Preparing raw acquisitions

Some TOFWERK TOFexplorer .h5 files contain raw TOF detection events but no integrated ion maps. This is typically the case if the raw acquisition has never been analyzed in TOFexplorer, which adds information about integrated peak windows into the file. ToFScope can still read these “raw” files and prepare a new copy by integrating the peak windows recorded in the file. The original acquisition remains unchanged.

Prepare a copy

When you open a raw acquisition without ion maps, ToFScope shows a preparation preview before starting:

  1. Review the number of peak windows and frames and the required free space. Preparation can take several minutes, and the final size depends on compression.
  2. Check or change the prepared filename and review the displayed destination folder.
  3. Select Prepare and open to create and open the copy, or Back to files to return without preparing it. Progress and cancellation controls are shown while preparation is running.
Raw acquisition preparation preview with the number of windows and frames, required space, prepared filename, destination, and Prepare and open button.
The preparation preview describes the work, space required, and destination before creating a copy.

The prepared copy retains raw events and metadata. If the file lacks timing or channel metadata, the preview describes the fallback assumptions; continue only if they are appropriate for the acquisition, because incorrect assumptions can produce incorrect counts.

Understand the limits

Only channels present in the raw peak table can be reconstructed automatically. Note: strict numerical equivalence with the commercial software is not guaranteed.