Linear motor and operating method thereof

A linear motor includes a stator and a rotor that is axially moveable relative to the stator, wherein the rotor is permanently excited by a rotor magnetic field which is periodic with a first period length (PP) along its longitudinal axis, wherein the linear motor comprises a position detection device, which is designed to detect a position of the rotor in relation to the stator, wherein the position detection device comprises at least a first magnetic field sensor (S1) and a second magnetic field sensor (S2), wherein the first magnetic field sensor (S1) and the second magnetic field sensor (S2) are arranged on the stator spaced apart from each other by a first distance (d1) along the longitudinal axis of the rotor, wherein the first distance (d1) is at least approximately an odd multiple of one-sixth of the first period length (PP).