Predictive link processing

A method of processing material of device elements by laser interaction is disclosed. According to one aspect, the method includes generating a pulsed laser processing output along a laser beam axis, the output including a plurality of laser pulses triggered sequentially at times determined by a pulse repetition rate. A trajectory relative to locations of device elements to be processed is generated. A position of one or more designated device elements relative to an intercept point position on the trajectory at one or more laser pulse times is determined, and a laser beam is deflected based on the predicted position within a predetermined deflection range. According to some aspects, the predetermined deflection range may correspond to a compass rose or cruciform field shape. As a result, a deflection accuracy for laser processing may be improved.