Patent Number: 
Section: abstract

Stage apparatus are disclosed that include a table that can be driven with multiple degrees of freedom without disturbing any neighboring magnetic fields. Hence, such stage apparatus can be used in charged-particle-beam microlithography apparatus without compromising accuracy and precision of a lithography process being conducted on the substrate by the charged particle beam. From downstream to upstream, a representative stage assembly comprises a first (xe2x80x9clowerxe2x80x9d) stage driven by a respective linear motor along the Y-axis, a frame that can be rotated by a piezo actuator in the xcex8Z direction, a second (upper) stage driven by a respective linear motor along the X-axis, and a table driven by multiple piezo actuators in the xcex8X, xcex8Y, and Z directions. A wafer table, on which a substrate can be mounted, is attached to the xe2x80x9cupperxe2x80x9d surface of the table. The stage assembly allows motion of the wafer table with six degrees of freedom.