Abstract: An object handling apparatus for handling a generally planar object, the object handling apparatus including: two support arms, at least one of the two support arms movable relative to another support arm generally in a plane such that the two support arms are operable to grip and hold an object disposed in the plane, wherein each of the support arms includes at least one support pad and at least one aligner, the support pads configured to locally contact a surface of the object and apply a force thereto generally perpendicular to the plane so as to support the object and the at least one aligner configured to locally contact a surface of the object and apply a force thereto generally in the plane so as to grip the object.

Abstract: A support apparatus for a lithographic apparatus has an object holder and an extraction body radially outward of the object holder. The object holder is configured to support an object. The extraction body includes an extraction opening configured to extract fluid from a top surface of the support apparatus. The extraction body is spaced from the object holder such that the extraction body is substantially decoupled from the object holder. The extraction body includes a projection configured such that it surrounds the object holder and such that, in use, a layer of immersion liquid is retained on the projection and in contact with an object supported on the object holder.

Abstract: A support apparatus for a lithographic apparatus has an object holder and an extraction body radially outward of the object holder, The object holder is configured to support an object. The extraction body includes an extraction opening configured to extract fluid from a top surface of the support apparatus. The extraction body is spaced from the object holder such that the extraction body is substantially decoupled from the object holder.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus including a projection system configured to project a plurality of radiation beams onto a target; a movable frame that is at least rotatable around an axis; and an actuator system configured to displace the movable frame to an axis away from an axis corresponding to the geometric center of the movable frame and to cause the frame to rotate around an axis through the center of mass of the frame.

Abstract: An actuator comprising a first part and a second part, the first part being configured to move relative to the second part, wherein a labyrinth seal is provided between the first part and the second part, the labyrinth seal being configured to restrict the flow of gas from a first side of the labyrinth seal to a second side of the labyrinth seal, wherein one or more inlets and one or more outlets are provided within the labyrinth seal, the one or more inlets being configured to provide gas to a location within the labyrinth seal and the one or more outlets being configured to remove at least part of the gas from a location within the labyrinth seal.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus for immersion lithography is disclosed in which a seal between different parts of the substrate table may be arranged to reduce the transmission of forces between the different parts.

Abstract: An actuator comprising a first part and a second part, the first part being configured to move relative to the second part, wherein a labyrinth seal is provided between the first part and the second part, the labyrinth seal being configured to restrict the flow of gas from a first side of the labyrinth seal to a second side of the labyrinth seal, wherein one or more inlets and one or more outlets are provided within the labyrinth seal, the one or more inlets being configured to provide gas to a location within the labyrinth seal and the one or more outlets being configured to remove at least part of the gas from a location within the labyrinth seal.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus for immersion lithography is disclosed in which a seal between different parts of the substrate table may be arranged to reduce the transmission of forces between the different parts.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus for immersion lithography is disclosed in which a seal between different parts of the substrate table may be arranged to reduce the transmission of forces between the different parts.

Abstract: A substrate support constructed to support a substrate for immersion lithographic processing is disclosed. The substrate support has a central part and a peripheral part positioned around the central part. The substrate support further includes a thermal decoupler arranged to decrease heat transport between the central part and the peripheral part.

Abstract: An exemplary substrate processing apparatus has a vacuum chamber and a load lock for gas removal. The load lock has a support table to support a substrate. A cover plate may be provided in the load lock, the cover plate having a lower surface facing the upper surface of the support table. Openings may be provided in the lower surface of the cover plate to allow removal of gas from over the substrate in a direction substantially normal to the lower surface. In an embodiment, a gas pressure between the upper surface of the support table and the substrate is initially reduced through the opening to a certain pressure below a concurrent load lock pressure. When the remainder of the load lock pressure has dropped below the certain, gas pressure between the upper surface of the support table and the substrate is reduced together with the remainder load lock pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for positioning a substrate relative to a substrate table, is presented. When the substrate is positioned on the substrate table for a first time, a first relative position of the substrate with respect to the substrate table is determined. When the substrate is positioned on the substrate table a second subsequent time, a second relative position of the substrate with respect to the substrate table is determined and the position of the substrate table with respect to the substrate is adjusted based on the first and second relative positions, so that the substrate is positioned with respect to the substrate table substantially equally to the first relative position.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus for immersion lithography is disclosed in which a seal between different parts of the substrate table may be arranged to reduce the transmission of forces between the different parts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transfer apparatus for transferring an object. The transfer apparatus comprises a gripper for either gripping the object at a first position and then releasing the object at a second position proximate to a receiving structure or releasing the object at a first position after gripping the object at a second position proximate to the receiver structure. The transfer apparatus also includes a measurement device arranged to measure the relative position of the gripper with respect to the receiving structure in at least one dimension. Further, a relative position error is determined with respect to a desired relative position based on the relative position measured. The relative position of the gripper and receiving structure are adjusted in order to minimize the relative position error in the second position.

Abstract: A substrate support constructed to support a substrate for immersion lithographic processing is disclosed. The substrate support has a central part and a peripheral part positioned around the central part. The substrate support further includes a thermal decoupler arranged to decrease heat transport between the central part and the peripheral part.

Abstract: A substrate support constructed to support a substrate for immersion lithographic processing is disclosed. The substrate support has a central part and a peripheral part, the peripheral part comprising an extraction duct configured to extract a liquid from a top surface of the substrate support, the extraction duct connected to an exit duct configured to duct the liquid away from the substrate support. The substrate support further includes a thermal stabilizer, arranged in the peripheral part, configured to thermally stabilize a central part of the substrate support relative to the peripheral part.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus for immersion lithography is disclosed in which a seal between different parts of the substrate table may be arranged to reduce the transmission of forces between the different parts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lithographic projection assembly, having at least two load locks for transferring substrates between a first environment and a lower pressure second environment, a substrate handler with a handler chamber within the second environment and a lithographic projection apparatus including a projection chamber. The handler chamber and the projection chamber communicate via a load position for entering a substrate from the handler chanter into the projection chamber and an unload position for removing the substrate from the projection chamber into the handler chamber. The handler chamber also includes pre-processing means for pre-processing of the substrates and transport means for transferring substrates between the load locks and pre-processing means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transfer apparatus for transferring an object. The transfer apparatus comprises a gripper for either gripping the object at a first position and then releasing the object at a second position proximate to a receiving structure or releasing the object at a first position after gripping the object at a second position proximate to the receiver structure. The transfer apparatus also includes a measurement device arranged to measure the relative position of the gripper with respect to the receiving structure in at least one dimension. Further, a relative position error is determined with respect to a desired relative position based on the relative position measured. The relative position of the gripper and receiving structure are adjusted in order to minimize the relative position error in the second position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lithographic projection assembly, comprising at least two load locks for transferring substrates between a first environment and a second environment, the second environment having a lower pressure than the first environment; a substrate handler comprising a handler chamber in which the second environment prevails; a lithographic projection apparatus comprising a projection chamber.