Vibration isolation with magnet springs

We describe a vibration isolation apparatus where four couples of repelling magnets ensure the loading force to a suspended table. This table is mechanically confined within its otherwise unstable equilibrium position with four ball bearings connected to the table and sliding along four vertical shafts. The vibration isolation efficiency of this device is excellent and its performances can be directly compared to those attained with state of the art optical tables at a fraction of their cost and weight. Another advantage is that no external supply of energy or compressed air is needed. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.