Abstract: A control device configured to control a supply condition of a gas which is supplied between two substrates that are to be bonded to each other by a substrate bonding device, is configured to control the supply condition based on a measurement result obtained by a measurement in relation to at least one of the substrate, another substrate bonded before the substrate is bonded, or the substrate bonding device, and the two substrates are bonded to each other by a contact region expanding after the contact region is formed in a center.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes an illumination optical system that guides illumination light to a mask; a projection optical system that projects the pattern irradiated with the illumination light, onto a substrate; and a supporting device that integrally suspendingly supports at least part of the illumination optical system and the projection optical system, with a supporting member having a flexible structure.

Abstract: A projection optical system PL is used to project an image of a pattern. A manufacturing method of an exposure apparatus includes: a positioning step of positioning the projection optical system at a predetermined position; and a support step of supporting the positioned projection optical system. The positioning step includes a step of moving the projection optical system upward from below at the time of positioning.

Abstract: Reduced-pressure (“vacuum”) chambers, and microlithographic exposure systems including one or more of such chambers, are disclosed. The vacuum chamber exhibits reduced deformation of a bulkhead of the chamber during evacuation of the chamber during a change in pressure differential across the bulkhead. A secondary wall is situated relative to the bulkhead outside the chamber and at a gap distance from the bulkhead, so as to form a secondary reduced-pressure chamber in the gap. The secondary reduced-pressure chamber is isolated from the pressure outside the chamber and from the subatmospheric pressure inside the chamber. The differential between the pressure outside the chamber and the pressure inside the secondary reduced-pressure chamber is exerted on the secondary wall, but has substantially no effect on the bulkhead, thereby reducing deformation of the bulkhead.

Abstract: In order to provide a static pressure air bearing having two axes usable in a vacuum environment in which the connection of the supporting air exhaust pipe does not adversely affect the motion of the bearing mechanism, air exhaust pipes are connected only with the fixed part(s) of the lower axis. Air exhaust from the upper axis is conducted through inner air exhaust piping (passages) formed within the fixed parts of the upper and lower axes, so that the exhaust pipes need not be connected with the movable parts.

Abstract: Reduced-pressure (“vacuum”) chambers, and microlithographic exposure systems including one or more of such chambers, are disclosed. The vacuum chamber exhibits reduced deformation of a bulkhead of the chamber during evacuation of the chamber or occurrence of a change in pressure differential across the bulkhead. A “pan” (serving as a secondary wall) is situated at a gap distance from the bulkhead. A secondary reduced-pressure chamber is formed in the gap between the pan and the bulkhead. The secondary reduced-pressure chamber is isolated from atmospheric pressure outside the chamber and from the subatmospheric pressure inside the chamber. The differential between atmospheric pressure and the pressure inside the secondary reduced-pressure chamber is exerted on the pan, but the pressure differential has substantially no effect on the bulkhead, thereby reducing deformation of the bulkhead.

Abstract: In order to provide a static pressure air bearing having two axes usable in a vacuum environment in which the connection of the supporting air exhaust pipe does not adversely affect the motion of the bearing mechanism, air exhaust pipes are connected only with the fixed part(s) of the lower axis. Air exhaust from the upper axis is conducted through inner air exhaust piping (passages) formed within the fixed parts of the upper and lower axes, so that the exhaust pipes need not be connected with the movable parts.

Abstract: In order to provide a static pressure air bearing having two axes usable in a vacuum environment in which the connection of the supporting air exhaust pipe does not adversely affect the motion of the bearing mechanism, air exhaust pipes are connected only with the fixed part(s) of the lower axis. Air exhaust from the upper axis is conducted through inner air exhaust piping (passages) formed within the fixed parts of the upper and lower axes, so that the exhaust pipes need not be connected with the movable parts.

Abstract: In order to provide a static pressure air bearing having two axes usable in a vacuum environment in which the connection of the supporting air exhaust pipe does not adversely affect the motion of the bearing mechanism, air exhaust pipes are connected only with the fixed part(s) of the lower axis. Air exhaust from the upper axis is conducted through inner air exhaust piping (passages) formed within the fixed parts of the upper and lower axes, so that the exhaust pipes need not be connected with the movable parts.

Abstract: A static air-bearing provides a gas layer between two relatively movable parts (fixed part and movable part) and a predetermined clearance between the two parts, to a stage apparatus, and to an optical apparatus, and provides a static air-bearing, a stage apparatus, and an optical apparatus each of which can limit its size and can make pipe arrangement easy. The static air-bearing comprising a fixed part 4 and a movable part 3 movably disposed along the fixed part 4 and maintaining a predetermined clearance between the fixed part 4 and the movable part 3 by an air layer between the fixed part 4 and the movable part 3, the movable part 3 having a bearing pad 3a that blows air into the air layer between the fixed part 4 and the movable part 3 and an air exhaust groove 3c that exhausts the air blown out of the bearing pad 3a, and the fixed part 4 having an air exhaust port 4a that is disposed at a position facing the air exhaust groove 3c.