Patent ID: 7372548

Claim:
In a photolithography system, a method for controlling a first reticle-masking blade having at least a first masking edge and a second masking edge, the method comprising: (1) supporting the first reticle-masking blade with a first stage; (2) producing a first magnetic force to levitate the first stage, wherein the first magnetic force is produced through an application of substantially constant current to at least one coil group of a plurality of coil groups, and wherein each coil group within the plurality of coil groups is oriented orthogonally with respect to adjacent coil groups; and (3) moving the levitated first stage in a plane normal to a direction of levitation through an application of varying currents to at least one coil group of the plurality of coil groups, such that said first reticle-masking blade partially overlaps a second reticle-masking blade having at least a third masking edge parallel to said first masking edge of said first reticle-masking blade, and a fourth masking edge parallel to said second masking edge of said first reticle-masking blade, wherein said first through fourth respective masking edges of said first and second reticle-masking blades define an exposure aperture.