Patent ID: 11860552
Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
Field: Optics (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G  H | IPC G  H

Claim 0:
1. A stage system for positioning an object, the stage system comprising:
a member having a plurality of gas bearing devices arranged to support the object; and
a control device,
wherein each gas bearing device comprises a free surface having multiple discharge openings in the free surface and an inlet opening in the free surface, the multiple discharge openings are formed in a porous material and the inlet opening is surrounded with the multiple discharge openings,
wherein the free surface is arranged to support and contact the object at least during a materials processing of the object,
wherein the discharge openings are arranged to provide pressurized gas and the inlet opening is arranged to provide a sub-atmospheric pressure, and
wherein the control device is arranged to change a shape of the object by controlling a pressure and/or a gas flow rate at the discharge openings of at least one of the gas bearing devices and/or by controlling a pressure and/or a gas flow rate at the inlet opening of at least one of the gas bearing devices.