Abstract
The completely passive levitation of a column-shaped graphite object is achieved. Graphite is a typical diamagnetic material. Diamagnetic materials have a property of generating repulsive force in magnetic field. Most diamagnetic levitation systems use high-oriented pyrolytic graphite (PG) sheets because sufficient force for levitation is obtained easily. In contrast, a column-shaped graphites are the target of levitation in this work. Experimental apparatus for diamagnetic levitation is fabricated. The apparatus uses a two-dimensional Halbach array made of cubic neodymium magnets. The magnetic fields in the apparatus are analyzed numerically and measured for comparison. It is shown that the stable diamagnetic levitation of a column-shaped graphite is achieved. The floator is fabricated by combining the pencil leads made of graphite. The diamagnetic forces acting on the floator are measured. In addition, the effects of anisotropy of graphite on the levitation characteristics are discussed.
