Abstract: Methods for operating a mass spectrometer having a skimmer and a circuit configured to apply an electric potential to the skimmer comprise obtaining an initial mass spectrum of a sample and measuring a value indicating an ion beam intensity of one or more ion species. A varying DC electric potential is applied to the skimmer to identify an operational electric potential, wherein the DC electric potential is varied until the value indicating the ion beam intensity of the one or more ion species changes by a predetermined amount. The mass spectrum with the operational electric potential applied to the skimmer is output. In some examples, a pressure within the mass spectrometer is varied to identify an operational pressure, and the mass spectrum with the pressure within the mass spectrometer at the operational pressure is output.

Abstract: An encapsulated MEMS device and a method for manufacturing the MEMS device are provided. The method comprises providing a cavity structure having an inner volume comprising a plurality of MEMS elements, which are relatively displaceable with respect to each other, and having an opening structure to the inner volume, depositing a Self-Assembled Monolayer (SAM) through the opening structure onto exposed surfaces within the inner volume of the cavity structure, and closing the cavity structure by applying a layer structure on the opening structure for providing a hermetically closed cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasonically determining fluid flow passing through a measurement section includes a tube which has two ends and an average predetermined inner cross-sectional area; the tube constitutes the measurement section. A sound-emitting transducer is disposed near one end of the tube, which has a first sound-transfer surface, and a sound-receiving transducer disposed near the other end of the tube, which has a second sound transfer surface. Each sound transfer surface is disposed at a sufficiently large predetermined distance from a corresponding end of the tube, so as to permit the fluid flowing through the tube. A fluid-receiving chamber communicates with the one end of the tube, and has a first average cross-sectional area, and a fluid-discharge chamber communicates with the other end of the tube, and has a second average cross-sectional area.