Halbach array is a type of specialized and interesting arrangement of permanent magnet which developed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in 1979. The array was originally invented by Klaus Halbach to help particle accelerators to focus beams. Magnetization direction of every two adjacent magnets in Halbach arrays differs on a specific angle, then magnetic field generated asymmetrical distribution. 

Characteristics of Halbach Array

• Halbach arrays can generate a large and uniform magnetic field in a certain area. Its magnetic field can even exceed the remanence of the permanent magnetic material itself.
• Enhance magnetic field on one side while keeping the field of the other side to very low level at the same time.

• Halbach arrays have excellent magnetic field performance when exist a certain gap.
• Magnetic field of halbach arrays exhibit sine distribution and drastically reduces harmonic waves.
• Effective increase power.
• Excellent magnetic shielding effect.

Classification of Halbach Array

Halbach arrays can be mainly divided into straight type and circular type base on geometry. Circular type can be further classified to outer diameter (O.D.) iteration and inner diameter (I.D.) iteration based on the arrangement of the permanent magnet. Numerous directions and strength will be yielded by different magnet configuration.

Applications of Halbach Array

• Simple fixture and holding application.
• Rotors for DC motor, linear motor, servo motor, magnetic coupling, and power generator.
• Magnetic levitations.
• High energy physics area, such as the particle accelerator, free-electron laser device, synchrotron radiation facility, and magnetic lens.
• Medical area.