DEVICE FOR DESORPTION SCANNING OF ANALYTE MATERIAL ON A SAMPLE SUPPORT

The invention relates to devices and methods for desorption scanning of analyte material deposited on a sample support, which can comprise the following mode of operation: (a) setting a position of the support to approach an impingement region onto which a beam is directed for local desorption of analyte material; (b) determining an actual position of the support after setting the position; (c) comparing the determined actual position with a target position of the support to determine any deviation; (d) adjusting a beam orientation, if a deviation is detected, so that the beam is directed onto the impingement region on the support that results when there is no deviation; (e) applying the beam to the impingement region to locally desorb analyte material and deliver it to an analyzer; and (f) checking whether a predetermined end condition is satisfied and, if not, repeating steps (a)-(e) for a subsequent non-congruent impingement region.