The official publication of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, the journal is devoted to the rapid publication of comprehensive original research papers covering all aspects of mass spectrometry. Papers from all fields of scientific inquiry in which mass spectrometry can play a role are considered. These fields include chemistry, physics, geology, and environmental science as well as the biological, health, and life sciences. The journal publishes papers on both fundamentals and applications. Fundamental subjects include instrumental principles, design, and demonstration, structures and chemical properties of gas-phase ions, studies of thermodynamic properties, ion spectroscopy, chemical kinetics, mechanisms of ionization, theories of ion fragmentation, cluster ions, and potential energy surfaces. Application papers focus primarily on the development or validation of a mass spectrometric method. Papers describing computer developments are also considered. Short Communications and Brief Accounts of Research are regular features of the journal. If you would like more information on JASMS please visit JASMS Online homepage at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jasmsonline