Three degree of movement mover and method for controlling a three degree of movement mover

A mover for moving a stage along a first axis, the mover comprising:

• a magnetic component including a plurality of magnets that are surrounded by a magnetic field;
• a conductor component that is positioned near the magnetic component, the conductor component including a first array of conductors and a second array of conductors that are positioned adjacent to the first array along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis, the arrays being secured together;
• wherein the first array is shifted relative to the second array along the first axis;
• and wherein the conductor component interacts with the magnetic component when current is directed to the conductor component to generate a controlled force along the first axis;
• and
• a control system that directs current to the conductor component to generate the controlled force along the first axis.

A method for moving a device along a first axis, the method comprising the steps of:

• coupling the device to a stage;
• providing a magnetic component having a plurality of magnets that are surrounded by a magnetic field;
• providing a conductor component that is positioned near the magnetic component in the magnetic field;
• coupling one of the components to the stage;
• and
• directing current to the conductor component so that the conductor component interacts with the magnetic component to generate a controlled force along the first axis, and a controlled moment about a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis.