Phase-shift or pole-shift method can reduce the detent force of the double-sided permanent magnet linear synchronous motor (DS-PMLSM) dramatically. However, this method causes a decrease in thrust and an increase in normal force simultaneously. To overcome this drawback, a novel slot-shift structure whose slots on the two sides of the primary component are staggered by an optimal distance is proposed in this paper. The models of the detent force including the end force and cogging force is established theoretically, and then verified by finite element analysis. The windings in the upper primary and the lower primary are arranged differently to improve the average thrust. The thrust characteristics of the DS-PMLSM under different shifted distances are analyzed and compared in detail. Furthermore, the primary component employing two kinds of core laminations is proposed to reduce both the dc component and ripple of the normal force. Finally, a DS-PMLSM prototype is tested, and the experimental results are compared with the analytical results to verify the effectiveness of the theoretical and simulation research.