Patent ID: 7444880

Claim:
A measurement system comprising: a loading sub-system comprising: a substantially rigid beam placed on a pivot, the pivot dividing the substantially rigid beam into a first portion and a second portion; a loading tip being directly connected with the first portion of the substantially rigid beam; and a load-control sub-system, a portion of the load-control sub-system connected with the second portion of the substantially rigid beam; and a displacement measurement sub-system for measuring a displacement of the substantially rigid beam; wherein the load-control system comprises: a first magnet connected with the second portion of the substantially rigid beam; and a solenoid located at a distance away from the first magnet, such that a force on the substantially rigid beam is varied by changing a current passed through the solenoid; wherein the displacement measurement sub-system comprises: a mirror connected with the first portion of the substantially rigid beam; a laser for applying a beam to the mirror and thus generating a reflected beam; and a position sensitive detector positioned to receive the reflected beam.