A nanoindenter that includes an interferometer, a rod, a force actuator and a controller is disclosed. The interferometer generates a light beam that is reflected from a moveable reflector, the interferometer determining a distance between a reference location and the moveable reflector. The rod is characterized by a rod axis and includes a tip on a first end thereof, the rod includes the moveable reflector at a location proximate to the tip. The tip is disposed in a manner that allows the tip to be forced against the surface of a sample. The force actuator applies a force to the rod in a direction parallel to the rod axis in response to a force control signal coupled to the actuator. The controller receives the determined distance from the interferometer and generates the force control signal. The invention can also be used as a scanning probe microscope.