Patent ID: 8749753

Claim:
An exposure apparatus which irradiates an energy beam on an object via an optical system and forms a predetermined pattern on the object, the apparatus comprising: a first chamber that houses the optical system and has its inside set to a negative pressure state; a second chamber which houses the first chamber and has its inside set to a negative pressure state with a higher pressure than the first chamber; a movable body which moves holding the object; a seal mechanism which has a loop-shaped static gas bearing member, the static gas bearing member surrounding the object and having an end section on the opposite side of the side that faces the second chamber connected to the movable body in an air tight state, and which isolates the inside of the static gas bearing member from the outside by a surface on the side facing the second chamber of the static gas bearing member forming a predetermined clearance between the static gas bearing member and a predetermined plane of the second chamber facing the object; and a detection system that detects surface position information of the object, the detection system being arranged inside the second chamber and yet outside the first chamber.