PyPDT 0.2.2

Particle data table functions (cf. HepPDT)

HepPDT has no native Python interface, and it is not easy to naturally wrap its C++ interface for Python, so PyPDT is written from scratch in Python, with a lighter class count than the original: it’s just a convenience interface to a small ASCII data file, so who needs lots of classes?

Examples:

>>> tbl = pypdt.ParticleDataTable('particle.tbl')
>>> # or tbl = pypdt.ParticleDataTable() # to read from AFS default db
>>> # or tbl = pypdt.PDT() # if you prefer minimal keystrokes to clarity :)
>>> print tbl[13] # print a summary of muon information
>>> tbl[6].mass # access the top mass in GeV
>>> tbl[23].width # access the Z width in GeV
>>> tbl[310].lifetime # access the K0S lifetime in ps
>>> tbl[310].ctau # access the K0S lifetime in mm
>>> tbl[310].mean_disp(10.) # get the mean flight distance of a 10 GeV K0S in mm
>>> print sorted((p.ctau, id) for id, p in tbl) # list all particle ctaus in asc order

The world is your bivalve of choice…

For maximum convenience, you can even use PyPDT from the command line:

$ python -m pypdt 13 310 mu^-: ID=13, m=1.06e-01 GeV, 3*q=-3, width=9.99e-19 GeV, tau=6.59e+05 ps, ctau=1.97e+05 mm K_S^0: ID=310, m=4.98e-01 GeV, 3*q=0, width=2.46e-14 GeV, tau=2.68e+01 ps, ctau=8.02e+00 mm

(If /afs/cern.ch is not present, add -f path/to/my/particle.tbl to the above.)

Particle ID functions (cf. HepPID)

PyPDT also contains Python versions of the HepPID library of functions for interpreting particle ID codes in the PDG scheme. The code of these functions has been directly translated to Python from HepPID’s ParticleIdMethods – please notify the author of this package in case of inaccuracies or evolution of the PID scheme.

Examples:

>>> pypdt.isSUSY(2010011)
True

TODO:

• Add PID functions to the ParticleData class

• Use doctest