TWO AXIS ELECTROMAGNETIC ACTUATOR

A two axis electromagnetic actuator is designed for moving an optical element in an optical or magneto-optical recorder. The actuator has balanced, crossed, electro-magnetic coil structures supported by two sets of leaf springs (6A, 6B and 7A, 7B) and positioned in dual air gaps for motion in a direction which is the vector sum of the movement in two orthogonal directions (x, y). In the actuator the motive forces and the masses of the moving elements are centered on the axis of major motion (x). Also leaf springs, that allow the major motion, have their forces balanced about the axis of major motion.