Indra — USAXS instrument data reduction (Igor Pro)

These are tools for data reduction of data from the USAXS instrument at the 12-ID-E beamline. There are two options: the Igor Pro-based Indra, described here, and the Python-based Matilda.

Indra is a set of data reduction macros for Igor Pro 9.x and 10.x from Wavemetrics, Inc. Note that Indra also requires Nika installed for SAXS and WAXS reduction.

Prefer Python? Matilda (currently BETA v0.2.0) is the Python tool used at the beamline for automated data reduction during experiments. It provides GUIs for data reduction and sample plate setup, appends reduced data in NXcanSAS format to the original instrument HDF5 files, and its output can be used directly in pyIrena, SasView, or imported into Igor Pro via Indra for Irena use. See the Matilda page for details — and please report any issues with it.

Current version and installation

Current version: Indra 2.05, released 6/21/2026 (June2026 release). Current beta version: n/a.

USAXS users with data from 2025-03 or later need the June2026 release.

Igor Pro 9.05 and 10.x

Download the GitHub installer and install the Indra/Irena/Nika packages. YouTube movie instructions show reducing USAXS fly scan data as well as SAXS and WAXS and merging them together.

Osmic/Rigaku desktop USAXS instruments

Starting with version 1.40, these macros also support Osmic/Rigaku desktop USAXS instrument data — specifically the "new" data format they provided to me on 4/1/2006. The old data format should work with limitations; I do not plan to add better support for it, since it is very unstable and varies from installation to installation — request an update of the instrument software from the manufacturer. Please note that I have no relationship with Osmic/Rigaku: I support data from this instrument only on an as-is basis, with no warranties regarding the functionality of my software or its results, and will provide bug fixing and user support related to my macros only on a limited basis. I have no experience with the Osmic/Rigaku instrument and am not in any way responsible for support of their instrumentation.

Macros modification

While users are welcome to customize the macros for their own use, I do not suggest extensive modifications. I am open to suggestions for modifications and updates of these macros by myself — especially if I find such a modification useful for a wider range of users, I will be happy to modify the macros in any useful manner. I strongly urge anyone interested in other or different uses of these macros to contact me, and I will try to provide at least guidance and help toward a successful project.

Reporting bugs

Please send as complete a description of the problem as you can to [email protected]. If at all possible, attach the Igor file in question, saved immediately after the problem occurred. Include the release number of the Indra macros you are using (suggestion: try updating the macros to the last released version before reporting a bug — it may have been fixed in the meantime). Include as complete a list of steps leading to the problem as possible.

Help

I generally provide help to users, and as long as the help requests do not overload me, I will continue to do so. However, please read the manual first if things do not work — the answer may be there.

Questions? E-mail [email protected].