[New Feature] repeated 1D scans

[qku]

Feature Description

Extend the functionality of the scanning-probe toolchain to allow for repeated 1D scans.

Specifically, any hardware implementing the ScanningProbeInterface should accept instructions to perform a predefined number of forwards-backwards scans of a single axis. Taking the NI interfuse as an example, a single jump list comprising all repetitions should be sent to the hardware. This enables hardware timing and avoids software-timed loops.

Additionally, an option should be included to include a break in between line scans. This could be extended to doing something in the break, e.g. sending out a hardware trigger.

Related Problem

This feature would be useful for photo-luminescence excitation measurements. Here, a single axis (a voltage sweeping a laser frequency) is commonly scanned repeatedly. Sometimes a pulse from a different laser is required in between scans.

Considered Alternatives

Use a software loop to perform a repeated 1D scan. This was done in the past for the laser scanner in old qudi.

Drawbacks include:

• complete set of scans is slower as breaks in between are required to reinitalize arrays etc.
• time in between scans is software-timed and therefore not necessarily consistent
• must be implemented for each logic separately

Additional Context

No response

Contact Details

No response

[qku]

At the moment, there are basically two scanning modes:

• a 1D scan: a single forwards-backwards scan of a single axis
• a 2D scan: multiple forwards-backwards scans of a fast axis while stepping a slow axis in between

We basically need to introduce a third mode which is essentially like a 2D scan but without stepping a slow axis.

[qku]

@LukePiewalker As the bare minimum, we could add the following attributes to ScanSettings (as in #97):

• repetitions: int which defaults to 1
• rest: float which defaults to 0, indicating the time (in s) to pause in between scans

To make it clear what kind of scan is wanted, we could introduce e.g. an enum to replace ScanSettings.scan_dimension like

class ScanMode(Enum):
    SINGLE_AXIS: 0
    TWO_AXES: 1
    SINGLE_AXIS_REPEATED: 2

This could make it easier for logic etc. to check if they actually support this scan mode, i.e. they can display / process the data.

[qku]

This functionality is very specific to laser scanning and not so relevant for confocal scans. Therefore it might not make sense to include that here.