1. Stability of Levitrons
- Author
-
Holger R. Dullin and Robert W. Easton
- Subjects
Applied Mathematics ,Computational Mechanics ,Exact theory ,Statistical and Nonlinear Physics ,Constant field ,Condensed Matter Physics ,Levitron ,Adiabatic theorem ,symbols.namesake ,Classical mechanics ,Magnet ,Levitation ,symbols ,Six degrees of freedom ,Hamiltonian (quantum mechanics) ,Spinning ,Mathematics - Abstract
The Levitron is a magnetic spinning top which can levitate in the constant field of a repelling base magnet. An explanation for the stability of the Levitron using an adiabatic approximation has been given by Berry. In experiments the top eventually loses stability at a critical spin rate which cannot be predicted by Berry’s approach. The present work develops an exact theory of the Levitron with six degrees of freedom which allows for the calculation of critical spin rates. The main result is a complete classification of possible Levitrons that allow for an interval of stable spin rates. Stability of the relative equilibrium is lost in Hamiltonian Hopf bifurcations if either the spin rate is too large or too small.
- Published
- 1999