Patent ID: 7907256

Claim:
A stage apparatus having a first stage that is movable with respect to a horizontal plane that is defined by a first axis and a second axis that intersect each other at right angles and a second stage that is movable on the first stage at least in said axial directions and in a rotational direction around a third axis that intersects the horizontal plane, comprising: a first pair of electromagnetic actuators that are arranged so as to face each other along the first axis, each including an I core and an E core that are arranged between the first and second stages and generate acceleration and deceleration forces of the second stage based on acceleration and deceleration forces of the first stage; a second pair of electromagnetic actuators that are arranged so as to face each other along the second axis, each including an I core and an E core that are arranged between the first and second stages and generate acceleration and deceleration forces of the second stage based on acceleration and deceleration forces of the first stage; a first pair of regulating members that face with each other and arranged in parallel with the first axis and are spaced away from each other by a predetermined distance in the second axis; and a second pair of regulating members that face with each other and arranged in parallel with the second axis and are spaced away from each other by a predetermined distance in the first axis, wherein a movement of the second stage in the first axis direction, a rotation of the second stage around the second axis and one of clockwise and counterclockwise rotations of the second stage around the third axis are regulated by the first pair of regulating members, wherein a movement of the second stage in the second axis direction, a rotation of the second stage around the first axis and the other one of clockwise and counterclockwise rotations of the second stage around the third axis are regulated by the second pair of regulating members, and wherein the movement of the second stage in the first and second axis directions, the rotation of the second stage around the first and second axes and both of clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the second stage around the third axis are regulated by four of the regulating members.