Abstract: A support table for a lithographic apparatus, a method of loading a substrate, a lithographic apparatus and a method for manufacturing a device using a lithographic apparatus. In one arrangement, a support table is configured to support a substrate. The support table has a base surface. The base surface faces a surface of the substrate when the substrate is supported by the support table. One or more gas cushion members are provided above the base surface. Each of the gas cushion members includes a recess. The recess is shaped and configured such that a lowering of the substrate into a position on the support table at which the substrate is supported by the support table causes a localised build-up of pressure within the recess. The localized build-up of pressure provides a localised gas cushioning effect during the lowering of the substrate.

Abstract: A system for positioning, a stage system, a lithographic apparatus, a method for positioning and a method for manufacturing a device in which use is made of a stage system. The stage system has a plurality of air bearing devices. Each air bearing device has: a gas bearing body which has a free surface, a primary channel which extends through the bearing body and has an inlet opening in the free surface, and a secondary channel system which extends through the bearing body and which has a plurality of discharge openings in the free surface. The flow resistance in the secondary channel system can be higher than the flow resistance in the primary channel.

Abstract: A method for unloading a substrate from a support table configured to support the substrate, the method including: supplying gas to a gap between a base surface of the support table and the substrate via a plurality of gas flow openings in the support table, wherein during an initial phase of unloading the gas is supplied through at least one gas flow opening in an outer region of the support table and not through any gas flow opening in a central region of the support table radially inward of the outer region, and during a subsequent phase of unloading the gas is supplied through at least one gas flow opening in the outer region and at least one gas flow opening in the central region.

Abstract: A method for unloading a substrate from a support table configured to support the substrate, the method including: supplying gas to a gap between a base surface of the support table and the substrate via a plurality of gas flow openings in the support table, wherein during an initial phase of unloading the gas is supplied through at least one gas flow opening in an outer region of the support table and not through any gas flow opening in a central region of the support table radially inward of the outer region, and during a subsequent phase of unloading the gas is supplied through at least one gas flow opening in the outer region and at least one gas flow opening in the central region.

Abstract: A substrate support for supporting a substrate in a lithographic apparatus, the substrate support including: a support body configured to support the substrate; a main body separate from the support body and configured to support the support body, the main body including a thermal conditioner configured to thermally condition the main body and/or support body and/or substrate; and an extractor body surrounding the main body and the support body, the extractor body having an extraction channel configured to extract fluid from near a peripheral part of the substrate.

Abstract: A substrate holder for use in a lithographic apparatus and configured to support a substrate, the substrate holder including a main body having a main body surface; a plurality of burls projecting from the main body surface to support the substrate spaced apart from the main body surface; and a liquid control structure provided in a peripheral region of the main body surface and configured to cause liquid to preferentially flow toward the periphery of the main body surface.

Abstract: Substrate tables and methods of manufacturing substrate supports for substrate tables. In one arrangement, a plurality of holes are formed through a base member. A burl formation member is joined to the base member. A plurality of burl structures are formed in the burl formation member. Each burl structure includes a distal surface that contacts, in use, a substrate being supported. Each burl structure has an opening to at least one of the holes formed through the base member.

Abstract: An extraction body for a support apparatus of a lithographic apparatus. The support apparatus is configured to support an object. The extraction body is formed with an opening at a surface thereof. The opening extends within the extraction body forming a first passageway. The first passageway is configured to fluidly communicate an extraction channel in the extraction body to liquid between the surface and the object. A first pressure in the extraction channel is less than ambient pressure. At least a part of the first passageway is sized and dimensioned such that when the liquid enters the first passageway via the opening, a second pressure in the first passageway associated with surface tension of the liquid is lower than the first pressure such that at least a portion of the liquid is retained in the first passageway.

Abstract: A support table for a lithographic apparatus, a method of loading a substrate, a lithographic apparatus and a method for manufacturing a device using a lithographic apparatus. In one arrangement, a support table is configured to support a substrate. The support table has a base surface. The base surface faces a surface of the substrate when the substrate is supported by the support table. One or more gas cushion members are provided above the base surface. Each of the gas cushion members includes a recess. The recess is shaped and configured such that a lowering of the substrate into a position on the support table at which the substrate is supported by the support table causes a localised build-up of pressure within the recess. The localized build-up of pressure provides a localised gas cushioning effect during the lowering of the substrate.

Abstract: A support table for a lithographic apparatus, a method of loading a substrate, a lithographic apparatus and a method for manufacturing a device using a lithographic apparatus. In one arrangement, a support table is configured to support a substrate. The support table has a base surface. The base surface faces a surface of the substrate when the substrate is supported by the support table. One or more gas cushion members are provided above the base surface. Each of the gas cushion members includes a recess. The recess is shaped and configured such that a lowering of the substrate into a position on the support table at which the substrate is supported by the support table causes a localised build-up of pressure within the recess. The localized build-up of pressure provides a localised gas cushioning effect during the lowering of the substrate.

Abstract: A substrate holder for use in a lithographic apparatus and configured to support a substrate, the substrate holder including a main body having a main body surface; a plurality of burls projecting from the main body surface to support the substrate spaced apart from the main body surface; and a liquid control structure provided in a peripheral region of the main body surface and configured to cause liquid to preferentially flow toward the periphery of the main body surface.

Abstract: A substrate holder for use in a lithographic apparatus and configured to support a substrate, the substrate holder including a main body having a main body surface; a plurality of burls projecting from the main body surface to support the substrate spaced apart from the main body surface; and a liquid control structure provided in a peripheral region of the main body surface and configured to cause liquid to preferentially flow toward the periphery of the main body surface.

Abstract: An extraction body for a support apparatus of a lithographic apparatus. The support apparatus is configured to support an object. The extraction body is formed with an opening at a surface thereof. The opening extends within the extraction body forming a first passageway. The first passageway is configured to fluidly communicate an extraction channel in the extraction body to liquid between the surface and the object. A first pressure in the extraction channel is less than ambient pressure. At least a part of the first passageway is sized and dimensioned such that when the liquid enters the first passageway via the opening, a second pressure in the first passageway associated with surface tension of the liquid is lower than the first pressure such that at least a portion of the liquid is retained in the first passageway.

Abstract: An extraction body for a support apparatus of a lithographic apparatus. The support apparatus is configured to support an object. The extraction body is formed with an opening at a surface thereof. The opening extends within the extraction body forming a first passageway. The first passageway is configured to fluidly communicate an extraction channel in the extraction body to liquid between the surface and the object. A first pressure in the extraction channel is less than ambient pressure. At least a part of the first passageway is sized and dimensioned such that when the liquid enters the first passageway via the opening, a second pressure in the first passageway associated with surface tension of the liquid is lower than the first pressure such that at least a portion of the liquid is retained in the first passageway.

Abstract: A substrate holder for use in a lithographic apparatus and configured to support a substrate, the substrate holder including a main body having a main body surface; a plurality of burls projecting from the main body surface to support the substrate spaced apart from the main body surface; and a liquid control structure provided in a peripheral region of the main body surface and configured to cause liquid to preferentially flow toward the periphery of the main body surface.

Abstract: A support table for a lithographic apparatus, a method of loading a substrate, a lithographic apparatus and a method for manufacturing a device using a lithographic apparatus. In one arrangement, a support table is configured to support a substrate. The support table has a base surface. The base surface faces a surface of the substrate when the substrate is supported by the support table. One or more gas cushion members are provided above the base surface. Each of the gas cushion members includes a recess. The recess is shaped and configured such that a lowering of the substrate into a position on the support table at which the substrate is supported by the support table causes a localised build-up of pressure within the recess. The localized build-up of pressure provides a localised gas cushioning effect during the lowering of the substrate.

Abstract: A substrate holder (WT) for use in a lithographic apparatus and configured to support a substrate, the substrate holder comprising: a main body (20) having a main body surface; and a plurality of burls (21) projecting from the main body surface; wherein each burl has a distal end configured to engage with the substrate; the distal ends of the burls substantially conform to a support plane whereby a substrate can be supported in a substantially flat state on the burls; and a flow control feature (22, 22c, 22d) configured to form a gas cushion adjacent the periphery of the substrate holder when a substrate is being lowered onto the substrate holder.

Abstract: A support table, a method of loading a substrate, a lithographic apparatus and a method of manufacturing a device using a lithographic apparatus are disclosed. In one arrangement, a support table is configured to support a substrate. The support table has a base surface. The base surface faces a bottom surface of the substrate when the substrate is supported by the support table. One or more gas cushion members are provided above the base surface. Each of the gas cushion members includes a recess. The recess is shaped and configured such that a lowering of the substrate into a position on the support table at which the substrate is supported by the support table causes a localized build-up of pressure within the recess. The localized build-up of pressure provides a localized gas cushioning effect during the lowering of the substrate.

Abstract: An object table to support an object, the object table having a support body, an object holder to hold an object, an opening adjacent an edge of the object holder, and a channel in fluid communication with the opening via a passageway, wherein the channel is defined by a first material which is different to a second material defining the passageway.

Abstract: A system for positioning, a stage system, a lithographic apparatus, a method for positioning and a method for manufacturing a device in which use is made of a stage system. The stage system has a plurality of air bearing devices. Each air bearing device has: a gas bearing body which has a free surface, a primary channel which extends through the bearing body and has an inlet opening in the free surface, and a secondary channel system which extends through the bearing body and which has a plurality of discharge openings in the free surface. The flow resistance in the secondary channel system can be higher than the flow resistance in the primary channel.