Magnetically shielded linear motors, and stage apparatus comprising same

摘要

Stage apparatus are disclosed that provide high-accuracy positioning and movements of a stage platform, while generating reduced stray magnetic-field fluctuations and perturbations. The stage apparatus include at least one linear motor having a stator and a moving coil. Each stator includes a yoke that includes linear arrays of permanent magnets relative to which the moving coil, attached to the stage platform, moves inside a linearly extended coil gap in the yoke. A magnetic-shield plate extends around all outer surfaces and edges of the yoke as well adjacent the coil gap. The magnetic-shield plate is made of a magnetic material having high magnetic permeability.