Patent ID: 6509953
Filing Date: 2003-01-21
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
An exposure apparatus which exposes a pattern of a mask onto an object while the mask and the object are moving in a scanning direction, comprising:a first stage that moves the mask in the scanning direction; a second stage that moves the object in the scanning direction; a third stage that is moveable relative to said first stage to position said mask, and third stage holding said mask; a drive located between the first stage and the third stage to drive said third stage relative to said first stage; and a control device having a microprocessor to control at least the first stage and third stage by the drive, said control device initiating a movement of the first stage and a movement of the third stage relative to said first stage at the same time prior to a start of an exposure operation that exposes the pattern onto the object and moving said first stage and said third stage at a constant velocity during the exposure operation to suppress a following error between the mask and the object in the scanning direction.