the present invention provides a method of marking or inscribing a workpiece with high - energy radiation , more particularly with a laser beam , the workpiece being transparent for the radiation wavelength , and a polymer matrix being disposed in the vicinity of the workpiece in such a way that the radiation passes through the workpiece before it impinges on the polymer matrix , characterized in that disposed between the polymer matrix and the workpiece is a film of liquid which is in contact with the polymer matrix and with the workpiece .