Abstract: A positioning table, for example for a wire bonder has first and second arms, each of said first and second arms being independently drivable linearly along a first axis, and a stage that is engaged with both the first and second arms. The stage engages with each of the first and second arms via a respective engagement mechanism such that the stage is movable both linearly along the first axis, and rotatable about a rotary axis coincident with a center-point of the stage, the rotary axis being orthogonal to the first axis. Each engagement mechanism is configured to permit a respective distance between the center-point of the stage and an end of each of the first and second arms to vary during movement of an arm along the first axis.

Abstract: A positioning table, for example for a wire bonder has first and second arms, each of said first and second arms being independently drivable linearly along a first axis, and a stage that is engaged with both the first and second arms. The stage engages with each of the first and second arms via a respective engagement mechanism such that the stage is movable both linearly along the first axis, and rotatable about a rotary axis coincident with a center-point of the stage, the rotary axis being orthogonal to the first axis. Each engagement mechanism is configured to permit a respective distance between the center-point of the stage and an end of each of the first and second arms to vary during movement of an arm along the first axis.

Abstract: A control system for a positioning system, for positioning a driven object, e.g. in a lithographic apparatus, in N dimensions has M sensors, where M>N. A transformation module converts the M measurements by the sensors into a positional estimate in N dimensions taking into account compliance of the driven object.

Abstract: A sensor includes two shear-mode piezoelectric transducers, wherein each piezoelectric transducer has a bottom surface and a top surface, wherein the top surfaces of the piezoelectric transducers are rigidly connected to each other, and wherein the bottom surfaces of the piezoelectric transducers are configured to be attached to an object to be measured.

Abstract: A sensor includes two shear-mode piezoelectric transducers, wherein each piezoelectric transducer has a bottom surface and a top surface, wherein the top surfaces of the piezoelectric transducers are rigidly connected to each other, and wherein the bottom surfaces of the piezoelectric transducers are configured to be attached to an object to be measured.

Abstract: A stage positioning system, includes a first body, a second body and a coupling arranged to couple the first body and the second body to each other. The coupling includes a visco-elastic element arranged to couple the first body and the second body to each other. The stage positioning system may further include a sensor to provide a signal representative of a position of the first body. The stage positioning system may further include an actuator to move the first body. The second body may be arranged to couple the actuator and the coupling to each other.

Abstract: A sensor includes two shear-mode piezoelectric transducers, wherein each piezoelectric transducer has a bottom surface and a top surface, wherein the top surfaces of the piezoelectric transducers are rigidly connected to each other, and wherein the bottom surfaces of the piezoelectric transducers are configured to be attached to an object to be measured.

Abstract: A control system for a positioning system, for positioning a driven object, e.g. in a lithographic apparatus, in N dimensions has M sensors, where M>N. A transformation module converts the M measurements by the sensors into a positional estimate in N dimensions taking into account compliance of the driven object.

Abstract: A stage positioning system, includes a first body, a second body and a coupling arranged to couple the first body and the second body to each other. The coupling includes a visco-elastic element arranged to couple the first body and the second body to each other. The stage positioning system may further include a sensor to provide a signal representative of a position of the first body. The stage positioning system may further include an actuator to move the first body. The second body may be arranged to couple the actuator and the coupling to each other.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a projection system, a substrate table, a plurality of sensors, an actuator and a controller. The projection system is configured to project a patterned beam of radiation onto a substrate. The substrate table is configured to support the substrate and to move relative to the projection system. The plurality of sensors is configured to measure a deformation of the substrate table. The actuator is configured to deform the substrate table. The controller is configured to control the actuator to deform the substrate table based on measurements made by the sensors. The plurality of sensors is located on a first side of the substrate table opposite to a second side of the substrate table facing the projection system. The plurality of sensors is substantially stationary relative to the projection system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lithographic apparatus including an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam, a patterning device support constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam, a substrate support constructed to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate, and an encoder-type measurement system configured to at least during projection of the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate continuously determine a position quantity of a patterning device supported on the patterning device support using a grid or grating provided on the patterning device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suction unit and relates to a vacuum cleaner. The suction unit comprises a drive system for driving the suction unit over a surface to be treated; a chassis supporting the drive system; a nozzle for removing particles from a surface to be treated which nozzle is configured to move with relation to the chassis in a direction away from the surface to be treated, the nozzle having an interior space defining an opening that faces the surface to be treated; and an outlet communicating with the interior space, the outlet being arranged for communication with a fan unit in operating conditions. The suction unit further comprises coupling means for coupling the nozzle to the chassis, wherein the coupling means is arranged to exert a force that is directed away from the surface to be treated when the under pressure in the interior space increases. In this manner the problem of the suction unit getting stuck on the floor can be overcome or at least be reduced.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam and a support constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam. The lithographic apparatus further includes a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate; a positioner constructed to position the substrate table; a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate; a substrate surface actuator arranged to engage a part of a surface of the substrate facing the projection system, and a position controller configured to control a position of the substrate table, the position controller being arranged to drive the positioner and the substrate surface actuator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lithographic apparatus including an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam, a patterning device support constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam, a substrate support constructed to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate, and an encoder-type measurement system configured to at least during projection of the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate continuously determine a position quantity of a patterning device supported on the patterning device support using a grid or grating provided on the patterning device.

Abstract: A system for detecting motion of a body, the system comprising: a body; a first grating mounted substantially stationary relative to a frame of reference; a second grating mounted on the body; a detector arranged to receive one or more radiation beams diffracted at the first and second gratings thereby to detect motion of the body relative to the frame of reference; wherein the detector is coupled to the body and moveable relative to the body.

Abstract: A method for positioning a substage, supported by a main stage, relative to a reference object, the substage moveable in a direction between a first and second position relative to the main stage. The method includes positioning the first stage using a passive force system that is activated by positioning the main stage. The passive force system includes two magnet systems, each magnet system being configured to apply a force in the direction to the first stage with respect to the second stage in a non-contact manner, the forces resulting in a resultant force applied to the first stage in the direction by the passive force system. A magnitude and/or a direction of the resultant force depends on the position of the first stage relative to the second stage, and the first stage has a zero-force position between the first and second position in which the resultant force is zero.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes a first and second magnetic members that are displaceable relative to each other and are arranged to provide a magnetic circuit; and a coil configured to, in use, receive a current to generate a magnetic flux through the magnetic circuit, thereby generating a force between the first and second magnetic members in a first direction, the magnetic flux, in use, being transferred between the first and second magnetic members through a first surface of the first magnetic member and a second surface of the second magnetic member, the first and second surface being separated by an airgap, wherein the first surface and the second surface are arranged relative to each other such that an outer dimension of the first surface extends beyond an outer dimension of the second surface in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lithographic apparatus including an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam, a patterning device support constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam, a substrate support constructed to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate, and an encoder-type measurement system configured to at least during projection of the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate continuously determine a position quantity of a patterning device supported on the patterning device support using a grid or grating provided on the patterning device.

Abstract: A system for detecting motion of a body, the system comprising: a body; a first grating mounted substantially stationary relative to a frame of reference; a second grating mounted on the body; a detector arranged to receive one or more radiation beams diffracted at the first and second gratings thereby to detect motion of the body relative to the frame of reference; wherein the detector is coupled to the body and moveable relative to the body.

Abstract: A positioning system to position a movable object having a body, the positioning system includes an object position measurement system, an object actuator, and an object controller, wherein the positioning system further includes a stiffener to increase the stiffness and/or to damp relative movements within the body of the object, the stiffener including; one or more sensors, wherein each sensor is arranged to determine a measurement signal representative of an internal strain or relative displacement in the body, one or more actuators, wherein each actuator is arranged to exert an actuation force on a part of the body, and at least one controller, configured to provide on the basis of the measurement signal of at least one of the sensors, an actuation signal to at least one of the actuators to increase the stiffness and/or to damp movements within the body.