Design and analysis of a mini-linear actuator for optical disk drive

Describes a mini-linear optical pickup actuator and virtual path method for analysis of an open magnetic circuit. The magnetic circuit of the proposed actuator becomes a closed circuit when the virtual path model is applied to the outer air magnetic flux. The validity of the virtual path method is proved using a finite-element method and force experiment. A frequency response experiment shows the availability of the proposed actuator as a radial direction actuator for optical disk drives.