Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for directing a radiation beam (504, 606) in a desired direction. There is provided a movable member (10) supported for movement by a fixed member (40) and the movable member has an optical element, e.g a flat mirror (30) fixedly attached thereto. In one embodiment the mirror scans a radiation beam incident thereon in one plane. In a second embodiment, the radiation beam is scanned in two mutually perpendicular planes. A magnetic element (50) having a north and a south magnetic pole is fixedly attached to the movable member (10). A magnetically permeable stator element (70) that is stationary with respect to the movable member (10) and the magnetic element (50) is placed in the field of the magnetic element such that the stator element and said magnetic element mutually generate a magnetic traction force between them.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for directing a radiation beam (504, 606) in a desired direction. There is provided a movable member (10) supported for movement by a fixed member (40) and the movable member has an optical element, e.g a flat mirror (30) fixedly attached thereto. In one embodiment the mirror scans a radiation beam incident thereon in one plane. In a second embodiment, the radiation beam is scanned in two mutually perpendicular planes. A magnetic element (50) having a north and a south magnetic pole is fixedly attached to the movable member (10). A magnetically permeable stator element (70) that is stationary with respect to the movable member (10) and the magnetic element (50) is placed in the field of the magnetic element such that the stator element and said magnetic element mutually generate a magnetic traction force between them.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for directing an optical beam by a movable optical element and especially in a free space optical switch. The control element (5) comprises a movable member (10) including an optical element such as a mirror (30) fixedly attached thereto and supported for movement by a fixed member (40). A magnetic element (50) is fixedly attached to the movable member (10) and a magnetically permeable stator element (70) is provided fixedly attached to the fixed member (40). The stator element (70) and the magnetic element (50) mutually generate a magnetic traction force between them for substantially holding the movable member (10) in a stationary position during periods when it is not moving. The stator element (70) is provided with current coils (60) wound around portions thereof and connected with a current driver (400) for providing a controlled current in the stator coils. The current in the coils is provided to induce an electromagnetic force in the stator element (70).