in relation with a laser - induced transport process of an object from a carrier to a collecting device , the invention provides a collecting medium in the collecting device in a liquid state . prior to the laser - induced transport process , the object is separated from a mass on the carrier by laser irradiation . after the laser - induced transport process , the object , thus selected and separated , is transferred together with the collecting medium to a destination , for example , a container , for further treatment . to this end , a manipulation system for liquids is provided , the system permitting manipulation of the collecting medium with the object contained therein with a high degree of reliability and a high throughput .