Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an illumination system arranged to condition a radiation beam, and an article support configured to support an article to be placed in a beam path of the radiation beam. The article support includes a plurality of bonded layers. At least one of the bonded layers includes a plurality of recesses facing another of the bonded layers, so as to reduce a bonding surface between the bonded layers.

Abstract: A burl plate for use in immersion lithography has a higher burl density in a peripheral portion than in a medial portion so that when a higher pressure differential is applied in the peripheral portion the compression of the burls in the peripheral portion is substantially the same as in the medial portion.

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.