Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system for providing a beam of radiation, an article support for supporting a flat article to be placed in a beam path of the beam of radiation on the article support, a backfill gas feed arranged in the article support for feeding backfill gas to a backside of the article when supported by the article support, and a clamp for clamping the article against the article support during projection. According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a controller for controlling the clamp and/or the backfill gas feed pressure so as to release the clamp prior to reducing the backfill gas feed pressure.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system for conditioning a beam of radiation, and an article support for supporting a substantially flat article to be placed in a beam path of the beam of radiation. The article support includes a plurality of supporting protrusions that define a support zone for providing a substantially flat plane of support. The apparatus also includes a backfill gas feed for providing an improved thermal conduction between the article and the article support. The backfill gas feed includes a backfill gas discharge zone for feeding backfill gas to a backside of the article when supported by the article support. The backfill gas discharge zone substantially encloses the support zone.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an illumination system for conditioning a beam of radiation, and an article support for supporting a substantially flat article to be placed in the beam of radiation. The article support includes a plurality of supporting protrusions for supporting the article, and at least one protective member located near a boundary of the supporting protrusions for protecting at least a boundary portion of the supporting protrusions during release of the article. The apparatus also includes a releasing device for releasing said article from said article support.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an illuminator for conditioning a beam of radiation, and an article holder. The article holder includes a plurality of protrusions arranged to provide a substantially flat plane of support for supporting an article to be placed in a beam path of the beam of radiation, and at least one clamping electrode for generating an electrostatic clamping force for clamping the article against the article holder. The clamping electrode includes an electric field changer for locally changing the electrostatic clamping force for leveling local height variations of the substrate.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus includes a radiation system for providing a beam of radiation, and a substrate holder. The substrate holder includes a plurality of protrusions for providing a substantially flat plane of support for supporting a substrate in a beam path of the beam of radiation, at least one clamping electrode for generating an electric field for clamping the substrate against the substrate holder, and a peripheral supporting edge arranged to contact the substrate. The electrode extends beyond the peripheral supporting edge for providing a torsion load to level the substrate near the edges of the substrate.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus having a radiation system for providing a projection beam of radiation; a support structure for supporting a patterning device, the patterning device serving to pattern the projection beam according to a desired pattern; a substrate holder for holding a substrate the substrate holder provided with a device to provide a holding force for pressing the substrate against the substrate holder; a releasing structure constructed and arranged to eject the substrate from the holder against the holding force; and a projection system for projecting the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate. The lithographic projection apparatus may include a controller for controlling the releasing structure so as to release the substrate from the holder with a release force that is reduced prior to final release.