A simple “embedded” reasoning inference engine with application example in the X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

In the field of experimental data acquisition and evaluation need rises for using some kind of “expert system” in order to provide support for sophisticated instruments and data evaluation applications. Different external expert system shells served as the basis for previous attempts to develop an expert system for such goals in the X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The paper presents a simple reasoning expert system engine, which can be built directly into data acquisition and evaluation software. Some problems arising due to the lack of human intelligence in the inferencing process are also discussed. The feasibility of the realized system is demonstrated through implementing a real-life rule set, an example (the carbon contamination rules) taken from the field of XPS. Apart from the field-specific rules, the package can be used on any field.