Device for desorption scanning of analyte material on a sample support

A device for desorption scanning of analyte material deposited on a sample support, comprising:

• a beam device arranged and configured to direct a beam that locally desorbs analyte material onto an impingement region on the sample support;
• an interface arranged and configured to receive locally desorbed analyte material and deliver it to an analysis device;
• a translation device arranged and configured to vary a position of the sample support relative to the interface in order to approach different predetermined non-congruent impingement regions;
• a position monitoring device arranged at or near the translation device and configured to collect data for determining an actual position of the sample support;
• and
• a control system arranged and configured to communicate with, control and coordinate the operation of the beam device, the translation device and the position monitoring device, wherein the control system coordinates the operation of the beam device and the translation device such that each impingement region is arranged so that locally desorbed analyte material can be received by the interface,
• wherein the control system detects any deviation of the actual position from a desired position of the sample support using the data of the position monitoring device, and if such a deviation is detected, the control system derives an adjustment of a beam orientation therefrom so that the beam is directed onto an impingement region that results when no deviation is present.