Lateral restoring force on a magnet levitated above a superconductor

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Journal of Applied Physics; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.345470· OSTI ID:7243099

Davis, L C ^[1]

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1. Research Staff, Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan 48121-2053 (US)

The lateral restoring force on a magnet levitated above a superconductor is calculated as a function of displacement from its original position at rest using Bean's critical-state model to describe flux pinning. The force is linear for small displacements and saturates at large displacements. In the absence of edge effects the force always attracts the magnet to its original position. Thus it is a restoring force that contributes to the stability of the levitated magnet. In the case of a thick superconductor slab, the origin of the force is a magnetic dipole layer consisting of positive and negative supercurrents induced on the trailing side of the magnet. The qualitative behavior is consistent with experiments reported to date. Effects due to the finite thickness of the superconductor slab and the granular nature of high-{ital T}{sub {ital c}} materials are also considered.

• OSTI ID: 7243099
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics; (USA) Vol. 67:5; ISSN 0021-8979; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

656100* -- Condensed Matter Physics-- Superconductivity
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
DIPOLES
LAYERS
LEVITATION
MAGNETIC DIPOLES
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
MAGNETS
MULTIPOLES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
STABILITY
SUPERCONDUCTORS