Abstract: The invention relates to a vibration isolation module (101) for a lithographic apparatus or an inspection apparatus. The module comprises a support frame (102), an intermediate body (103) and a support body (104) for accommodating the lithographic apparatus. The intermediate body is connected to the support frame by means of at least one spring element such that the intermediate body is a hanging body. The support body is connected to the intermediate body by means of at least one pendulum rod (108) such that the support body is a hanging body. The invention further relates to a substrate processing system comprising such vibration isolation module.

Abstract: A target positioning device, in particular for a lithography system, comprising a carrier for carrying a target, and a stage for carrying and moving the carrier along a first direction (X). The stage comprising two X-stage bases, both arranged on top of a common base plate, each X-stage base carries an X-stage carriage, and a Y-beam comprising a Y-stage for carrying said carrier and moving the carrier said carrier in a second direction (Y). The Y-beam bridges the space between the X-stage carriages and is connected to the X-stage carriages via a flexible coupling. The device further comprises two motors each for driving a corresponding X-stage carriage along its corresponding X-stage base. The two motors are arranged at least substantially below the stage. Each motor of said two motors is coupled to an eccentric cam or crank which is connected to the corresponding X-stage carriage via a crank shaft.

Abstract: An assembly and a method for lifting a module of a lithography system from its support and a lithography system including such device are provided. The assembly includes a body and a track. The track comprises a ramp. The body is provided with two wheels. The first wheel vertically may extend a distance h further from a central horizontal plane of the body than the second wheel. An axis of the first wheel may be positioned in the horizontal direction at a distance D from an axis of the second wheel. The track may include a first and a second ramp. The first ramp is positioned at a distance D from the second ramp in the horizontal direction and a distance h in the vertical direction. Insertion of the body between the module and the support causes the module to be lifted from the support.

Abstract: The invention relates to a projection system for projecting one or more beams on a target, said system comprising a frame, a projection module comprising a beam source for providing the one or more beams, projection optics for projecting beams on the target, a target positioning module, comprising a carrier for carrying the target, a stage for carrying and positioning the carrier, a measurement system for determining a position of the projection module relative to the carrier, a controller adapted for controlling the target positioning module to position the target under the projection module based on said determined position, wherein the projection module is connected to the frame via a flexible coupling for dampening the propagation of vibrations from said frame to said projection module, and wherein the controller is adapted control the target positioning module to compensate for residual vibrations as measured by said measurement system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a target processing tool, comprising a target carrier guidance assembly, said target carrier guidance assembly comprising: a guide surface having a longitudinal axis in a first direction, a target carrier for carrying and displacing a target along said first direction, a bearing support mounted to the target carrier by means of a flexible mount, a bearing arranged between the guide surface and the bearing support, and a biasing element, connected to the target carrier and to the bearing support, adapted for biasing said bearing support along a second direction against the bearing, wherein preferably said second direction is perpendicular to said first direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a support structure for supporting a wafer table in a lithography system, said support structure comprising: a base comprising a reference surface, an interface member, made from a low thermal expansion material, arranged on top of said base and adapted for positioning said wafer table on the support structure, wherein said interface member is connected to said reference surface via at least one strut, and wherein the at least one strut is made from a low thermal expansion material. The invention further relates to a lithography system comprising such a support structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a charged particle lithography apparatus with a charged particle source for creating one or more charged particle beams, a charged particle projector for projecting the beams onto a wafer; and a moveable wafer stage for carrying the wafer. The charged particle source, charged particle projector, and moveable wafer stage are disposed in a common vacuum chamber forming a vacuum environment. The vacuum chamber further has an opening for loading wafers into the chamber and a door.