Abstmct-One of the advantages of magnetic levitation using high-temperature superconducting (HTS) bulk i s that stable levitation can be achieved without any control systems. We have been investigating the electromagnetic behaviors of HTS bulk to realize a two-dimensional magnetic levitating transporter without any fixed guides. The characteristics of lift and stability are key parameters to design and optimize such a device. We measured the lift and the restoring force of a YBCO bulk, displaced by a distance in lateral direction, for various field-cooling conditions and permanent-magnet arrangements, Both lift and restoring force are closely related to the a i r gap in the field-cooling process, distance between the permanent magnets, number of permanent magnets, and permanent magnet arrangement, that is, external magnetic field distribution. The most suitable arrangement o f permanent magnets depends on the required levitation height and the weight of the levitating part. I t can be considered that the size of the levitating part and geometry are also very important to determine the optimal arrangement in the maglev device.

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