Veeco Instruments Inc. recently announced that it has acquired ThermoMicroscopes, formerly a subsidiary of Thermo Electron Corp. Specific terms of the transaction were not disclosed. ThermoMicroscopes, which will now be called TM Microscopes, manufactures atomic force microscopes (AFM), scanning probe microscopes (SPM), near field optical microscopes and probes. TM Microscopes is based in Sunnyvale, Calif., and had 2000 sales of approximately $14 million. Edward H. Braun, chairman, CEO and president of Veeco commented, "This purchase broadens our AFM product line, adds proprietary tip technology, and allows us to offer a versatile research microscope product line ideal for a variety of material science and nanoscience applications." TM Microscope's employees will remain in Sunnyvale and will become part of the Veeco Metrology Group, headed by President Don Kania, Ph.D.

Additional information on Veeco can be found at http://www.veeco.com.