DRAG PRESSURES OF A SET OF ALTERNATING-POLARITY MAGNETS OVER A SUPERCONDUCTOR TILE

Drag pressures of a levitation mechanism are investigated. The levitation mechanism consists of a high-T(c) superconductor tile (type II superconductor) and a set of alternating-polarity bar magnets of the same size. Relationships of the drag pressure to the distance between the magnets and the superconductor tile and to the width of a bar magnet are investigated. The drag pressure becomes small rapidly with increasing distance. The drag pressure becomes large with the superconductor-magnets distance decreasing. If the distance is fixed there exist a width of a bar magnet providing a maximum drag pressure. The drag pressure is also measured when the superconductor is moved in the direction of the alternating polarity.