Offset gap control for electromagnetic devices
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:
- a first attracting member opposing a second attracting member;
at least one target member situated between the first attracting member and the second attracting member;
at least one actuator that moves at least one of the first attracting member, the second attracting member, and the target member, so as to adjust the distance between the target member and at least one of the first and second attracting members;
at least one sensor that detects a gap between the target member and at least one of the first and second attracting members; and
a controller coupled to the actuator to adjust the size of the gap between the target member and at least one of the first and second attracting members.
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Abstract
A stage apparatus includes a first assembly including a target member, a second assembly including a first attracting member and a second attracting member located on opposite sides of the target member, and an actuator associated with the second assembly. The actuator of the stage apparatus moves the second assembly to adjust the relative distance between the target member and the first attracting member.
36 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a first attracting member opposing a second attracting member;
at least one target member situated between the first attracting member and the second attracting member;
at least one actuator that moves at least one of the first attracting member, the second attracting member, and the target member, so as to adjust the distance between the target member and at least one of the first and second attracting members;
at least one sensor that detects a gap between the target member and at least one of the first and second attracting members; and
a controller coupled to the actuator to adjust the size of the gap between the target member and at least one of the first and second attracting members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of moving a fine stage device, the method comprising:
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connecting a fine stage device to a coarse stage device, the coarse stage device comprising an attracting framework comprising opposing attracting members and at least one target member, wherein the target member is located in a gap between the attracting members and connected to the fine stage device; and
manipulating the relative position of the target member by moving the attracting framework to decrease the distance between one of the attracting members and the target member. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A dual-force-mode fine stage apparatus comprising:
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a first assembly including a target member;
a second assembly including a first attracting member and a second attracting member located on opposite sides of the target member; and
an actuator associated with the second assembly, wherein the actuator moves the second assembly to adjust the relative distance between the target member and the first attracting member.
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13. A dual-force-mode stage assembly comprising:
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a fine stage assembly;
a coarse stage assembly, the coarse stage assembly comprising opposing attracting members, each capable of drawing an electric current, with a gap between the attracting member elements; and
a target member in the gap, the target member being connected to the fine stage assembly, wherein the coarse stage assembly is moveable along an axis independently of the fine stage assembly through a coarse actuator;
a sensor configured to detect a position of the target member so that the relative distance between the target member and the attracting members can be determined; and
a controller coupled to the coarse actuator of the coarse stage assembly to control the position of the attracting members.
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14. A stage device comprising:
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a table that retains an object;
a first attracting member opposing a second attracting member;
at least one target member situated between the first attracting member and the second attracting member, wherein the table is attached to at least one of the first attracting member, the second attracting member, and the target member;
at least one actuator that moves at least one of the first attracting member, the second attracting member, and the target member, so as to adjust the distance between the target member and at least one of the first and second attracting members;
at least one sensor that detects a gap between the target member and at least one of the first and second attracting members; and
a controller coupled to the actuator to adjust the size of the gap between the target member and at least one of the first and second attracting members.
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15. An exposure apparatus comprising:
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an illumination system that irradiates radiant energy; and
a stage device that carries an object disposed on a path of the radiant energy, wherein the stage device comprises;
a table that retains the object;
a first attracting member opposing a second attracting member;
at least one target member situated between the first attracting member and the second attracting member, wherein the table is attached to at least one of the first attracting member, the second attracting member, and the target member;
at least one actuator that moves at least one of the first attracting member, the second attracting member, and the target member, so as to adjust the distance between the target member and at least one of the first and second attracting members;
at least one sensor that detects a gap between the target member and at least one of the first and second attracting members; and
a controller coupled to the actuator to adjust the size of the gap between the target member and at least one of the first and second attracting members. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method for operating an exposure apparatus, the method comprising employing a stage device to position an object, wherein the stage device comprises:
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a table that retains the object;
a first attracting member opposing a second attracting member;
at least one target member situated between the first attracting member and the second attracting member, wherein the table is attached to at least one of the first attracting member, the second attracting member, and the target member;
at least one actuator that moves at least one of the first attracting member, the second attracting member, and the target member, so as to adjust the distance between the target member and at least one of the first and second attracting members;
at least one sensor that detects a gap between the target member and at least one of the first and second attracting members; and
a controller coupled to the actuator to adjust the size of the gap between the target member and at least one of the first and second attracting members. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A method for making a micro-device, the method comprising a photolithography process using a stage device to position an object, wherein the stage device comprises:
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a table that retains the object;
a first attracting member opposing a second attracting member;
at least one target member situated between the first attracting member and the second attracting member, wherein the table is attached to at least one of the first attracting member, the second attracting member, and the target member;
at least one actuator that moves at least one of the first attracting member, the second attracting member, and the target member, so as to adjust the distance between the target member and at least one of the first and second attracting members;
at least one sensor that detects a gap between the target member and at least one of the first and second attracting members; and
a controller coupled to the actuator to adjust the size of the gap between the target member and at least one of the first and second attracting members. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A method for making a semiconductor device on a wafer, the method comprising operating an exposure apparatus via a stage device to position an object, wherein the stage device comprises:
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a table that retains the object;
a first attracting member opposing a second attracting member;
at least one target member situated between the first attracting member and the second attracting member, wherein the table is attached to at least one of the first attracting member, the second attracting member, and the target member;
at least one actuator that moves at least one of the first attracting member, the second attracting member, and the target member, so as to adjust the distance between the target member and at least one of the first and second attracting members;
at least one sensor that detects a gap between the target member and at least one of the first and second attracting members; and
a controller coupled to the actuator to adjust the size of the gap between the target member and at least one of the first and second attracting members. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification