Patent ID: 7230676
Filing Date: 2007-06-12
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
1. A lithographic apparatus comprising: a patterning device support constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting a radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam; a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a substrate in an exposure station of the apparatus; a liquid confinement system configured to confine liquid in a space between a final element of the projection system and the substrate; a first and a second substrate stage constructed to hold substrates; and an interferometer position measurement system configured to measure a position of the first and second substrate stages, wherein the first and second substrate stages are constructed and arranged to mutually cooperate in order to perform a joint movement to bring the lithographic apparatus from a first configuration, in which the liquid would be confined between a first substrate held by the first substrate stage and the final element, towards a second configuration, in which the liquid would be confined between a second substrate held by the second substrate stage and the final element, such that during the joint movement the liquid is essentially confined within the space with respect to the final element, and wherein the interferometer position measurement system is configured to continuously measure the position of the first substrate stage and the second substrate stage.