Basic study on a magnetically levitated conveyor based on guiding by partial magnetization of a high-Tc superconductor

A guiding mechanism for a magnetic levitated conveyor using a high temperature superconductor is reported in this paper. We focused on millimeter and centimeter components size of the superconductor and the levitating magnet. The magnetic guide is formed on the superconductor, which was made by Melt Powder Melt growth (MPMG) method, by partially magnetizing it with the magnets of the stick and ring shapes. Then we put the levitating magnet on the superconductor. The magnet levitated 3mm above the superconductor stably. It was guided successfully along the pre-magnetized path. However, we found a problem that the levitating magnet tends to stay at one or a few points along the magnetic guiding path. We report experimental results and the consideration of this phenomenon.