Use of magnetofluidics in component alignment and jitter compensation

An optical system includes an optical component mounted relative to a housing; a fluid in contact with the housing; sources generating a magnetic field in the fluid; and a controller controlling the optical component position to maintain optical parameters of the system. The optical component is suspended using the fluid. Alternatively, a body is suspended in the fluid and a rod is connected between the body and the optical component. Sensors detect magnetic field changes in response to movement of the optical component. A method of controlling the position of an optical component includes suspending the optical component using a fluid; generating a magnetic field within the fluid; sensing magnetic field changes in response to movement of the optical component; and modulating the magnetic field to control the optical component position based on the sensed changes. Movement such as linear displacement along three axes and/or rotation about three axes can be controlled to provide up to six degrees of freedom.