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XML standard for reduced small-angle scattering data with multi-dimensional data

Key Points so far

with the 1D format agreed, we should look at 2D data
we should also consider how different we are from NeXus and then why
We must address data beyond simple 2D detector patterns (multi-dimensional data)
- kinetic/time-resolved stuff (frames, periods, whatever you call them),
- other experiments where data is being collected as a function of some variable (temperature, pH, or whatever)
quite happy to abandon human-readability ... even prepared to consider binary storage!
We have benefited a little from [the NeXus] instrument dictionary.
The time is now ripe to show the use of HDF for storing multi-dimensional data, only using pure HDF5.
Regarding the cansas1d/1.0 XML format:
- table structure used in the 1D format is quite 'tag-heavy' and just will not extend easily.
- takes a little bit more work to extract the I(Q) data into vectors for use in processing or analysis software.
For multi-dimensional data in XML, rather than create anew, I chose to model the data structures from a popular commercial application.