Realization of a Diamagnetically Levitating Rotor Driven by Electrostatic Field

In this paper, a novel configuration of frictionless diamagnetic levitation combined with electrostatic glass motor is presented. A 12.5 mm diameter disc shaped rotor comprised of pyrolytic graphite and glass is fabricated. The rotor disc is levitated stably by the diamagnetic field in five degrees of freedom and driven by the rotating electrostatic field. It is the first time that the combination of both functions is realized. The main advantages of the proposed novel system are noncontact levitation, low energy consumption, and simplicity, which may find promising applications in the fields of spacecraft attitude control (micro gyroscope) or ultrahigh vacuum environment technology (optical trap etc.).