Figure 2.

Photon-HDF5 file structure. The core photon_data group contains the raw data. A file containing only raw data is still a valid Photon-HDF5 file but it cannot be analyzed without additional information on what the data represents. The optional (but recommended) measurement_specs group identifies the type of measurement and specifies the associated metadata (i.e., role of each detector, measurement parameters, etc.). When measurement_spec is present, the user has all the information needed to analyze the data. The other groups enhance the data file legibility, providing important measurement metadata. setup contains information on the system used for acquisition (e.g., excitation wavelengths, laser power(s), CW or pulsed excitation, etc.). sample contains sample information (e.g., dyes, buffer, etc.). The last two groups, identity and provenance, provide author and file information. To see this figure in color, go online.