Patent ID: 7952686

Claim:
A stage apparatus which includes a stage and moves the stage in at least a first direction, said stage apparatus comprising: a plurality of holding units fixed on the stage to extend in the first direction, the first direction being a longitudinal direction, each of said holding units including (i) a first portion, (ii) a second portion arranged between the first portion and the stage, and (iii) a third portion arranged between the second portion and the stage, the first portion including a holding surface configured to hold an object, wherein a length of the second portion in the first direction is less than a length of the first portion in the first direction, and the length of the second portion in the first direction is less than a length of the third portion in the first direction, wherein ends of the second portion are determined by two slits extending from both ends of said holding units in the first direction towards a central portion of said holding units, and wherein the first portion is connected to the third portion at only one point via the second portion.