https://github.com/ssesselmann/impulseqt
Complete Refactor of Impulse
https://github.com/ssesselmann/impulseqt
Last synced: about 1 month ago
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Complete Refactor of Impulse
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/ssesselmann/impulseqt
- Owner: ssesselmann
- Created: 2025-06-22T23:15:19.000Z (12 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2026-05-06T03:00:24.000Z (about 1 month ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-05-06T03:14:42.023Z (about 1 month ago)
- Language: Python
- Size: 5.75 MB
- Stars: 7
- Watchers: 0
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
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Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
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README
# ImpulseQt
**ImpulseQt — A Complete Refactor of Impulse**
Impulse started as an experiment: could a Multi-Channel Analyzer (MCA) be written in Python using Dash-Plotly to run in a browser? It worked — but many users found it slow and unresponsive. This was mostly due to the Dash-Plotly GUI, which is great for static plots but not ideal for dynamic, real-time applications like a continuously updating MCA.
So I rewrote the program using **PySide6** for the front-end GUI. The result? A smaller app bundle, a faster and more responsive interface — and best of all, the program now actually quits cleanly when you close the window!
---
### **Multi-Device Support**
Just like the original Impulse, **ImpulseQt** supports **multiple hardware types**. It operates in two modes:
- **Sound card spectrometers** such as *GammaSpectacular* and *Theremino*
- **USB MCAs** including *Atom Spectrometers* and *GS-MAX*
While the GUI is shared, each device type uses its own dedicated engine under the hood.
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### **Multi-Platform**
ImpulseQt is written in Python and compiled for **Windows** and **macOS**. (Yes, there are a few of us Mac users in the scientific world!)
**Linux** users can run it directly from source.
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### **Open Source**
ImpulseQt is open source under the **MIT License** — which means you're free to copy, modify, fork, or even steal it.
Just be respectful, and remember the **hundreds of hours** I spent designing, coding, and debugging this software.
---
### **Feedback**
Your feedback is appreciated, it shapes future versions!
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### **Installing**
You **don’t need Python installed**. ImpulseQt comes bundled as a standalone executable that includes everything it needs to run.
On first launch, it creates a folder:
C:\Users\Username\ImpulseQtData
This is where it stores:
- isotope libraries
- your recorded files
- custom settings
On Windows, it also writes logs and settings to:
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\ImpulseQt\logs\impulse.log
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\ImpulseQt\settings
---
### **Downloading**
Download the latest release here:
👉 https://github.com/ssesselmann/ImpulseQt/releases
---
### **Thank You**
Thank you for downloading **ImpulseQt**. I hope it helps with your experiments — and maybe even contributes to real science. If you end up publishing your work, I’d be grateful if you gave ImpulseQt a mention.
**Steven Sesselmann**
Sydney, NSW, Australia
https://www.GammaSpectacular.com