Magnetic levitation by rotation described by a new type of Levitron

Abstract

Recently, a novel magnetic levitation phenomenon involving two magnetically equivalent neodymium permanent magnets has been reported. In this work, we propose that this system functions as a scaled-up analog of the Levitron. The key distinction is that the ratio $m_{/}{\mu }_f$ becomes a function of the lateral displacement ${\delta }_R$, and magnetic trapping no longer depends on the rotational speed of the levitating body as in a conventional Levitron. Furthermore, we demonstrate that stable trapping occurs when a specific constraint on the ${\delta }_R$ parameter is satisfied, ensuring that the potential energy reaches a minimum at the equilibrium point.

arXiv comment24 pages, 11 figures, to appear in Physica Scripta