Abstract:
Disclosed are, inter alia, optical components that include an optical element (e.g., mirror) and at least three active-isolation mounts mounting the optical element to a frame (e.g., optical barrel or optical frame). An active-isolation mount has a non-contacting actuator connecting a respective location on the optical element to the frame and provides movability of the respective location relative to the frame in at least one direction. At least one displacement sensor is associated with each respective location on the optical element. The displacement sensors are sensitive to displacements of the respective locations in at least one respective direction and reference the displacements to an absolute reference. The actuators and sensors are connected to a servo control loop to provide feedback control.
Abstract:
A precision assembly (210) for positioning a device (226) includes a stage (260) that retains the device (226), a dual mover assembly (228) that moves the stage (260), and the device (226) along a movement axis (266), a measurement system (222) and a control system (224). The dual mover assembly (228) includes a first mover (262) that moves the stage (260) along the movement axis (266) and a second mover (264) that moves the device (226) along the movement axis (266). The second mover (264) is rigidly coupled to the first mover (262) so that movement of the first mover (262) results in movement of the second mover (264). Further, the total output of the dual mover assembly (228) along the movement axis (266) is equal to the sum of the movement of the first mover (262) and the movement of the second mover (264). The measurement system (222) measures a movement position along the movement axis (266). The control system (224) controls the dual mover assembly (228) utilizing the movement position. The control system (224) is designed to effectively decouple the control of the first mover (262) from the control of the second mover (264). Further, the control system (224) includes a quantization feedforward loop.
Abstract:
A stage assembly (220) for moving a device (200) includes a stage (208), and actuator pair (226) and a control system (224). The actuator pair (226) includes a first actuator (228) that is coupled to the stage (208). The first actuator (228) has a first E core (236) and a first I core (240) that is spaced apart a first gap (g1) from the first E core (236). The control system (224) directs current to the first actuator (228) to move the stage (208). In one embodiment, the amount of current directed to the first actuator (228) is determined utilizing a first parameter (a) that is added to the first gap (g1). The value of the first parameter (a) is determined by experimental testing. Additionally, the amount of current directed to the first actuator (228) can be determined utilizing a second parameter (b) that is added to the first gap (g1). The value of the second parameter (b) is determined by experimental testing.
Abstract:
A stage assembly (220) for moving a device (200) includes a stage (208), an attraction-only type actuator pair (426) that moves the stage (208), and a control system (24). In one embodiment, the actuator pair (426) includes a first electromagnet (436F), a first conductor (438F) and a first target (440F) having a first target surface (442F). The actuator pair also includes a second electromagnet (436S), a second conductor (438S) and a second target (440S) having a second target surface (442S). The first electromagnet (436F) is positioned at a first angle θ1 relative to a first target surface (442F) and the second electromagnet (436S) is positioned at a second angle θ2 relative to the second target surface (442S). The control system (24) directs a first current to one or more of the electromagnets based on at least one of the angles θ1, θ2. Further, one or more electromagnets (436) can include a first measurement point and a second measurement point. The control system (24) can direct current to the actuator pair (426) based on the relative distance between the first and second measurement points and the corresponding target surface (442).
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for providing a stage with a relatively high positioning bandwidth and low transmissibility are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for positioning a stage including providing a first force of a first magnitude to the stage using a primary actuator and providing a second force of a second magnitude to the stage using a secondary actuator. The first force is arranged to cause the stage to translate along a first axis. The secondary actuator is also arranged to cause the stage to translate along the first axis, and has a relatively high positioning bandwidth. The first force is arranged to enable the stage to be relatively coarsely positioned and the second force is arranged to enable the stage to be relatively finely positioned. In one embodiment, the secondary actuator is one of a voice coil motor and a piezoelectric motor.
Abstract:
An actuator assembly (432) for positioning a pad (48) includes a first actuator assembly (440), a second actuator subassembly (442) and a control system (524). In one embodiment, the first actuator subassembly (440) includes a first core (502), and a conductor (504) secured to the first core (502), and the second actuator subassembly (442) includes a second core (506) spaced apart a component gap (444) from the first core (502). Further, the control system (524) directs current to the conductor (504) to attract the second core (506) to the first core (502). In one embodiment, the amount of current directed to the conductor (504) is calculated without measuring the component gap (444).
Abstract:
A positioning method in which a system performs operations relative to areas on a substrate by a series of relative movements between the system and substrate scanning exposures. The method includes the steps of disposing a first area relative to a system performing an operation relative to the first area, and moving the substrate from a first position where the first operation relative to the first area has finished to a second position where a second operation relative to a second area is to start, and synchronously moving the system from a third position where the first operation relative to the first area has finished to a fourth position where the second operation relative to the second area is to start. An acceleration of the substrate during movement from the first position to the second position and an acceleration of the system during movement from the third position to the fourth position continually have absolute values greater than zero.
Abstract:
A method for determining a commutation offset for a mover (250A) of a mover assembly (220C) that moves and positions a stage (220A) relative to a stage base (220B) includes controlling the mover assembly (220C) in a closed loop fashion to maintain the position of the stage (220A) along a first axis and along a second axis with the stage (220A) levitated above the stage base (220B). The method also includes the steps of (i) directing current to a coil array (240) of the mover assembly (220C) so that the mover assembly (220C) imparts a disturbance on the stage (220A); and (ii) evaluating one or more forces generated by the mover assembly (220C) as a result of the disturbance on the stage (220A) created by the mover (250A). Further, a method for generating a compensation map (1402) includes sequentially directing a plurality of excitation signals to the control of the mover assembly (220C) and determining the control commands that result from the plurality of excitation signals.
Abstract:
Disclosed are, inter alia, optical components that include an optical element (e.g., mirror) and at least three active-isolation mounts mounting the optical element to a frame (e.g., optical barrel or optical frame). An active-isolation mount has a non-contacting actuator connecting a respective location on the optical element to the frame and provides movability of the respective location relative to the frame in at least one direction. At least one displacement sensor is associated with each respective location on the optical element. The displacement sensors are sensitive to displacements of the respective locations in at least one respective direction and reference the displacements to an absolute reference. The actuators and sensors are connected to a servo control loop to provide feedback control.
Abstract:
A projection optical device includes a projection optical system which projects an image of a pattern, a support device having a flexible structure to support the projection optical system, and a positioning device having an actuator to position the projection optical system. The projection optical device can include a frame to which one end of the flexible structure is attached. The projection optical system may hang from the frame via the support device, or it may be supported from below by the support device. A projection optical device also can include a liquid supply which supplies a temperature-controlled liquid to a side surface of a projection optical system utilizing gravity to cause the temperature-controlled liquid to flow along the side surface of the projection optical system.