Nanomechanical testing system

A method for selectively aligning and testing one or more testing locations with an instrument, the method comprising:

• coupling a sample on a sample stage of a testing system, the sample includes one or more testing locations spaced apart on the sample, wherein the testing system includes:
• an instrument configured for one or more of testing or observation of the sample, and
• the sample stage;
• aligning a testing location of the one or more testing locations with the instrument, aligning the testing location includes:
• rotating the sample stage and the testing location toward alignment with a working region of the instrument,
• translating the sample stage and the testing location toward alignment with the working region of the testing instrument, and
• wherein the sample stage is rotated and translated within a sample stage footprint bounded by outermost perimeter surfaces of the sample stage relative to the instrument in a plurality of orientations configured to selectively align the instrument with substantially the entire surface area of the sample stage;
• and
• testing the testing location of the one or more testing locations with the instrument.

A method for initializing a testing system comprising:

• positioning a sample coupled with a sample stage in alignment with an instrument, wherein the sample stage is configured for translational and rotational movement relative to a base;
• deformably marking the sample with marks at at least first, second and third marking locations with the instrument;
• rotating the sample a specified angle measure between each marking of the sample at the first, second and third marking locations, wherein the sample stage and the sample are translationally static relative to the base;
• and
• determining the center of rotation of the sample stage from a circle having a perimeter coincident with at least the markings at the first, second and third marking locations, the center of rotation coincident to a center of the circle.