Patent ID: 6903808

Claim:
A low-profile vernier x-y-theta substrate chuck for mounting to the vacuum-equipped movable platform of a high-resolution stage for multi-exposure projection lithography on a substrate of greater area than the area of the substrate chuck, characterized by: a) an x-bracket which serves as a mounting frame and has multiple supporting means and locating surfaces for other elements; b) x-bracket adjustment means mounted on said x-bracket; c) an x- y-bracket, having a slideway, mounted operatively to said x-bracket; d) a y, theta bracket, mounted slidably in said slideway of said x-y bracket, said y, theta bracket having a central yaw shaft opening and vacuum channel; e) a yaw shaft fitted within said yaw shaft opening; f) y-bracket adjustment means; g) a configured yaw vacuum diffuser bracket ( 5 ) having a top surface forming an apron, having a number of vacuum diffuser plate support islands ( 14 ) providing a support plane for a vacuum diffuser plate ( 7 ); and having a peripheral vacuum diffuser plate locating relief ( 25 ), with diffuser plate support islands ( 14 ) and peripheral vacuum diffuser plate locating relief ( 24 ) having a vertical position appropriate for supporting the bottom surface of a vacuum diffuser plate ( 7 ) with its top surface flush with the apron top surface of said yaw vacuum diffuser bracket ( 5 ) as a substrate support plane; h) a vacuum diffuser plate ( 7 ), mounted to said yaw vacuum diffuser bracket ( 5 ); and i) adjustment means, for x, y and theta adjustment while mounted on the movable platform of such high resolution stage.