A method of examining a sample using a spectroscopic apparatus, comprising the following steps: Mounting the sample on a sample holder; Directing a focused input beam of radiation onto a location on the sample, thereby producing an interaction that causes a flux of stimulated photonic radiation to emanate from said location; Examining said flux using a multi-channel photon-counting detector, thus accruing a measured spectrum for said location; Automatically repeating said directing and examining steps for a series of successive locations on the sample, which method comprises the following steps: Choosing a beam parameter of the input beam that will influence a magnitude of said flux of stimulated photonic radiation; For each location within a first set of locations on the sample, accruing a spectrum using a first value of said beam parameter; For each location within a second set of locations on the sample, accruing a spectrum using a second value of said beam parameter, different from said first value.