Monolithic stage positioning system and method

1. A system for positioning a workpiece, the system comprising:

a monolithic stage configured to support the workpiece, the monolithic stage comprising a plurality of linear forcers;

a ferromagnetic base plate positioned below the monolithic stage;

an air bearing between the monolithic stage and the ferromagnetic base plate, the air bearing to provide a levitating force to the monolithic stage;

a magnetic track coupled directly to the ferromagnetic base plate, the magnetic track creating a magnetic field, the linear forcers each operable to carry a current through the magnetic field created by the magnetic track, the currents generating forces to provide planar motion to the monolithic stage in three degrees of freedom; and

at least one coil winding attached to the monolithic stage, the at least one coil winding to provide motion in at least a fourth degree of freedom using magnetic attraction with the ferromagnetic base plate.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the linear forcers extends beyond the magnetic track, and wherein the monolithic stage is configured to move the workpiece within a work area defined by the magnetic track.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the linear forcers provide motion in an X-axis direction, motion in a Y-axis direction, and rotation about a Z-axis.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic track comprises a plurality of individual magnets, and wherein the plurality of magnets is arranged such that the polarity of adjacent magnets alternates.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the linear forcers are arranged symmetrically about the monolithic stage.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one coil winding comprises four coil windings, the four coil windings operable to provide translation in a Z-axis direction, rotation about an X-axis, and rotation about a Y-axis using magnetic attraction with the ferromagnetic base plate.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the four coil windings are arranged symmetrically about the monolithic stage.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of linear forcers and the four coil windings allow for the monolithic stage to be positioned with six degrees of freedom.

9. A method for positioning a workpiece, the method comprising:

providing a monolithic stage to carry a workpiece;

generating an air bearing between a ferromagnetic base plate and the monolithic stage by forcing pressurized air out of an orifice in the monolithic stage, the air bearing providing a levitating force to the monolithic stage;

generating a magnetic field using a magnetic track, which is coupled directly to the ferromagnetic base plate;

selectively driving a current through a plurality of linear forcers attached to the monolithic stage in the presence of the magnetic field, such that the current selectively generates forces to provide planar motion to the monolithic stage in three degrees of freedom; and

selectively driving a current through at least one coil winding attached to the monolithic stage to provide motion in at least a fourth degree of freedom using magnetic attraction with the ferromagnetic base plate.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the linear forcers extends beyond the magnetic track, and wherein the monolithic stage is configured to move the workpiece within a work area defined by the magnetic track.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein selectively driving a current through a plurality of linear forcers generates motion in an X-axis direction, motion in a Y-axis direction, and rotation about a Z-axis.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the linear forcers are arranged symmetrically about the monolithic stage.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the four coil windings are arranged symmetrically about the monolithic stage.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of linear forcers and the four coil windings provide motion in six degrees of freedom.

15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the at least one coil winding comprises four coil windings, and wherein the method further comprises:

selectively driving a current through the four coil windings generates translation in a Z-axis direction, rotation about an X-axis, and rotation about a Y-axis using magnetic attraction with the ferromagnetic base plate.

16. A system for positioning a workpiece, the system comprising:

means for carrying a workpiece on a monolithic stage;

means for generating an air bearing between a ferromagnetic base plate and the monolithic stage by forcing pressurized air out of an orifice in the monolithic stage, the air bearing providing a levitating force to the monolithic stage;

means for generating a magnetic field using a magnetic track, which is coupled directly to the ferromagnetic base plate;

means for selectively driving a current through a plurality of linear forcers attached to the monolithic stage in the presence of the magnetic field, such that the current selectively generates forces to provide planar motion to the monolithic stage in three degrees of freedom; and

means for selectively driving a current through at least one coil winding attached to the monolithic stage to provide motion in at least a fourth degree of freedom using magnetic attraction with the ferromagnetic base plate.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein at least one of the linear forcers extends beyond the magnetic track, and wherein the monolithic stage is moveable within a work area defined by the magnetic track.

18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the linear forcers are arranged symmetrically about the monolithic stage.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the at least one coil winding comprises four coil windings, and wherein the method further comprises:

selectively driving a current through the four coil windings generates translation in a Z-axis direction, rotation about an X-axis, and rotation about a Y-axis using magnetic attraction with the ferromagnetic base plate.

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the four coil windings are arranged symmetrically about the monolithic stage.