The Origin software is a general, but very powerful data analysis and graphing software. The functions included in our NLSF are in many cases the most general forms of those functions. This allows the fitting function to apply to a broad range of scientific disciplines. The function called Boltzmann falls into this mold.
Furthermore, our form of the Boltzmann does indeed use a parameter called "dx". This parameter is termed the "time constant" or "width". Regardless of what it is called, if you simulate our Boltzmann using the NLSF Simulate feature, you will see that "dx" inversely affects the slope of the curve around x0 (the inflection point). Unfortunately, this affect is not perfectly 1/dx since the "dx" term lies buried in an exponential term. Without being an electrophysiologist, that is about as much as I can tell you.
If this does not quite answer your question, you might consider contacting Axon Instruments, a leader in the acquisition and analysis of electrophysiology data. Their technical support e-mail address is tech@axon.com.
I should also remind you that you could easily define your own fitting function in our NLSF. This would allow you to define it in exactly the same way as you see it in the electrophysiology field. The parameters in the equation would therefore mean exactly what you want them to mean!
I hope this information is helpful.
Sincerely, Ryan Toomey Technical Support OriginLab Corporation
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