Nanometrics Acquires Optical Specialties Product Line

Semiconductor metrology system manufacturer Nanometrics Inc. (Sunnyvale, CA) has acquired exclusive ownership of the Metra semiconductor metrology product line from Optical Specialties Inc. (Fremont, CA). The agreement covers all related assets including inventory, product test equipment, and intellectual property including patents, software, and design information. Key Metra employees have transferred to Nanometrics, and the company has assumed responsibility for sales and service of the existing installed base of nearly 200 Metra systems worldwide.

The acquisition was a cash transaction, which will be partially charged to first quarter results. Nanometrics produces automated systems used to measure physical dimensions of circuit elements. The optically-based Metra system measures and maps overlay errors in optical lithography.