VAMDC Project

The standard model for exchange of data within VAMDC is a modified version of the International Atomic Energy Agency's XML Schema for Atoms, Molecules and Solids (XSAMS), commonly referred to as the VAMDC-XSAMS.

The overall structure of the schema consists of specifying physical processes in terms of states. Physical states of atoms, molecules, ions, elementary particles and solids are described as unambiguously as possible. States can be specified in any of a number of levels of detail and in different coupling schemes. Processes between states can be described using a reference to initial and final state, as well as a process type. The numerical data for processes can be tabulated, or presented in terms of parameters for a fitting procedure with provision for specifying the exact nature of the fitting function. Different types of differential cross sections as well as total cross sections can be accommodated. Finally, since the origin and history of the data are necessary for data assessment, the schema imposes strict requirements on the traceability of the data, with the mandatory inclusion of information on data sources and the methods used to generate specific sets of data.

Please refer to the documentation page for the current version of the data model and all relevant documentation.