Dear all, We are trying to investigate the influences of different experimental parameters of the ion ratios measured using our Thermo MAT253. Unfortunately we have not be able to find out the actually meaning of terms like 'R plate' or 'shield'. In the manual it is not mentioned what these (or any other) quantities does. So is there an exact description of the purpose of each of these? Cheers, Lukas ----------------------------------------------------------------- Lukas Flierl Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt PTB Metrology in Chemistry, 3.11 Bundesallee 100 38116 Braunschweig, Germany Tel. +49-531-592-3318 e-mail: [log in to unmask] web: www.ptb.de