In an ion source that generates ions by matrix-assisted laser desorption, ion acceleration diaphragms having apertures though which ions are accelerated and which have become contaminated by matrix material, are cleaned by temporarily heating the diaphragms. In one example embodiment, a tilt sensor includes an electrically insulative housing, a conductive ball, and two opposing electrical contacts. The desired metal oxide or metal hydroxide nanocrystals can be pressed into pellets for use when a powder is not feasible. An audible alarm indicates that a protection device has absorbed an excessive energy. A determination unit uses the number of clock cycles of the clock signal during which the enable signal is at the predetermined value to determine the digital interface standard on which the data word transmitted during these clock cycles is based.