Abstract
The rotational dynamics of passive high T c superconducting bearings are discussed. Rotor deceleration as a function of time is measured using a bare rotor, a rotor with paddles, and a rotor with a small magnetic chip used to induce magnetic asymmetry. All three cases are fit to within experimental error using solutions to a first order differential equation where the decelerating torque is given by a constant term described by the critical‐state Bean model, plus a term linear in the rotational frequency described by the Stokes ‘‘slow flow’’ approximation to the Navier–Stokes equations in the limit of small Reynolds number.