Micropositioner systems and methods

A system for controlling the position and movement of an object, at least a portion of which is comprised of either a bounded region having a non-zero net electrical charge, or a bounded region having a non-zero net electrical polarization, said system comprising:

• a substantially planar base member having an upper surface;
• first and second field-producing elements formed on the upper surface of said base member, said elements having a shape that is substantially the same as the bounded region of said object, and said elements being positioned on said base member such that the bounded region of said object is both between said elements and above the upper surface of said base member;
• stabilizing means, formed on the upper surface of said base member, for producing a field which acts on the bounded region of said object so as to stabilize said object between and above said elements in at least one degree of freedom;
• and
• means for producing at said elements an electric field that is selectively variable as to its field strength, whereby the position and movement of said object can be selectively controlled both between and above said elements.

A system for controlling the position and movement of an object, at least a portion of which is comprised of either a bounded region having a non-zero net electrical charge, or a bounded region having a non-zero net electrical polarization, said system comprising:

• a substantially planar base member having an upper surface;
• first and second field-producing elements formed on the upper surface of said base member, said elements having a shape that is substantially the same as the bounded region of said object, and said elements being positioned on said base member such that the bounded region of said object is both between said elements and above the upper surface of said base member;
• means, formed on the upper surface of said base member, for sensing position and movement of said object relative to said base member;
• and
• means, responsive to said sensing means, for producing at said elements an electric field that is selectively variable as to its field strength, whereby the position and movement of said object can be selectively controlled both between and above said elements.