In the design of the split-type free displacer Stirling cryocooler, the motion of the displacer is very important to the cooling capacity, which depends on the working gas pressure, the swept volume in the compression space and the expansion space, the operating frequency, the phase shift between the piston and the displacer, and other factors. This study describes design and manufacture of the Stirling cryocooler actuated by the electric force of the dual linear motor. The cool-down characteristics of the cold end with laser displacement sensor in the expander of the Stirling cryocooler were evaluated. The charging pressure was 15 kg(f)/ cm 2 and the operating frequency was 50 Hz. The input power and the lowest temperature were about 32 W and 67 K, respectively. The displacement of the piston was measured by LVDTs (linear variable differential transformers), the displacement of the displacer was measured by the laser optic method, and the phase shift between piston and displacer was investigated. As the peak-to-peak pressure of the compressor increased, the peak-to-peak displacement of the displacer increased. The peak-to-peak displacement of the displacer increased in the range of 0-64.5 Hz (the resonant frequency of the displacer), but decreased steeply when the operating frequency was higher than the resonant frequency. Finally, when the phase shift between the displacements of the piston and the displacer was 45degrees, the operating frequency was optimum and was decided by the resonant frequency of the expander, the mass and cross-sectional area of the displacer and the constants of friction and flow resistance. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.