This manual has been written by Pedro García-Lario, Bruno Merin, Miguel Sánchez-Portal and Mark Kidger (who acted as overall editor) and based on a structure initially produced by Timo Prusti, with additional inputs from Eva Verdugo and Asier Abreu.

The input of the instrument calibration scientists at the Herschel Science Centre and of Laurence O'Rourke has been fundamental in preparing this document and checking the information presented here. Several Herschel Science Team members made careful and thoughtful comments on the contents of the document at various stages - their time and effort was greatly appreciated.