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

Claim 14:
15. A method comprising:
supporting an object on a stage, the stage comprising a member having a plurality of gas bearing devices arranged to support the object, wherein each gas bearing device comprises a free surface having multiple discharge openings in the free surface and having an inlet opening in the free surface, wherein the multiple discharge openings are formed in a porous material, wherein the inlet opening is surrounded with the multiple discharge openings, wherein the free surface supports and contacts the object at least during a materials processing of the object, and wherein the discharge openings are arranged to provide pressurized gas and the inlet opening is arranged to provide a sub-atmospheric pressure; and
changing 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.