Abstract: Positioning device having a first part (1) which is movable relative to a second part (2) in a X and Y-direction, said first part (1) comprising a carrier (5) on which a system of magnets (3) is arranged in a pattern of rows (7) and columns (8) parallel to the X- and Y-direction, respectively. The magnets in each row and column are arranged in a Halbach array, i.e. the magnetic orientation of each successive magnet in each row (7) and each column (8) is rotated through 90° counter-clockwise. The second part (2) comprises an electric coil system (4) with two types of electric coils (C1, C2), one type having an angular offset of +45° and the other type having an offset of ?45° with respect to the X-direction. The magnet configuration causes a very strong magnetic field.

Abstract: Positioning device having a first part (1) which is movable relative to a second part (2) in a X and Y-direction, said first part (1) comprising a carrier (5) on which a system of magnets (3) is arranged in a pattern of rows (7) and columns (8) parallel to the X- and Y-direction, respectively. The magnets in each row and column are arranged in a Halbach array, i.e. the magnetic orientation of each successive magnet in each row (7) and each column (8) is rotated through 90° counter-clockwise. The second part (2) comprises an electric coil system (4) with two types of electric coils (C1, C2), one type having an angular offset of +45° and the other type having an offset of −45° with respect to the X-direction. The magnet configuration causes a very strong magnetic field.