Ideally a file format should be self-describing. Some existing data file formats include…
Spectrum-focussed
- JCAMP-DX
- Thermo Galactic SPC which can accomodate multiple spectra and images
- ISO 14976:1998, the so-called VAMAS format
- ISO 22048:2004 in conjunction with ISO 14976:1998 to accommodate a non-linear x-axis as found in ToF-SIMS
Hyperspectral image-focussed
- imzML for MALDI/DESI and SIMS
Other formats that could be explored include
Open questions
- Which software packages can write these formats?
- Which software packages can read these formats?