Patent ID: 7635260

Claim:
An imprint apparatus for forming an imprinted pattern on a member to be processed or a pattern forming material on the member to be processed, by using a mold having a pattern, said apparatus comprising: a first holding portion for holding the mold; a second holding portion for holding the member to be processed, the member to be processed being a flat plate-like member and being capable of bending by its own weight, said second holding support portion being movable in a direction of a first axis and a direction of a second axis, and also movable in a direction parallel to a plane defined by the first axis and the second axis; a support portion for partially supporting the member to be processed at a position opposite to the mold held by said first holding portion, said support portion being movable, independently of said first holding portion, perpendicularly to the plane defined by the first axis and the second axis; and a control circuit for controlling a relative position between said second holding portion and said support portion by controlling a position of (a) said second holding portion in the direction of the first axis and the second axis, as well as the direction parallel to the plane defined by the first axis and the second axis, and (b) said support portion in the direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the first axis and the second axis, so that said support portion (i) partially supports the member to be processed, so that an amount of bending of the member to be processed in a direction of gravitation is decreased, and (ii) moves apart from the member to be processed.