A method of separating a coated substrate , the method comprising: directing an infrared laser beam onto a first surface of the coated substrate wherein: the coated substrate comprises a coating layer disposed on a transparent workpiece ; a plurality of defects is disposed within the coated substrate , extending into both the coating layer and the transparent workpiece and disposed along a contour line that divides a primary region of the coated substrate from a dummy region of the coated substrate ; and the infrared laser beam projects an infrared beam spot onto the first surface of the coated substrate ; and characterized by : translating at least one of the coated substrate and the infrared laser beam relative to each other such that the infrared beam spot traces an oscillating pathway , wherein: the oscillating pathway follows an offset line in a translation direction and oscillates between an inner track line and an outer track line ; the oscillating pathway is disposed on the dummy region of the coated substrate ; and the infrared laser beam applies thermal energy to the plurality of defects disposed in the coated substrate and inducing separation of the coated substrate along the contour line . directing an infrared laser beam onto a first surface of the coated substrate wherein: the coated substrate comprises a coating layer disposed on a transparent workpiece ; a plurality of defects is disposed within the coated substrate , extending into both the coating layer and the transparent workpiece and disposed along a contour line that divides a primary region of the coated substrate from a dummy region of the coated substrate ; and the infrared laser beam projects an infrared beam spot onto the first surface of the coated substrate ; and characterized by : the coated substrate comprises a coating layer disposed on a transparent workpiece ; a plurality of defects is disposed within the coated substrate , extending into both the coating layer and the transparent workpiece and disposed along a contour line that divides a primary region of the coated substrate from a dummy region of the coated substrate ; and the infrared laser beam projects an infrared beam spot onto the first surface of the coated substrate ; and characterized by : translating at least one of the coated substrate and the infrared laser beam relative to each other such that the infrared beam spot traces an oscillating pathway , wherein: the oscillating pathway follows an offset line in a translation direction and oscillates between an inner track line and an outer track line ; the oscillating pathway is disposed on the dummy region of the coated substrate ; and the infrared laser beam applies thermal energy to the plurality of defects disposed in the coated substrate and inducing separation of the coated substrate along the contour line . the oscillating pathway follows an offset line in a translation direction and oscillates between an inner track line and an outer track line ; the oscillating pathway is disposed on the dummy region of the coated substrate ; and the infrared laser beam applies thermal energy to the plurality of defects disposed in the coated substrate and inducing separation of the coated substrate along the contour line . <EOS>