An improved electromagnetic actuator includes a first assembly, a second assembly disposed for relative movement with respect to the first assembly and at least a first flexure interconnecting the first assembly and the second assembly. The first assembly includes a core having a first magnetic pole of a first polarity in a second magnetic pole of a second polarity. The second assembly includes an electrical current conductive coil having a first coil portion and a second coil portion. The first magnetic pole is in a facing relationship to the first coil portion and the second magnetic pole is in a facing relationship to the second coil portion. The first coil portion and the second coil portion are arranged so that an electrical current in the coil develops additive flux current cross products at each of the first coil portion and the second coil portion. One of the first assembly and the second assembly includes a magnetic flux return path between the first coil portion and the second coil portion.