Patent ID: 6852989

Claim:
A lithographic projection apparatus comprising: a patterning structure which can be used to pattern a projection beam according to a desired pattern; a substrate table constructed and arranged to support a substrate; a projection system constructed and arranged to image the patterned beam onto target portions of the substrate, an object table positioning system constructed and arranged to position at least one of said patterning structure and said substrate table in a plane, said object table positioning system including: a first side-beam having a first slider mounted thereon; a first motor that moves the first slider along the first side beam; a cross-beam mounted near a first end thereof to said first slider and having a second slider mounted thereon, said cross-beam and said first slider being mounted together so as to form a body that is substantially rigid in translation in said plane and in rotation about an axis normal to said plane, and said second slider having an object holder to hold the at least one of said patterning structure and said substrate table; and a thrust bearing pivotally mounted to said first slider, said thrust bearing transmitting a force in said plane and substantially perpendicular to said first side beam between said cross-beam and said first side beam.