Abstract: A method for suppressing vibrations, the method having the steps of providing a first device having a first rotating shaft, and a second device having a second rotating shaft. The orbits of the first rotating shaft are measured are analyzed, and the misalignment and unbalance is determined. The first rotating shaft and the bearings are then displaced to eliminate vibrations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotating ring apparatus comprising: —a stationary ring (1), —a rotating ring (2) for rotation around a central region (3), —a rotation unit (4, 5) for radially bearing and rotating said rotating ring (2) with respect to the stationery ring (1), said rotation unit including a stationary induction element (4) mounted on said stationery ring (1) and a rotating induction element (5) mounted on said rotating ring (2), and —a controller (8) for controlling said rotation unit (4, 5) to rotate and levitate the rotating induction element (5).

Abstract: A method for suppressing vibrations, the method having the steps of providing a first device having a first rotating shaft, and a second device having a second rotating shaft. The orbits of the first rotating shaft are measured are analyzed, and the misalignment and unbalance is determined. The first rotating shaft and the bearings are then displaced to eliminate vibrations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotating ring apparatus comprising: —a stationary ring (1), —a rotating ring (2) for rotation around a central region (3), —a rotation unit (4, 5) for radially bearing and rotating said rotating ring (2) with respect to the stationery ring (1), said rotation unit including a stationary induction element (4) mounted on said stationery ring (1) and a rotating induction element (5) mounted on said rotating ring (2), and —a controller (8) for controlling said rotation unit (4, 5) to rotate and levitate the rotating induction element (5).

Abstract: Especially for use in the semiconductor industry, a displacement device (701) is disclosed comprising a first part comprising a carrier (714) on which a system of magnets (710) is arranged according to a pattern of row and columns extending parallel to the X-direction and the Y-direction, respectively. The magnets in each row and column are arranged according to a Halbach array, i.e. the magnetic orientation of successive magnets in each row and each column rotates 90° counter-clockwise. The second part comprises an electric coil system (712) with two types of electric coils, one type having an angular offset of +45°, and the other type having an offset of ?45° with respect to the X-direction. The first part (714, 710) is movable over a range of centimeters or more with respect to the stationary second part (712). For high precision positioning of the first part, an interferometer system (731, 730) is provided.

Abstract: An actuator driver circuit includes a drive signal source and an electrical damping element having a negative resistance connected in series with the drive signal source. A controllable switch is provided for selectively switching the electrical damping element into or put of a signal path from a drive signal source output to a driver circuit output, in order to selectively change the electrical damping of an actuator. For example, the electrical damping of a radial actuator or a focus actuator of an optical disc drive is increased in case of loss of track or loss of focus.

Abstract: Electrostatic displacement devices (1) with high forces and high accelerations are provided by arranging the electrodes (31, 31a, 31b) such that an electric field is generated extending over an area equivalent to the surface area of the object (2) to be displaced. Preferably, higher voltages are applied to the electrodes (31a) in the edge region than to the electrodes (31b) in the middle region, to further increase the shear forces inducing the actual displacement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) for detecting motion of a body (2), said body comprising a first diffraction pattern (3A) and a second diffraction pattern (3B) with a predetermined orientation relative to said first diffraction pattern. The system comprises optical means (4A, 4B) adapted to provide at least a first incident beam to said first diffraction pattern to obtain a first diffracted beam from said first diffraction pattern and at least a second incident beam, with a predetermined orientation relative to said first incident beam, to said second diffraction pattern to obtain a second diffracted beam from said second diffraction pattern. The system has means for detecting motion of said body on the basis of the phase difference between at least one of said first diffracted beam and said second diffracted beam. Accordingly a larger in-plane rotation range is obtained for detecting motion of the body (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) for detecting a translation (T) of a body (2) with a diffraction pattern (3) applied to said body. The system comprises means (4) for providing an incident light beam (I) to said diffraction pattern and to obtain a diffracted light beam (D) from said diffraction pattern; means (4) for measuring a phase difference by interference between said incident light beam and said diffracted beam an means (4) for detecting said translation on the basis of said measured phase difference. The invention further relates to a method for detecting a translation of a body (2); a redirection arrangement 6 and a frequency multiplexing system.

Abstract: An ironless linear motor (5) comprising a magnet track (53) and a coil assembly (50) operating in cooperation with said magnet track (53) and having a plurality of concentrated multi-turn coils (31 a-f, 41 a-d, 51 a-k), wherein the end windings (31E) of the coils (31 a-f, 41 a-e) are substantially rounded, the coil part (31 S) between the end windings (31E) is straight and the coils (31 a-f, 41a-d, 51a-k) are arranged in an overlapping manner, wherein the end windings (31E) are pressed together, is provided. The coil assembly has the advantage to be flat, thus being easy to handle, and leading to a high steepness.

Abstract: Especially for use in the semiconductor industry, a displacement device (701) is disclosed comprising a first part comprising a carrier (714) on which a system of magnets (710) is arranged according to a pattern of row and columns extending parallel to the X-direction and the Y-direction, respectively. The magnets in each row and column are arranged according to a Halbach array, i.e. the magnetic orientation of successive magnets in each row and each column rotates 90° counter-clockwise. The second part comprises an electric coil system (712) with two types of electric coils, one type having an angular offset of +45°, and the other type having an offset of ?45° with respect to the X-direction. The first part (714, 710) is movable over a range of centimeters or more with respect to the stationary second part (712). For high precision positioning of the first part, an interferometer system (731, 730) is provided.

Abstract: A apparatus processes an object (19), such as a semi-conductor wafer at accurately controlled positions. The object (19) is supported by a working platform (12) that is moveable along a path. A suspension actuator part (14) attached to the working platform (12), contains a soft magnetic core (24) with poles facing the surface of a soft magnetic element (34) on the support structure along the path and a winding (20) for application of a current to generate a magnetic field that runs through the core (24) v the poles and returns via the soft magnetic element (34). A sensor (17) senses a measured position of the suspension actuator part (14) relative to the position reference element (16). A control circuit comprises an outer control circuit (40) and an inner control circuit (42). The outer control circuit (40) receives a sensing result and determines force set point information to regulate the measured position of the actuator part (14) to a required value.

Abstract: A displacement apparatus comprising a first part and a second part, which can be displaced relative to each other in first and second different directions. The apparatus being suitable for use in a lithographic apparatus for positioning the mask holder with respect to the projection beam and for positioning the wafer substrate table with respect to the patterned beam. The first part comprises a first and second coil system in which an alternating current is provided by a power supply. The second part comprises a conductive platen which is disposed in a zone in which a magnetic field is induced when power is supplied to the coil systems. The coil system and platen are arranged with respect to each other so that when currents are passed through the coils, a magnetic field induced in the platen causes displacement between the platen and the coils in the first and second different directions.

Abstract: A linear motor having a high driving force, high efficiency and low normal force comprises two opposed magnet tracks and an armature comprising three open coil sets. The linear motor may be used to drive a stage, such as, for example, a mask or wafer stage, in a lithographic apparatus.

Abstract: A coil for use in an actuator in a lithographic projection apparatus. The coil is formed of a strip of electrically conducting sheet-material that is wound round a winding axis. Respective turns of the strip of sheet-material are separated by an electrically non-conducting layer.

Abstract: A linear motor having a high driving force, high efficiency and low normal force comprises two opposed magnet tracks and an armature comprising three open coil sets. The linear motor may be used to drive a stage, such as, for example, a mask or wafer stage, in a lithographic apparatus.

Abstract: A coil for use in an actuator in a lithographic projection apparatus. The coil is formed of a strip of electrically conducting sheet-material that is wound round a winding axis. Respective turns of the strip of sheet-material are separated by an electrically non-conducting layer.

Abstract: Positioning device having a first part (1) which is movable relative to a second part (2) in a X and Y-direction, said first part (1) having a carrier (5) on which a system of magnets (3) is arranged in a pattern of rows (7) and columns (8) parallel to the X- and Y-direction, respectively. The magnets in each row and column are arranged in a Halbach array, i.e. the magnetic orientation of each successive magnet in each row (7) and each column (8) is rotated through 90° counter-clockwise. The second part (2) has an electric coil system (4) with two types of electric coils (C1, C2), one type having an angular offset of +45° and the other type having an offset of −45° with respect to the X-direction. The magnet configuration causes a very strong magnetic field.

Abstract: The invention relates to a resistor assembly for dividing an applied voltage into an intermediate voltage being below the applied anode voltage in a cathode ray tube. The resistor assembly comprises an insulating substrate and a resistive voltage divider including a first and a second resistive layer provided on the insulating substrate, and an additional resistive network with a first network terminal and a second network terminal. The additional resistive network is coupled in series with the first resistive layer. Furthermore, the additional resistive network comprises first and second resistive portions which are releasably coupled to the network terminals via bridge connections. According to the invention, the first and second resistive portions have substantially different resistance values for selecting a predetermined resistance value from a range of resistance values of the additional resistive network.

Abstract: Positioning device with a first part and a second part which are movable relative to each other in at least one direction. Said first part comprises a carrier on which a system of magnets with N and Z magnets are arranged in an alternating manner and having a flux density B(x)=B(x+2&tgr;), &tgr; being the magnetic pole pitch. Said second part comprises an electric coil system with at least one coil block unit, each unit having k coil blocks with k]2, said coil blocks having conductors, all conductors belonging to the same coil block being oriented in the same direction and fed by a n-phase system with n]2.