An XML-hierarchical data structure for ENSDF

Abstract

A data structure based on an eXtensible Markup Language (XML) hierarchy according to experimental nuclear structure data in the Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File (ENSDF) is presented. A Python-coded translator has been developed to interpret the standard one-card records of the ENSDF datasets, together with their associated quantities defined according to field position, and generate corresponding representative XML output. The quantities belonging to this mixed-record format are described in the ENSDF manual. Of the 16 ENSDF records in total, XML output has been successfully generated for 15 records. An XML-translation for the Comment Record is yet to be implemented; this will be considered in a separate phase of the overall translation effort. Continuation records, not yet implemented, will also be treated in a future phase of this work. Several examples are presented in this document to illustrate the XML schema and methods for handling the various ENSDF data types. However, the proposed nomenclature for the XML elements and attributes need not necessarily be considered as a fixed set of constructs. Indeed, better conventions may be suggested and a consensus can be achieved amongst the various groups of people interested in this project. The main purpose here is to present an initial phase of the translation effort to demonstrate the feasibility of interpreting ENSDF datasets and creating a representative XML-structured hierarchy for data storage.