readPTU: a Python Library to Analyse Time Tagged Time Resolved Data

Abstract: readPTU is a python package designed to analyze time-correlated single-photon counting data. The use of the library promotes the storage of the complete time arrival information of the photons and full flexibility in post-processing data for analysis. The library supports the computation of time resolved signal with external triggers and second order autocorrelation function analysis can be performed using multiple algorithms that provide the user with different trade-offs with regards to speed and accuracy. Additionally, a thresholding algorithm to perform time post-selection is also available. The library has been designed with performance and extensibility in mind to allow future users to implement support for additional file extensions and algorithms without having to deal with low level details. We demonstrate the performance of readPTU by analyzing the second-order autocorrelation function of the resonance fluorescence from a single quantum dot in a two-dimensional semiconductor.