Patent ID: 7236233

Claim:
An assembly for use in a lithographic apparatus, the assembly comprising: a reticle; and a reticle holder, the reticle holder being adjustable between a form closed reticle blocking state for engaging the reticle, and a reticle releasing state for releasing the reticle, wherein the reticle holder comprises a first retaining element and a second retaining element, the first and second retaining elements being located at opposite edges of the reticle and being constructed and arranged to hold the reticle therebetween, the first and second retaining elements being arranged to (1) prevent movement of the reticle with respect to the reticle holder in at least one direction without friction when the reticle holder is in the form closed reticle blocking state, and (2) release the reticle when the reticle holder is in the reticle releasing state.