Importance

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Abstract

A stage apparatus comprises a pedestal, an X axis guide bar which is fixed on the pedestal, an X stage which is movable along an upper surface of the pedestal and the guide bar, and a Y stage which is placed over the X state and movable along the pedestal in a direction of the Y axis. Vacuum-pre-loadable static pressure air bearings, in which pressures of vacuum ports are independently controllable, are provided on a surface of the X stage opposing to the pedestal and on another surface of the X stage opposing to the X axis guide bar. By using the stage apparatus, the electric power consumption of driving means for movable units can be reduced, the amount of heat generation can be reduced, and the bearing gap can be adjusted highly accurately after assembling.

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First Claim