Patent ID: 8284379
Filing Date: 2012-10-09
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
1. A device for holding an object, comprising: a chuck comprising an object-mounting surface that contacts and holds a corresponding portion of the object, a deformable membrane coupled to at least a portion of the object-mounting surface such that a conformational change in the deformable membrane produces a corresponding change in the object-mounting surface, and a first cavity defined at least in part by the deformable membrane; a chuck cavity defined between the deformable membrane and the object-mounting surface; and a pressure-changing device coupled to the first cavity to change pressure in the first cavity, relative to outside the first cavity, sufficiently to produce a conformational change of the deformable membrane and a corresponding change in the object-mounting surface sufficient to reduce a force with which the portion of the object is being held to the object-mounting surface.