Imprinting apparatus

Abstract

An imprinting apparatus comprises a first carrier for carrying a flexible stamp, a set of carrier actuators for translating the first carrier in a direction parallel to a plane of the first carrier, and a second carrier movable relative to the first carrier and configured to carry a substrate having a resist layer. The second carrier comprises a chuck and a set of chuck actuators for translating a portion of the chuck in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the second carrier. This imprinting apparatus provides alignment between the flexible stamp and the substrate by controlling an in-plane position of the first carrier (so enabling X, Y and Rz position control) and controlling Z axis positions of the second carrier (so enabling Rx, Ry and Z position control). Thus, 6DOF position adjustment is enabled with a simple structure. Thus precise control of X, Y and Z translations and rotations is enabled while also enabling loading of substrates and/or stamps.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.