Abstract: A load lock is constructed and arranged to transfer a substrate between a first environment and a second environment and to maintain each of the first environment and the second environment therein. The load lock includes a load lock chamber provided with at least two mutually distinct substrate supports positioned one above the other. Each of the substrate supports includes a substrate displacement element. The load lock also includes an evacuation device constructed and arranged to evacuate the load lock chamber, and a door constructed and arranged to close the load lock chamber during evacuation and for opening the load lock chamber.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for maintaining a machine part arranged in an interior space of a machine, where the interior space is kept at a first pressure and is separated from an environment having a second pressure via a load lock. The method includes transporting a machine part via the load lock out of the interior space and transporting via the load lock into the interior space one of the maintained machine part and a separate replacement machine part.

Abstract: A load lock for a lithographic apparatus is arranged to transfer an object, like a substrate, into and from the lithographic apparatus. The load lock outer wall defining at least part of a load lock volume accommodating a support unit for supporting the object when in the load lock. The load lock also has a temperature conditioned structure to control the temperature of the object to a desired temperature at least before the object is transferred from the load lock towards the lithographic projection apparatus.

Abstract: A load lock is constructed and arranged to transfer a substrate between a first environment and a second environment and to maintain each of the first environment and the second environment therein. The load lock includes a load lock chamber provided with at least two mutually distinct substrate supports positioned one above the other. Each of the substrate supports includes a substrate displacement element. The load lock also includes an evacuation device constructed and arranged to evacuate the load lock chamber, and a door constructed and arranged to close the load lock chamber during evacuation and for opening the load lock chamber.

Abstract: Lithographic projection assembly, including at least one load lock for transferring objects, in particular substrates, between a first environment and a second environment, the second environment preferably having a lower pressure than the first environment; an object handler including a handler chamber in which the second environment prevails; and a lithographic projection apparatus including a projection chamber. The handler chamber and projection chamber can communicate for transferring the objects. The load lock includes a load lock chamber; evacuation device for evacuating the load lock chamber; and door device for closing the load lock chamber during evacuation and for opening the load lock chamber to enter an object in or remove an object from the load lock chamber. The load lock chamber may be provided with at least two mutually distinct object support positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lithographic projection assembly, having at least two load locks for transferring substrates between a first environment and a lower pressure second environment, a substrate handler with a handler chamber within the second environment and a lithographic projection apparatus including a projection chamber. The handler chamber and the projection chamber communicate via a load position for entering a substrate from the handler chanter into the projection chamber and an unload position for removing the substrate from the projection chamber into the handler chamber. The handler chamber also includes pre-processing means for pre-processing of the substrates and transport means for transferring substrates between the load locks and pre-processing means.

Abstract: Lithographic projection assembly, including at least one load lock for transferring objects, in particular substrates, between a first environment and a second environment, the second environment preferably having a lower pressure than the first environment; an object handler including a handler chamber in which the second environment prevails; and a lithographic projection apparatus including a projection chamber. The handler chamber and projection chamber can communicate for transferring the objects. The load lock includes a load lock chamber; evacuation device for evacuating the load lock chamber; and door device for closing the load lock chamber during evacuation and for opening the load lock chamber to enter an object in or remove an object from the load lock chamber. The load lock chamber may be provided with at least two mutually distinct object support positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lithographic projection assembly, comprising at least two load locks for transferring substrates between a first environment and a second environment, the second environment having a lower pressure than the first environment; a substrate handler comprising a handler chamber in which the second environment prevails; a lithographic projection apparatus comprising a projection chamber.