Abstract: An electric machine (2) comprising a first functional part (4) with a permanently magnetic excitation system (12) and a second functional part (6) with a conductor system (10), the first functional part (4) and the second functional part (6) being movable relative to each other along the active area (24) of an air gap. The first functional part (4) comprises--as seen progressively in the direction of relative movement (32)--an alternating sequence of permanent magnets (12) magnetized in the direction of relative movement (32), and of magnetically conductive material portions (14). The magnetically conductive material portions (14) each have--facing the active area (24)--a magnetic flux outlet area (22) which is smaller than the sum of the magnetic flux cross-sectional areas (21) of the two adjacent permanent magnets (12), so that the magnetic flux of the permanent magnets (12) is concentrated for the active area (24).