This has been achieved, in part, by improvements in ionization and mass analysis techniques concurrently with large-scale DNA sequencing of whole genomes. When the laser strikes the matrix crystals, energy deposition is though to cause rapid heating of the sample-crystals brought about by matrix molecules emitting absorbed energy in the form of heat. Ions are accelerated into the flight tube by accelerating voltage.
Video camera displaying a real time sample image allows precise focusing of laser beam.