Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is configured to project a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate. The apparatus includes a gas purged sealing aperture extending between at least two different zones of the apparatus, and a gas supplier configured to supply the sealing aperture one or more gases selected from a group including hydrogen, deuterium, heavy hydrogen, deuterated hydrogen, and a mixture of argon and hydrogen.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a patterning device for patterning a beam of radiation, a projection system for projecting the patterned beam of radiation onto a substrate, a gas purged sealing aperture extending between different zones of the apparatus, and a gas supply arrangement for supplying a mixture of at least argon and hydrogen to the sealing aperture.

Abstract: A vacuum operated lithographic apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vacuum housing for providing a vacuum environment to a support constructed to support a patterning device, or a substrate table, or a projection system, or any combination thereof. An interior of the vacuum housing includes a plurality of transport circuits for transporting fluids and/or electrical signals for use in a first process mode for lithographic processing. At least one of the transport circuits is adapted to transport energy towards the interior of the vacuum housing to stimulate outgassing in the vacuum housing for use in a second process mode for bringing the lithographic apparatus into a vacuum operating condition.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for sealing a slit between two regions in a lithographic apparatus is disclosed. The assembly includes a vacuum pumping device that extends substantially in a longitudinal slit direction for at least partially preventing particle transmission in a transversal slit direction.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for maintaining a machine part arranged in an interior space of a machine, where the interior space is kept at a first pressure and is separated from an environment having a second pressure via a load lock. The method includes transporting a machine part via the load lock out of the interior space and transporting via the load lock into the interior space one of the maintained machine part and a separate replacement machine part.