Mathematica ® in the Laboratory

How to use Mathematica to control laboratory experiments and analyse data.

Samuel Dick (Author), Alfred Riddle (Author), Douglas Stein (Author)

9780521581370, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 May 1997

340 pages, 127 b/w illus. 5 tables
26 x 18.4 x 2.3 cm, 0.85 kg

'The present book is a welcome addition to the rather small class covering how to do things in general with the package. It is the first I have encountered that deals in detail with connecting Mathematica to the outside world of other computers and controllable equipment … I recommend this book to all Mathematica fans, and also to anyone not yet addicted who has an instrument-control problem to solve.' Charles Jenkins, The Observatory

Mathematica® in the Laboratory is a hands-on guide which shows how to harness the power and flexibility of Mathematica in the control of data-acquisition equipment and the analysis of experimental data. It explains how to use Mathematica to import, manipulate, visualise and analyse data from existing files. The generation and export of test data are also covered. The control of laboratory equipment is dealt with in detail, including the use of Mathematica's MathLink® system in instrument control, data processing, and interfacing. Many practical examples are given, which can either be used directly or adapted to suit a particular application. The book sets out clearly how Mathematica can provide a truly unified data-handling environment, and will be invaluable to anyone who collects or analyses experimental data, including astronomers, biologists, chemists, mathematicians, geologists, physicists and engineers. The book is fully compatible with Mathematica 3.0.

1. Importing data from files
2. Visualizing data
3. Data analysis
4. Generating test data
5. Exporting data
6. Introduction to instrument control and data acquisition
7. Understanding MathLink
8. Interfacing I: a simple serial link
9. Interfacing II: more advanced links
10. Interface hardware design
Appendix.

Subject Areas: Physics [PH]