Patent ID: 6747732
Filing Date: 2004-06-08
Classification: G03F,Y10T

Abstract:
An exposure apparatus that exposes a pattern of a mask onto an object by a projection system, comprising:a frame that has a support member to support the projection system and a suspended member that is suspended from the support member; a first base that is coupled to the support member, the first base having a first horizontal plane; a second base that is coupled to the suspended member such that the suspended member receives the weight of the second base, the second base having a second horizontal plane that is located below the first horizontal plane; a mask stage that is movably supported by the first horizontal plane to retain the mask, the mask stage having a first reflective member; an object stage that is movably supported by the second horizontal plane to retain the object, the object stage having a second reflective member; a first linear motor that has a first member coupled to the mask stage and a second member to move the mask stage parallel to the first horizontal plane; a second linear motor that moves the object stage parallel to the second horizontal plane; a first interferometer system that cooperates with the first reflective member to detect a position of the mask stage, the first interferometer system being supported by the frame; a second interferometer system that cooperates with the second reflective member to detect a position of the object stage, the second interferometer system being supported by the frame; and a reaction frame that is dynamically isolated from the frame to receive a reaction force caused by a movement of the mask stage, the reaction frame having a member that is located above the suspended member and coupled to the second member of the first linear motor.