Magnetically bistable actuator Part 1. Ultra-low switching energy and modeling

The optimal design space for a bistable magnetic actuator with ultra-low actuation energy and large actuation distance (100 mu m) has been modeled. Attention was paid to minimizing the energy expended to minimize heat dissipation and power consumption so that the device could be used over a wide temperature range, including cryogenic environments. A more desirable switching regime existing for low magnetic fields (10 mT) was found that requires shorter pulses (microsecond versus millisecond) and lower actuation energy (< 5 mu J versus 100 mu J) than designs outside of this space. The device was modeled to latch in two states, based on the interaction of the magnetic actuator with an external magnetic field. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.