Patent ID: 8854603
Filing Date: 2014-10-07
Classification: G02B,G03F

Abstract:
1. A weight force compensator configured to mount an optical element and to compensate for a force F which acts in a direction z and which is applied to a force application point in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, the weight force compensator comprising: an armature of a compensation element, the armature being movable in the direction z of the force F and encompassing the force application point, the compensation element having a first force-distance characteristic curve in the direction z of the force F, a first bearing stiffness S a guide mechanism having a second force-distance characteristic curve in the direction of the force F to guide the armature of the compensation element, the guide mechanism having a second bearing stiffness S wherein: the resulting force-distance characteristic curve has at least two points z 0 * which are spaced apart from one another by more than the first distance interval Δz 1 ; and in the resulting force-distance characteristic curve, the difference ΔFF 1 around the force F is assigned to a distance interval greater than Δz 1 .