A target (110) for use in a laser desorption mass spectrometer is disclosed. The target (110) has at least one surface (112). wherein the surface (112) is covered at least partially with at least one layer (114), wherein the layer (114) is a hydrogen comprising, silicon-incorporated amorphous carbon (a-C:H:Si) layer (116), wherein the a-C:H:Si layer (116) comprises:



40 at. % to 80 at. % of carbon;
1 at. % to 20 at. % of hydrogen; and
10 at. % to 40 at. % of silicon.