Patent · US Expired

Stage assembly including a reaction assembly

US6593997B1 · kind B1 · utility

10Cited by
19References
40Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 16, 2000
Grant dateJul 15, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 16, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03F7/70766
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A stage assembly (10) for moving and positioning a device (26) is provided herein. The stage assembly (10) includes a stage base (12), a stage (14), a stage mover assembly (16), and a reaction assembly (18). The stage mover assembly (16) moves the stage (14) along an X axis and along a Y axis relative to the stage base (12). The reaction assembly (18) is coupled to the stage mover assembly (16). Uniquely, the reaction assembly (18) counteracts and reduces the reaction forces created by the stage mover assembly (16) in two degrees of freedom that are transferred to a reaction base (102). With this design, stage mover assembly (16) has less influence upon the position of the stage base (12). These features allow for more accurate positioning of the device (26) by the stage assembly (10) and better performance of the stage assembly (10).

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.