Patent ID: 8823309

Claim:
A stage device comprising: a base; a first table which is guided in a first direction with respect to said base; a second table which is guided in a second direction orthogonal to said first direction with respect to said base; a sub table which is guided in said second direction on said first table; a top table which is guided in said first direction on said second table; a coupling member for coupling said sub table to said top table; first drive means for driving said first table in said first direction; and second drive means for driving said second table in said second direction; wherein said first drive means and said second drive means move said top table in two dimensions; said base has a size substantially equivalent to a movable range of said top table which is the sum of a size of said top table and a movable stroke of said top table, said first drive means comprises a linear motor which is disposed in parallel along said first direction and near an end of said base in said second direction, said second drive means comprises a linear motor which is disposed in parallel along said second direction and near an end of said base in said first direction, each of said linear motors comprises a stator having a boxy structure one side of which is open, and a mover moving inside of said stator, the linear motor forming said first drive means is installed so that the opening of said stator faces outside with respect to said second direction, seen from the center of said base, and the linear motor forming said second drive means is installed so that the opening of said stator faces upward vertically with respect to said first direction and said second direction.