| name | adopted-vs-individual-dataset-comparison |
| description | Compare quantities (J-π, energies, half-lives, branching ratios) between Adopted ENSDF files and their source individual reaction datasets. Uses XREF notation to identify which datasets observe each level. Performs systematic character-by-character verification and generates mismatch reports with error categorization. CHECK-ONLY mode — reports findings without editing files. |
Adopted vs Individual Dataset Comparison
Purpose
Systematically verify that quantities in Adopted datasets match their source individual reaction datasets. Detect discrepancies between Adopted values and the experimental measurements that inform them.
Scope:
- Checks: J-π assignments, energies, half-lives, branching ratios, or other physical quantities
- Method: Character-by-character string matching (not numerical tolerance)
- Output: Tabular mismatch report with error categorization
- Validation: CHECK-ONLY mode — report findings without editing files
Prerequisites
- Understanding of ENSDF cross-reference (XREF) notation
- Access to both Adopted and individual reaction dataset files
- Python 3.8+ for automated comparison scripts (optional)
ENSDF Cross-Reference (XREF) System
XREF Notation
XREF lines identify which datasets observe a given level:
58MNX L XREF=ABDF
Interpretation:
- Dataset A observes this level
- Dataset B observes this level
- Dataset D observes this level
- Dataset F observes this level
Dataset Identifier Mapping
Each mass chain defines dataset identifiers in the header:
58MN XA58CR B- DECAY (7.0 S)
58MN XB58MN IT DECAY (65.4 S)
58MN XC48CA(13C,2NPG)
58MN XD58FE(T,3HE)
58MN XE238U(70ZN,XG)
58MN XF13C(48CA,P2NG),14C(48CA,P3NG)
Key identifier: First character after X (e.g., XD → identifier D)
Comparison Methodology
Step 1: Identify Levels from Target Dataset
Extract all levels from Adopted with XREF containing target identifier:
58MN L 183 10 1+
58MNX L XREF=D
Target dataset: D (58FE(T,3HE))
Adopted energy: 183 keV
Adopted J-π: 1+
Step 2: Match Levels by Energy
Find corresponding level in individual dataset:
Matching tolerance:
- Primary: Exact energy string match preferred
- Fallback: Within 20 keV for ambiguous cases
- Note energy differences in report
Step 3: Compare Quantities Character-by-Character
Critical: Use exact string matching, not numerical equivalence.
Example mismatches:
1+ ≠ (1+) (parentheses indicate tentative assignment)4+ ≠ (4)+ (different uncertainty encoding)3+,4+ ≠ (3,4)+ (comma placement and parentheses)1991.27 ≠ 1991.3 (decimal place mismatch)
J-π Assignment Conventions
Parentheses Encoding
| Notation | Meaning | Physical Interpretation |
|---|
1+ | Definite J and π | Firmly established |
(1+) | Tentative J and π | Both uncertain |
1(+) | Definite J, tentative π | J known, π uncertain |
(1)+ | Tentative J, definite π | J uncertain, π known |
(1,2)+ | Multiple possible J values | Common parity, uncertain J |
1+,2+ | Alternative assignments | Comma separates distinct options |
Comparison Rules
Exact match required: Every character including spaces, parentheses, commas, signs.
Common errors:
- Treating
4+ and (4)+ as equivalent (they are not)
- Ignoring comma placement:
3+,4+ ≠ (3,4)+
- Decimal precision:
1991 ≠ 1991.27
Error Classification
| Code | Severity | Description |
|---|
EXACT_MATCH | INFO | Quantities match character-for-character |
PARENTHESES_MISMATCH | ERROR | Tentative/definite encoding differs (e.g., 4+ vs (4)+) |
FORMAT_MISMATCH | ERROR | Notation style differs (e.g., 3+,4+ vs (3,4)+) |
VALUE_MISMATCH | ERROR | Numerical or textual content differs |
MISSING_IN_ADOPTED | ERROR | Individual dataset has value, Adopted blank |
MISSING_IN_INDIVIDUAL | ERROR | Adopted has value, individual dataset blank |
ENERGY_MISMATCH | WARNING | Level energy differs between datasets |
Workflow
Step 1: Identify Comparison Target
Determine which dataset to verify against:
grep "^.....X[A-Z]" Mn58_adopted.ens
Example output:
58MN XD58FE(T,3HE)
Target: Dataset D
Step 2: Extract Levels with Target XREF
Scan Adopted file for levels with XREF containing target identifier.
Step 3: Extract Corresponding Levels from Individual Dataset
Open individual reaction dataset and match by energy within 20 keV tolerance.
Step 4: Character-by-Character Comparison
Compare extracted quantities using exact string matching.
Step 5: Generate Report
Required columns:
- Energy (Adopted)
- Energy (Individual)
- Value (Adopted)
- Value (Individual)
- Match status
- Error type
- Notes
Step 6: Categorize and Summarize
Calculate statistics: total levels compared, exact matches, mismatches, error type distribution.
Output Format
Comparison Table
| E_Adopted | E_Individual | Value_Adopted | Value_Individual | Match? | Error Type | Notes |
|---|
| 183 | 183 | 1+ | 1+ | ✓ | — | — |
| 1470 | 1470 | (4)+ | 4+ | ✗ | PARENTHESES_MISMATCH | Tentative vs definite |
| 2259 | 2259 | (3,4)+ | 3+,4+ | ✗ | FORMAT_MISMATCH | Notational style differs |
Summary Statistics
Total levels: 27
Exact matches: 20 (74%)
Mismatches: 7 (26%)
Error type distribution:
PARENTHESES_MISMATCH: 2
FORMAT_MISMATCH: 5
Common Pitfalls
- Numerical tolerance matching: Do not accept "close enough" values — require exact string match
- Ignoring parentheses:
4+ ≠ (4)+ encodes different physical meaning (definite vs tentative)
- Energy window too wide: 20 keV tolerance for matching levels, but flag if difference >5 keV
- Assuming equivalence:
3+,4+ and (3,4)+ are different notations with distinct interpretations
- Decimal precision:
1991 ≠ 1991.27 even if numerically close
- XREF interpretation:
XREF=AD(303) means datasets A and D observe this level (303 indicates energy in dataset D)
- Missing systematic check: Verify all XREF=D levels, not just subset
Success Criteria
- All levels with target XREF identifier extracted from Adopted
- All corresponding levels found in individual dataset (energy matching)
- Character-by-character comparison performed for each level
- Mismatches categorized by error type
- Summary statistics calculated
- Findings documented in scannable table format
- Zero assumptions or guesses — all data verified from source files
