Patents Represented by Attorney Kjerven, Morrill, MacPherson, Franklin and Friel
  • Patent number: 6008610
    Abstract: A position control apparatus for synchronously controlling the movement of fine stages in a high-precision scanning positioning instrument. The position control apparatus uses actuators to adjust the fine stages with six degrees of freedom. By adjusting the fine stages, any synchronous errors between the fine stages during scanning may be dynamically corrected. Further, the fine stages may be adjusted during periods of acceleration and deceleration to reduce the settling time and consequently increasing throughput. Encoders directly attached to the actuators produce signals that are used in a velocity feedback loop. The locations of the fine stages are measured by interferometers. The position control apparatus uses a position control circuit to control the actuators to compensate for synchronous error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Bausan Yuan, Kazuaki Saiki