how to input array into Poisson Probability distribution?

Given an array data for single photon count, [1,100], how do I input such data into a Poisson distribution function? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poisson_distribution

The aim is to check if the noise emanating from single photon count is indeed Poisson. Thank you!

Answer 1

[Star Strider]

I am not certain I understand exactly what you want to do, but fitting your data with poissfit, or histfit specifying the 'poisson' distribution, will likely provide you with the information you want.

[Star Strider]

Georgina’s first Answer moved here:

Hello Star Strider,

Thank you for your kind reply! I will try to summarize my problem: I have a set of data which corresponds to photon counts over ~ 1000 bins corresponding to 15 min. runs taken by a photodiode I've operated.

While, it is normally understood that the probability distribution is Poisson for photon counts, I'd like to see it that it is so. Thus, given a Poisson distribution such as that mentioned in Matlab under 'definition' associated to poissfit, I wonder 'how' given the data I described above, I could show to myself that the photon counts obtained are indeed of Poisson nature?

Thank you!

[Star Strider]

Georgina’s second Answer moved here:

BTW, what I mean by 'given a Poisson distribution such as that mentioned in Matlab under 'definition' associated to poissfit, I wonder 'how' given the data I described above' is given what is understood as a Poisson distribution - also described in wiki under definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poisson_distribution

Thank you!

[Star Strider]

My pleasure!

I’m not sure what you mean by ‘bins’, but I assume they are the numbers of photons counted in each 15 minute observation period. So I would create a vector the photon counts in each of your 1000 15-minute observation periods and use that vector as the data argument to (preferably) histfit, specifying the 'poisson' option, since it will also give you a graphical representation of the distribution of your data.