SPECTRA PHYSICS LASERS INC
S-1/A, 1997-12-10
SEMICONDUCTORS & RELATED DEVICES
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<PAGE>   1
 
   
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 10, 1997
    
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-38329
================================================================================
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 2
    
                                       TO
 
                                    FORM S-1
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>                                 <C>
              DELAWARE                              3674                             77-0264342
  (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF       (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL              (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
   INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)       CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)            IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
</TABLE>
 
                            1335 TERRA BELLA AVENUE
                                   BUILDING 7
                        MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA 94043
                                 (650) 961-2550
    (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                  OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
 
                               PATRICK L. EDSELL
                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
                            1335 TERRA BELLA AVENUE
                        MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA 94043
                                 (650) 961-2550
           (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
                   INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                                   COPIES TO:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>
              CARMEN J. ROMANO, ESQUIRE                             JEFFREY D. SAPER, ESQUIRE
               JOHN D. LAROCCA, ESQUIRE                           J. ROBERT SUFFOLETTA, ESQUIRE
                DECHERT PRICE & RHOADS                           WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
      4000 BELL ATLANTIC TOWER, 1717 ARCH STREET                     PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
        PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA 19103-2793                           650 PAGE MILL ROAD
                    (215) 994-4000                               PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94304-1050
                                                                          (650) 493-9300
</TABLE>
 
      APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF THE PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
   As soon as practicable on or after the effective date of this Registration
                                   Statement.
                            ------------------------
 
    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box:  [ ]
 
    If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]
 
    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  [ ]
 
    If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434
under the Securities Act of 1933, please check the following box:  [ ]
                            ------------------------
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
     Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
     registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
     Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor
     may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement
     becomes effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or
     the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these
     securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be
     unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws
     of any such State.
 
   
                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 10, 1997
    
 
                                2,400,000 SHARES
 
[LOGO]                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
   
     All of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby are being sold by
Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc. ("Spectra-Physics" or the "Company"). Prior to this
offering, there has been no public market for the Common Stock of the Company.
It is currently estimated that the initial public offering price will be between
$10.00 and $12.00 per share. See "Underwriting" for a discussion of the factors
to be considered in determining the initial public offering price. The Common
Stock has been approved for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market under the
symbol "SPLI."
    
 
     Prior to this offering, Spectra-Physics AB, a Swedish corporation
("Spectra-Physics AB"), indirectly owned 100% of the outstanding shares of the
Company's Common Stock, and upon completion of this offering Spectra-Physics AB
will indirectly own 82.4% of the Company's Common Stock (80.6% if the
Underwriters' overallotment option is exercised in full) and will continue to
control the Company. See "Principal Stockholder" and "Certain Relationships and
Transactions -- Relationship with Spectra-Physics AB."
 
     THIS OFFERING INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. SEE "RISK FACTORS" COMMENCING
ON PAGE 6 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY
PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY.
                            ------------------------
 
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
   AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   ============================================================================================
                                    Price to              Underwriting             Proceeds to
                                     Public                Discount(1)             Company(2)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>                     <C>                     <C>
Per Share..................             $                       $                       $
Total(3)...................             $                       $                       $
============================================================================================
</TABLE>
 
(1) See "Underwriting" for information concerning indemnification of the
    Underwriters and other matters.
 
   
(2) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $1,649,000.
    
 
(3) The Company has granted the Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to
    360,000 additional shares of Common Stock solely to cover over-allotments,
    if any. If the Underwriters exercise this option in full, the Price to
    Public will total $               , the Underwriting Discount will total
    $               and the Proceeds to Company will total $               . See
    "Underwriting."
 
     The shares of Common Stock are offered by the several Underwriters named
herein, subject to receipt and acceptance by them and subject to their right to
reject any order in whole or in part. It is expected that delivery of the
certificates representing such shares will be made against payment therefor at
the office of NationsBanc Montgomery Securities, Inc. on or about             ,
1997.
                            ------------------------
 
NATIONSBANC MONTGOMERY SECURITIES, INC.
 
                                                                 COWEN & COMPANY
 
                                                , 1997
<PAGE>   3
                            [LOGO]  SPECTRA-PHYSICS

                            Customer Focus, Vision,
                       Technology Leadership, Commitment


[Photographs illustrating fiber coupled semiconductor laser, SLPSS laser 
subsystem, semiconductor-based laser system and laser zone texturing system.]

Spectra-Physics is a leader in the design, development, manufacture, and
distribution of laser systems for a broad range of markets. The Company's
semiconductor-based products range from semiconductor lasers, the basic engine,
through semiconductor laser pumped solid state lasers to end user systems.
Through technological innovation, Spectra-Physics is leading the transition to
high power semiconductor-based lasers from conventional lasers such as gas,
liquid and lamp pumped lasers. Vertical integration into strategic technologies
enables Spectra-Physics to control critical aspects of products quality,
significantly improve time-to-market, reduce costs and identify new
applications. Spectra-Physics works closely with its customers to develop its
products and is focused on providing innovative solutions to customers needs.


[Photographs illustrating compact disks, semiconductor wafers and laser
devices.]

Printing. The printing industry is the third largest manufacturing business in
the world. In recent years, the commercial printing industry has increasingly
shifted to thermal-based materials which require high power semiconductor
lasers in the exposure process, replacing silver halide-based film. The Company
believes that the incremental use of thermal-based materials for commercial
printing will increase the demand for high power semiconductor-based lasers.

Materials Processing. Micromachining, marking, stereolithography and
semiconductor manufacturing processing, inspection and repair are growing
applications for SLPSS lasers. Spectra-Physics is a market leader in developing
high power SLPSS lasers for these application with a broad line of pulsed and
CW lasers. As these applications require increased laser performance,
Spectra-Physics is committed to providing its customers with lasers that meet
these requirements.


[Photographs illustrating scientific laser system and laser disk texturing 
system.]

Scientific Laser Systems

Scientific research has always been a source of new technologies and techniques
that lead to broad applications and new markets. For example, the image shown
above is a 3-D reconstruction of a plant cell undergoing meiotic cell division,
created using two-photon microscopy. Over the past 36 years, Spectra-Physics has
created a number of innovative new laser sources for scientific applications.
One of these, the Millenia, a high power SLPSS laser, has become one of the most
popular and successful SLPSS lasers in the history of the R&D market.

Zone Texturing. The data storage industry is rapidly adopting laser-based
processing in a number of applications. One of these is laser zone texturing,
where laser-generated bumps replace a mechanically textured surface on a
magnetic hard disk. The result is a doubling of storage capacity in most cases.
Spectra-Physics' high power SLPSS lasers are the industry standard in this
application. Spectra-Physics has also created a laser-based disk texturing
system for the data storage industry.


[Illustrated time line including the following:]




SPECTRA-PHYSICS: A HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE

1961  
Spectra-Physics, the first commercial laser company, is founded less than
a year after the invention of the laser.

1962-1971  
The early years. Spectra-Physics releases the world's first gas
laser and the world's first ion laser. These types of lasers dominate the laser
market for the next 15 years.

1976  
Spectra-Physics' high power helium neon lasers help enable the creation
of high speed noncontact printing.

1981  
Spectra-Physics' development of a sealed cavity air cooled ion laser
significantly advances the digital prepress market.

1986  
Spectra-Physics introduces the first SLPSS laser, setting the standard
for reliability and ease of use.

1989  
Spectra-Physics creates the first high power SLPSS laser that efficiently
uses high power semiconductor lasers.

1992
Spectra-Physics forms a subsidiary which focuses on high power and lower cost
semiconductor lasers.

1992
Spectra-Physics introduces FCbar semiconductor laser pump technology, which
enables cost effective high power laser systems.

1993
Spectra-Physics enables the rapid development of the direct-to-press market
with its fiber coupled high power semiconductor lasers.

1995
Lasers using FCbar semiconductor pump sources become the industry standard for
SLPSS lasers, rapidly replacing alternatives technologies.

1996
Spectra-Physics introduces Millennia, the first high power continuous wave green
laser. It becomes one of the most successful SLPSS laser products for the R&D
market.

1997
Spectra-Physics more than triples the output power from a single semiconductor
laser device.



        CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THE OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK,
INCLUDING PURCHASES OF THE COMMON STOCK TO STABILIZE ITS MARKET PRICE, PURCHASES
OF THE COMMON STOCK TO COVER SOME OR ALL OF A SHORT POSITION IN THE COMMON STOCK
MAINTAINED BY THE UNDERWRITERS AND THE IMPOSITION OF PENALTY BIDS. FOR A
DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING."


                                       2
<PAGE>   4
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information including "Risk Factors" and Financial Statements and the Notes
thereto appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. The shares of Common Stock
offered hereby involve a high degree of risk. This Prospectus contains, in
addition to historical information, forward looking statements that involve
certain risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ
substantially from the results discussed in the forward looking statements.
Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to,
those discussed in the sections entitled "Risk Factors," "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and
"Business," as well as those discussed elsewhere in this Prospectus. Unless the
context otherwise requires, all references to the "Company" mean Spectra-Physics
Lasers, Inc. and its subsidiaries, after giving effect to the Reorganization
described under "Certain Relationships and Transactions -- Relationship with
Spectra-Physics AB." For an explanation of certain terms used in this
Prospectus, refer to the Glossary at page G-1.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     The Company is a leader in the design, development, manufacture and
distribution of lasers and laser systems for a broad range of markets. The
Company has been a pioneer in the laser industry and has developed a proprietary
and patented portfolio of laser, optic and related manufacturing technologies.
The Company offers two broad product lines: high power semiconductor-based
lasers and laser-based systems, and conventional lasers and laser-related
products. The Company's high power semiconductor-based products range from
semiconductor lasers, the basic engine, through semiconductor laser pumped
lasers to end user systems. Through technological innovation, the Company is
leading the transition to high power semiconductor-based lasers from
conventional lasers such as gas, liquid and lamp pumped lasers. The Company has
been at the forefront of high power semiconductor-based laser technology for the
last 14 years and is leveraging its technical strengths to develop high power
semiconductor-based lasers, which are more efficient, reliable, cost-effective
and compact than existing lasers. These lasers are enabling many new
applications and replacing conventional lasers in existing applications in
industrial, OEM and research and development markets. According to Strategies
Unlimited, a market research firm, the use of high power semiconductor-based
lasers is expected to increase approximately 30% to 40% annually over the next
several years.
 
     The Company is also a leading supplier of conventional lasers and
laser-related products to industrial and research and development customers.
These lasers, while based upon older technology, have unique performance
characteristics that make them the only current solution for certain demanding
technical applications. According to Laser Focus World, the market for
conventional lasers is expected to grow from $1.1 billion in 1996 to $1.3
billion in 1997. The Company's conventional products include ultrafast systems,
amplifier systems, optical parametric oscillators, air and water cooled ion
lasers, high energy flash lamp pumped YAG lasers, optics and optical systems.
The Company's strong market position and technology leadership in these
conventional laser applications enhance its opportunity to expand its high
growth semiconductor-based laser business by generating funds, capitalizing on
strong customer relationships and leveraging its technological expertise.
 
     The Company works closely with its customers to develop its products and is
focused on providing innovative solutions to customer needs. To control critical
aspects of product quality, significantly improve time-to-market, reduce costs
and identify new applications, the Company has vertically integrated into
strategic technologies. The Company sells its products to a wide range of
customers for use in a variety of applications such as commercial printing,
materials processing, medical, research and development, optical data storage
and semiconductor manufacturing, inspection and repair. The Company's customers
include 3D Systems, Becton Dickinson, DaiNippon Screen, Electro-Scientific
Industries, Haemonetics, IBM, KLA/Tencor, Komag, Presstek, Rofin-Sinar, Seagate
and Western Digital.
 
     The Company believes that it is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the
significant market opportunities for high power semiconductor-based lasers and
end-user systems. Key elements of the Company's strategy include: (i)
capitalizing on its leadership in semiconductor-based laser technology; (ii)
developing new applications and markets; (iii) introducing systems products;
(iv) continuing support of conventional laser technology; and (v) leveraging the
benefits of vertical integration.
 
     The Company's principal executive offices are located at 1335 Terra Bella
Avenue, Building 7, Mountain View, California 94043, and its telephone number is
(650) 961-2550.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
                      RELATIONSHIP WITH SPECTRA-PHYSICS AB
 
   
     The Company is currently a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of
Spectra-Physics AB, a multinational corporation based in Sweden, which is listed
for trading on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Upon completion of the offering,
Spectra-Physics AB will own beneficially approximately 82.4% of the Company's
outstanding Common Stock (approximately 80.6% if the Underwriters'
over-allotment option is exercised in full). See "Principal Stockholder."
    
 
     Prior to the Reorganization described below, the Company, Opto Power
Corporation ("Opto Power") and Spectra-Physics Laser Data Systems, Inc. ("Laser
Data"), together with various foreign subsidiaries of Spectra-Physics AB that
conducted sales and technical support operations on their behalf, were operated
as a functional group called the Lasers and Optics Group (collectively, the
"Lasers and Optics Group"). In preparation for the offering, the Lasers and
Optics Group was reorganized (the "Reorganization") in October 1997 so that the
assets and liabilities (including contractual rights and obligations) of the
Lasers and Optics Group are now held directly or indirectly by the Company. In
connection with the Reorganization, the Company has entered into or will enter
into certain agreements with Spectra-Physics AB or its subsidiaries relating to
certain aspects of the ongoing relationships between them, such as
administrative support services and distribution, facilities leasing, trademark
and patent license arrangements. Prior to the closing of the offering, the
Company will also enter into a registration rights agreement with
Spectra-Physics Holdings USA, Inc. ("Spectra-Physics USA"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Spectra-Physics AB. See "Certain Relationships and
Transactions -- Relationship with Spectra-Physics AB" and "Certain Relationships
and Transactions -- Post-Reorganization Agreements."
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
Common Stock offered by the Company..........  2,400,000 shares
Common Stock to be outstanding after the
  offering(1)................................  15,770,948 shares
Use of Proceeds..............................  For general corporate purposes, including
                                               working capital and capital expenditures. See
                                               "Use of Proceeds."
Proposed Nasdaq National Market Symbol.......  "SPLI"
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Excludes 2,158,645 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of stock
    options to be granted by the Company at the time of the offering at an
    exercise price equal to the initial public offering price pursuant to the
    1997 Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc. Stock Option Plan (the "1997 Plan"), and
    includes 370,948 shares of Common Stock (assuming an initial public offering
    price of $11.00 per share) to be issued pursuant to the Company's Option
    Cancellation and Restricted Stock Plan Agreements (the "Restricted Stock
    Plan Agreements") upon completion of the offering. See "Management -- 1997
    Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc. Stock Option Plan" and
    "Management -- Restricted Stock Plan."
                            ------------------------
 
     Except as otherwise indicated, all information contained in this Prospectus
(i) assumes no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option, (ii) gives
effect to the issuance of 370,948 shares of Common Stock (assuming an initial
public offering price of $11.00 per share) pursuant to the Restricted Stock Plan
Agreements as partial consideration for the cancellation of certain Opto Power
stock options and (iii) gives effect to the recapitalization of each share of
the Company's previously issued common stock into 130,000 shares of Common
Stock.
                            ------------------------
 
     FC bar and Millennia are registered trademarks of the Company.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
                      SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                              NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,(1)
              ----------------------------------------------------------------   ------------------------------------------------
               1992      1993      1994       1995       1996         1996        1996         1996         1997         1997
              -------   -------   -------   --------   --------   ------------   -------   ------------   --------   ------------
                                                        ACTUAL    PRO FORMA(2)   ACTUAL    PRO FORMA(2)    ACTUAL    PRO FORMA(2)
                                                       --------   ------------   -------   ------------   --------   ------------
<S>           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>            <C>       <C>            <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF
  OPERATIONS
  DATA:
Net sales...  $80,163   $88,997   $95,123   $112,527   $135,434     $135,434     $90,415     $ 90,415     $113,061     $113,061
Gross
  margin....   27,874    27,997    32,641     39,487     47,114       47,114      30,831       30,831       41,883       41,883
Operating
  income
  (loss)....   (4,568)  (10,697)       41      1,843       (772)        (772)     (3,257)      (3,257)      (8,686)      (8,686)
Net income
(loss)(3)...   (7,864)  (13,098)   (5,201)    (2,019)    (4,248)       1,126      (5,382)      (1,442)      30,232       32,633
Pro forma
  net income
  (loss) per
 share(3)...                                           $  (0.33)    $   0.09                              $   2.33     $   2.51
Shares used
  in
  computing
  pro forma
  net income
  (loss) per
 share(4)...                                             13,000       13,000                                13,000       13,000
OTHER DATA:
Operating
  income
  (loss)
  before
  infrequent
  or unusual
 items(5)...  $(4,568)  $(9,555)  $    41   $  3,706   $  6,143     $  6,143     $ 1,505     $  1,505     $  7,471     $  7,471
</TABLE>
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     AS OF DECEMBER 31,                         AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1997(1)
                                      -------------------------------------------------   ---------------------------------------
                                       1992      1993      1994       1995       1996     ACTUAL    PRO FORMA(2)   AS ADJUSTED(6)
                                      -------   -------   -------   --------   --------   -------   ------------   --------------
<S>                                   <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>            <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital.....................  $25,858   $26,977   $26,452   $ 30,273   $ 27,531   $29,471     $ 46,139        $ 69,042
Total assets........................   69,038    66,307    65,915     80,691     86,848   103,934      108,576         131,479
Long term obligations...............   43,920    57,852    58,775     69,067     71,584    73,289        1,665           1,665
Parent equity (deficit).............    5,424   (10,823)  (14,348)   (16,480)   (21,223)  (18,741)      71,446          94,349
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
   
(1) The Company's fiscal year ends on December 31. The Company's fiscal quarters
    end on the Friday closest to the end of the calendar month. For presentation
    purposes, the financial information reflects the calendar month end date.
    
 
   
(2) The pro forma data gives effect to the: (a) conversion to equity of amounts
    due by the Company to Spectra-Physics AB and affiliates for loans, advances
    and accrued interest; (b) removal of interest expense related to such loans
    and advances; (c) contribution to equity of the Company by Spectra-Physics
    AB and affiliates in October 1997 of certain net assets related to foreign
    holding companies of Spectra-Physics AB and cash to settle certain net
    liabilities of the holding companies; (d) cancellation of certain employee
    stock options for cash and equity and the contribution to equity by
    Spectra-Physics AB and affiliates of the cash used for such cancellation;
    and (e) related impact of income taxes.
    
 
(3) Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 includes $17,010,000
    of net proceeds from a legal settlement and $23,272,000 from the recognition
    of income tax benefits.
 
(4) See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for an
    explanation of shares used in computing pro forma net income (loss) per
    share
 
(5) Other data is presented as supplemental information and should not be
    construed as a substitute, or better, indicator of, results of operations
    than operating income (loss) or net income (loss) determined in accordance
    with generally accepted accounting principles. This data represents
    historical operating income (loss) adjusted for the following: (a)
    restructuring expenses of $1,142,000 in 1993; (b) legal expenses associated
    with a lawsuit which was settled in the second quarter of 1997 of $863,000
    in 1995 and $1,915,000 in 1996 and $1,012,000 and $1,657,000 in the nine
    months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively; and (c) compensation
    expense associated with stock options of $1,000,000 in 1995 and $5,000,000
    in 1996 and $3,750,000 and $14,500,000 in the nine months ended September
    30, 1996 and 1997, respectively. As a result of the legal settlement, the
    Company received net proceeds of $17,010,000 that was included in other
    income in the nine months ended September 30, 1997. In October 1997, the
    stock options were canceled for a combination of cash and the Company's
    future obligation to issue capital stock of the Company upon completion of
    the offering. As a result of the agreement to cancel the stock options for a
    combination of cash and capital stock of the Company, the Company reversed
    approximately $1.4 million of excess accrued expenses in the fourth quarter
    of 1997. While such legal and compensation expenses are not expected to be
    incurred in the future, there can be no assurance that similar items might
    not occur. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
    and Results of Operations."
 
(6) Adjusted to give effect to the pro forma adjustments described in Note 2
    above and the sale of 2,400,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby (at an
    assumed initial public offering price of $11.00 per share) and the
    application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom after deducting
    underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by the
    Company.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     This Prospectus contains forward looking statements which involve a number
of risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those
discussed in the forward looking statements. Factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially include, without limitation, the risk factors
discussed below as well as the risks discussed in "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Business" and
elsewhere in this Prospectus. In addition to the other information contained in
this Prospectus, the following Risk Factors should be considered carefully in
evaluating the Company and its business before purchasing the Common Stock
offered hereby.
 
FLUCTUATIONS IN QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS
 
     The Company's operating results have fluctuated significantly in the past
and are expected to fluctuate in the future on a quarterly and annual basis as a
result of a number of factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control.
Results in any period could be affected by changes in market demand, competitive
market conditions, market acceptance of new or existing products, fluctuations
in foreign exchange rates, the cost and availability of components, the
Company's ability to manufacture and ship products, the mix of the Company's
customer base and sales channels, the mix of products sold, the Company's
ability to expand its sales and marketing organization effectively, the
Company's ability to attract and retain key technical and managerial employees
and general economic conditions. Due to the foregoing factors, the Company's
operating results in one or more future periods are expected to be subject to
significant fluctuations. In the event such fluctuations result in the Company's
financial performance being below the expectations of public market analysts and
investors, the price of the Company's Common Stock would likely decline, perhaps
substantially.
 
     Sales to individual customers are often related to a customer's specific
requirements, the timing of which is subject to change. From time to time, the
Company has experienced accelerations and slowdowns in shipments to customers,
causing changes in the sales level of a given quarter relative to both the
preceding and subsequent quarters. A significant portion of the Company's sales
are to customers in the research and development market. Sales into this market
have historically varied from quarter-to-quarter due to seasonal fluctuations
and governmental spending patterns. In addition, announcements by the Company or
its competitors of new products or technologies could cause customers to defer
purchases of the Company's existing products. In the event that anticipated
orders from customers fail to materialize, or delivery schedules are deferred or
canceled as a result of the above factors or other unanticipated factors, the
Company's business, operating results and financial condition would be
materially adversely affected. As a result, the Company believes that
period-to-period comparisons of its operating results are not necessarily
meaningful and should not be relied upon as indicative of future performance.
 
     The Company has experienced a trend in its sales whereby its fiscal fourth
quarter net sales represent a disproportionate share of the Company's annual net
sales and whereby the Company's first quarter net sales decline significantly
compared to the fourth quarter of the prior fiscal year. The Company believes
these sales patterns result in part because of Spectra-Physics AB's emphasis on
annual (as opposed to quarterly) results and in part from the Company's
incentive compensation plan which compensates employees based on annual results.
The Company recognizes that the non-linear pattern of its shipments leads to
inefficiencies in asset and employee utilization. The Company is taking steps to
mitigate this sales trend, but this pattern is likely to continue in the near
term.
 
     Despite the fluctuations in its quarterly sales patterns, the Company's
operating expenses are incurred on an approximately ratable basis. As a result,
if expected sales are deferred for any reason, the Company's business, operating
results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
 
     The Company's gross margin is affected by a number of factors, including
product mix, product pricing, cost of components, the proportion of third party
products incorporated into the Company's systems, foreign exchange rates and
manufacturing costs. For example, since semiconductor-based lasers and laser
systems generally have higher gross margins than conventional lasers, absent
other factors, a shift in sales toward semiconductor-based lasers and systems
would lead to a gross margin improvement for the Company. On the
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
other hand, if market conditions in the highly competitive conventional laser
market forced the Company to lower unit prices, the Company would suffer a
decline in gross margin unless the Company were able to timely offset the price
reduction by a reduction in production costs or by sales of other products with
higher gross margins. Either of these events could have a material effect on the
Company's business, operating results and financial condition.
 
     The Company's backlog on a given date consists of written purchase orders
for products which are scheduled to be shipped within the following twelve
months. Orders in backlog are firm, but are generally subject to cancellation or
rescheduling without penalty. Decisions by customers to reduce inventory levels
could lead to reductions in purchases from the Company and could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial
condition.
 
CONTROL BY PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDER
 
     Prior to this offering, Spectra-Physics AB, through wholly-owned
subsidiaries, was the sole stockholder of the Company. Upon completion of the
offering, Spectra-Physics AB will beneficially own approximately 82.4% of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company (approximately 80.6% if the
Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full). As a result,
Spectra-Physics AB will be able to control the outcome of matters requiring
stockholder approval, including the election of directors, and will have the
ability to control the business and affairs of the Company. So long as
Spectra-Physics AB continues to beneficially own a significant amount of the
Company's outstanding Common Stock, only a limited percentage of the Common
Stock will be traded in the public market.
 
     In connection with the Reorganization, the Company has entered into or
expects to enter into certain agreements with Spectra-Physics AB or its
affiliates relating to certain aspects of the ongoing relationships between
them, such as tax sharing, administrative support service, office space rental
and trademark and patent license arrangements. Accordingly, the Company will
depend in part on its continuing relationship with Spectra-Physics AB. See
"Principal Stockholder" and "Certain Relationships and
Transactions -- Relationship with Spectra-Physics AB."
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SOLE SUPPLIERS AND LIMITED SOURCES
 
     A number of components necessary for the manufacture and operation of many
of the Company's products such as crystals, ceramic components and Q switches
are obtained from sole suppliers or a limited group of suppliers. The Company
has experienced shortages of such supplies in the past. The Company does not
maintain any long-term supply agreements with any of its suppliers. The
Company's reliance on sole or a limited group of suppliers involves several
risks, including a potential inability to obtain an adequate supply of required
components and reduced control over pricing. The disruption or termination of
any of these sources could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, operating results and financial condition. Any inability to obtain
adequate deliveries or any other circumstance that would require the Company to
seek alternative sources of supply or to manufacture such components internally
could significantly delay the Company's ability to ship its products, which
could damage relationships with current and prospective customers and could have
a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition.
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
 
     The success of the Company depends to a significant degree on the efforts
of the Company's senior management team. The Company's operations may be
adversely affected if one or more members of senior management were to leave the
Company. The Company is also dependent upon its ability to attract and retain
qualified employees, particularly highly skilled design, process and test
engineers involved in the manufacture of existing products and the development
of new products and processes. The competition for such personnel is intense,
and the loss of key employees or the failure to attract qualified new employees
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating
results and financial condition. See "Business -- Technology" and "Management."
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
MANUFACTURING RISKS
 
     The manufacture of certain of the laser and optic components, products and
systems sold by the Company is a highly complex and precise process. As a result
of the technical complexity of the Company's products, changes in the Company's
or its suppliers' manufacturing processes, or the inadvertent use of defective
or contaminated materials by the Company or its suppliers, could result in a
material adverse effect on the Company's ability to achieve acceptable
manufacturing yields and product reliability. To the extent the Company does not
achieve such yields or product reliability, its business, operating results,
financial condition and customer relationships would be adversely affected. See
"Business -- Manufacturing Operations."
 
     The Company relies exclusively on its own production capability to
manufacture certain strategic components, optics and optical systems,
semiconductor lasers, lasers and laser-based systems. Because the Company
manufactures, packages and tests these components, products and systems at its
own facilities, and such components, products and systems are not readily
available from other sources, any interruption in manufacturing resulting from
shortages of parts or equipment, fire, earthquake, natural disaster, equipment
failures or otherwise would have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, operating results and financial condition. See
"Business -- Manufacturing Operations."
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY MARKETS AND SUCCESSFUL IDENTIFICATION OF NEW MARKETS
 
     The Company's current products serve many applications in the commercial
printing, materials processing, medical, research and development, optical data
storage and semiconductor manufacturing, inspection and repair markets. No
assurances can be given that these markets will continue to generate significant
or consistent demand for the Company's products. Existing markets could be
significantly diminished by new technologies or products that replace or render
obsolete the Company's technologies and products. The Company is dependent on
successfully identifying new markets for its products. There can be no assurance
that the Company will be able to successfully identify new high-growth markets
in the future. Moreover, there can be no assurance that new markets will develop
for the Company's or its customers' products, or that the Company's technology
or pricing will enable such markets to develop. See "Business -- Products."
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY CUSTOMERS
 
     The Company's customers are generally not contractually obligated to
purchase any specified quantity of products in any particular period, and
product sales to major customers have varied widely from quarter to quarter and
year to year. There can be no assurance that the Company's current customers
will continue to place orders with the Company, that orders by existing
customers will continue at the levels of previous periods or that the Company
will be able to obtain orders from new customers. Loss of, or a material
reduction in orders by, one or more of the Company's major customers would have
a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition. Even if relationships with existing major customers
continue, such customers' requirements for the Company's products will depend on
the success of their product development, marketing, sales and other business
efforts. The Company's or its customer's products could be replaced or made
obsolete by other technologies or products, potentially leading to an adverse
impact on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition. See
"Business -- Products."
 
RISKS OF MANAGING FUTURE GROWTH
 
     Any significant growth in the Company's sales or any significant expansion
in the scope of its operations would likely strain the Company's management,
financial, manufacturing and other resources and may require the Company to
implement and improve a variety of operating, financial and other systems,
procedures and controls. While the Company plans significant expansion of its
manufacturing, sales, accounting and other information systems to meet these
challenges, there can be no assurance that these efforts will succeed, or that
any existing or new systems, procedures or controls will be adequate to support
the Company's operations or that its systems, procedures and controls will be
designed, implemented or improved in a cost effective and
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
timely manner. Any failure to implement, improve and expand such systems,
procedures and controls in a timely and efficient manner could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial
condition. See "Business -- Manufacturing Operations" and
"Business -- Facilities."
 
RAPID AND FUNDAMENTAL TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE
 
     The laser and optics industry is characterized by extensive research and
development expenditures and rapid technological change. The development by
current or future competitors of new or improved products, processes or
technologies may make the Company's current or proposed products obsolete or
less competitive. Although the Company devotes significant resources to further
develop and enhance its existing products, including its semiconductor-based
lasers, there can be no assurance that new or alternative technologies will not
make the Company's products obsolete or less competitive. The Company's future
business, operating results and financial condition will depend on its ability
to enhance its existing products, develop new products that address the
particular needs of its customers and respond to technological advances and
emerging industry standards and practices. See "-- Dependence on Key Markets and
Successful Identification of New Markets."
 
COMPETITION
 
     The Company's various markets are highly competitive. The Company's overall
competitive position depends on a number of factors including the price, quality
and performance of its products, the level of customer service, the development
of new technology and the Company's ability to participate in emerging markets.
The Company faces competition from three primary sources: current direct
competitors, potential competitors and suppliers of new technologies. The
Company offers a range of components, subsystems, products and systems and has a
number of competitors worldwide in various segments of its markets. In its HPSL
markets, direct competitors include SDL, Inc., Siemens and Thompson-CSF. In its
SLPSS laser markets, major competitors include Coherent, Inc. and Lightwave
Electronics Inc. In the laser disk texturing market, the Company's major
competitor is IBM Corporation. In its other product markets, the Company's major
competitors include Coherent Inc., Continuum (a division of Hoya) and Uniphase
Corporation. None of the Company's competitors competes in all of the product
areas and industries currently served by the Company. However, as existing or
new markets continue to grow, the Company expects that new competitors will
emerge and present competitors will seek to increase their market share.
 
     New technologies may emerge to compete with the Company's products. For
example, Polaroid has recently developed a fiber laser working in conjunction
with SDL. This technology, which is also being developed by the Company, will
compete in some markets with SLPSS lasers. In most of the Company's product
lines, both the Company and its competitors are working to develop new
technologies, or improvements and modifications to existing technologies, which
will render present products obsolete. There can be no assurance that the
Company's development efforts will be successful. In addition, there can be no
assurance that markets will develop for any such future products, or that any
such products will be competitive with other technologies or products that may
be developed by others. Some of the Company's competitors have significantly
greater financial, technical, manufacturing, marketing, sales and other
resources than the Company. In addition, some of these competitors may be able
to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies, evolving industry
trends and changes in customer requirements and to devote greater resources to
the development, promotion and sale of their products than the Company. There
can be no assurance that the Company's current or potential competitors will not
develop or acquire products comparable or superior to those developed by the
Company, combine or merge to form larger, more significant competitors, or adapt
more quickly than the Company to new technologies, evolving industry trends and
changing customer requirements. Increased competition has resulted and is
expected, in the future, to result in price reductions, reduced margins or loss
of market share, any of which could materially and adversely affect the
Company's business, operating results and financial condition. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to compete successfully against current
or future competitors or that competitive pressures faced by the Company will
not have a material adverse effect on its business, operating results and
financial condition. The Company expects that both direct and indirect
competition will increase in the future. Additional competition
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
could adversely affect the Company's business, operating results and financial
condition through price reductions or loss of market share. See
"Business -- Competition."
 
DEPENDENCE ON PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY; RISK OF PATENT INFRINGEMENT CLAIMS
 
     The Company's future success and competitive position is dependent upon its
proprietary technology, and the Company relies on patent, trade secret,
trademark and copyright law to protect its intellectual property. There can be
no assurance that the patents owned or licensed by the Company will not be
invalidated, circumvented, challenged or licensed to others, that the rights
granted thereunder will provide competitive advantages to the Company or that
any of the Company's pending or future patent applications will be issued within
the scope of the claims sought by the Company, if at all. Furthermore, there can
be no assurance that others will not develop technologies that are similar or
superior to the Company's technology, duplicate the Company's technology or
design around the patents owned by the Company. In addition, effective
copyright, patent and trade secret protection may be unavailable, limited or not
applied for in certain foreign countries. Certain of the Company's technology is
licensed on a non-exclusive basis from third parties which may license such
technology to others, including competitors of the Company. There can be no
assurance that the steps taken by the Company to protect its technology will
prevent misappropriation of such technology.
 
     The laser and optics industry is characterized by frequent litigation
regarding patent and other intellectual property rights. Litigation has been
necessary and may be necessary in the future to enforce the Company's patents
and other intellectual property rights, to protect the Company's trade secrets,
to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others or to
defend against claims of infringement or invalidity. Such litigation has in the
past resulted in substantial costs and diversion of resources and any future
actions could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
operating results and financial condition. In particular, the Company has been
involved in litigation with two of its principal competitors, SDL and Uniphase
Corporation. The SDL litigation, which was settled in 1997, was initiated by the
Company in 1995 to enforce its rights under a technology agreement with SDL. The
Uniphase litigation was initiated by the Company in 1991 to enforce the
Company's rights under one of its patents. The Uniphase litigation was settled
in 1994.
 
     From time to time the Company has received and expects in the future to
receive notices of claims of infringement of other parties' proprietary rights.
There can be no assurance that infringement claims (or claims for
indemnification resulting from infringement claims) will not be asserted against
the Company or will not result in an injunction against the sale of allegedly
infringing products or otherwise materially adversely affect the Company's
business, operating results and financial condition. See "Business --
Technology."
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL SALES
 
     International sales accounted for approximately 60%, 60%, 52% and 44%, of
the Company's net sales in 1994, 1995 and 1996, and the first nine months of
1997, respectively. International sales carry a number of inherent risks,
including exposure to currency fluctuations, potentially adverse tax
consequences, reduced protection for intellectual property rights in some
countries, the impact of recessionary environments in economies outside the
United States, generally longer receivable collection periods, changes in
political and regulatory environments, tariffs and other potential trade
barriers. In addition, certain of the Company's international sales are subject
to export licensing and approvals by U.S. governmental agencies. Although to
date the Company has experienced no significant difficulty in obtaining such
licenses or approvals, the failure to obtain such licenses or approvals or
comply with such regulations in the future could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition. See
"Business -- Sales and Marketing" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS
 
     The Company's facilities and operations are subject to a wide variety of
foreign, federal, state and local environmental laws, regulations and
ordinances, including those related to air emissions, wastewater discharges and
chemical and hazardous waste management and disposal ("Environmental Laws"). The
Company's operations also are governed by laws relating to workplace safety and
worker health, primarily the Occupational Safety and Health Act ("Employee
Safety Laws"). Further, compliance with Environmental Laws also may require the
acquisition of permits or other authorizations for certain activities and
compliance with various standards or procedural requirements. Although the
Company believes that its operations are in compliance in all material respects
with current requirements under Environmental Laws and Employee Safety Laws, the
nature of the Company's operations exposes it to the risk of liabilities or
claims with respect to such matters.
 
     Certain of these Environmental Laws, including the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended by the
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 ("CERCLA") and similar
state laws (collectively, "Superfund Laws"), hold owners or operators of land or
businesses liable for their own and for previous owners' or operators' releases
of hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes, pollutants or
contaminants, including petroleum and petroleum products ("Hazardous
Substances"). Such Superfund Laws also provide for responses to and liability
for releases of certain Hazardous Substances into the environment. The nature of
the Company's operations and the long history of industrial uses at some of its
current or former facilities expose the Company to risk of liabilities or claims
under Superfund Laws. The Company has received three notifications from state or
federal environmental regulatory agencies stating that the Company may be
potentially responsible under Superfund Laws for the release of Hazardous
Substances generated by its former operations at three locations. The Company
responded to the inquiries by asserting that it was not responsible for response
activities at any of these sites. Since the Company provided its responses, the
environmental regulatory agencies have not pursued the Company as a potentially
responsible party at two of the sites and the Company received a letter from the
environmental agency stating that it does not consider the Company as a
potentially responsible party at this time at the third site.
 
     Since 1984, the Company's facilities in Mountain View, California
("Mountain View Site") have been undergoing investigation and remediation in
response to past releases of industrial solvents to the soil and groundwater. In
addition, the impacted groundwater has migrated to what is referred to as the
North Bayshore Area. As a result of these past releases, the Mountain View Site
and other neighboring sites are listed on the National Priorities List ("NPL" or
the "Superfund List") under CERCLA. The Company is subject to orders issued by
the California Regional Water Quality Control Board ("Orders") that require the
Company to perform remediation on- and off-site and investigate other
potentially responsible parties. Pursuant to the Orders and other orders issued
to other responsible parties, the Company and other responsible parties are
jointly performing and funding remediation which includes soil treatment and
on-site and off-site groundwater extraction, treatment and monitoring. All of
the required soil and groundwater remediation and monitoring systems currently
required by the Order are in place, and consequently the initial capital
expenses for such systems have been incurred. In October 1997, the Company was
served with a complaint that had been filed in the Superior Court of the State
of California seeking an unspecified amount of damages for personal injuries and
property damage incurred by residents of a single location alleged to have
resulted from the Company's and others' negligent and/or intentional handling of
toxic chemicals (Rosario Balcita et al. v. Teledyne Semiconductor,
Spectra-Physics Lasers, et al.). While the Company believes it has meritorious
defenses to the claims asserted in this lawsuit and intends to vigorously defend
itself in this case, the amount of loss, if any, that may result upon resolution
of this complaint is not currently estimable nor have any amounts been accrued
in the Company's financial statements. Accordingly, there can be no assurance
that the complaint will be resolved without adverse impact to the Company's
financial position or results of operations. There can be no assurances that
other parties will not come forward and claim personal injury or property
damage.
 
     Based on the Company's experience to date, the Company believes that the
future cost of compliance with existing Environmental Laws (or liability for
known environmental liabilities or claims) and Employee Safety Laws should not
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
financial condition. However, future events, such as changes in existing laws
and regulations or their interpretation, or the discovery of heretofore unknown
contamination, may give rise to additional compliance costs or liabilities that
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating
results and financial condition. Compliance with more stringent laws or
regulations, as well as more vigorous enforcement policies of regulatory
agencies or stricter or different interpretations of existing laws, may require
additional expenditures by the Company that may be material. See
"Business -- Environmental Matters."
 
POTENTIAL SALES OF STOCK BY SPECTRA-PHYSICS USA; SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
   
     Future sales by Spectra-Physics USA of the Company's Common Stock could
adversely affect the prevailing market price of the Common Stock. The Company
and Spectra-Physics USA have agreed not to offer, sell or otherwise dispose of
any shares of Common Stock except with respect to the Company's existing
employee benefit plans, without the prior written consent of NationsBanc
Montgomery Securities, Inc., for a period of 180 days after the date of this
Prospectus (the "Lockup Period"). Following the Lockup Period, Spectra-Physics
USA will be permitted to sell in the public market specified amounts of Common
Stock without registration pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). In addition, on December 8, 1997, the
Company entered into a registration rights agreement with Spectra-Physics USA
that obligates the Company to register under the Securities Act the shares of
Common Stock owned by Spectra-Physics USA upon its demand. See "Principal
Stockholder," "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" and "Certain Relationships and
Transactions."
    
 
     The Company is expected to reserve 2,252,993 shares of Common Stock
(assuming the Underwriters' overallotment option is not exercised) for issuance
upon the exercise of options under the 1997 Plan. At the time of the offering,
the Company intends to grant under the 1997 Plan options to purchase 2,158,645
shares of Common Stock. Following the offering, the Company intends to register
the shares of Common Stock issued or reserved for issuance pursuant to the 1997
Plan under the Securities Act pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-8.
See "Management -- 1997 Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc. Stock Option Plan" and
"Shares Eligible for Future Sale." Upon completion of the offering, the Company
intends to issue 370,948 shares of Common Stock (assuming an initial public
offering price of $11.00 per share) to certain employees pursuant to the
Restricted Stock Agreements as partial consideration for the cancellation of
certain Opto Power stock options. These shares will be subject to certain
contractual restrictions on transfer. The Company intends to register these
shares for resale pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-8. See
"Management -- Restricted Stock Plan."
 
     No predictions can be made as to the effect, if any, that sales in the
public market of shares or the availability of additional shares for future sale
will have on the market price of the Common Stock. The market price of the
Common Stock could be adversely affected by future sales of Common Stock or the
perception that such sales may occur.
 
CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER MATTERS; POSSIBLE ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED STOCK
 
     Certain provisions of Delaware law, the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation and the Company's Bylaws could delay or make more difficult a
merger, tender offer or proxy contest involving the Company. The Company is
subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL") which,
subject to certain exceptions, prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in
any of a broad range of business combinations with any "interested stockholder"
for a period of three years following the date that such stockholder became an
interested stockholder. Under the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws, the directors may enlarge the size of the Board and fill any vacancies
on the Board. The Company's Bylaws provide that nominations for directors may
not be made by stockholders at any annual meeting unless the stockholder
intending to make a nomination notifies the Company of its intention a specified
period in advance and furnishes certain information, and require advance notice
of business to be brought by a stockholder before the annual meeting. The shares
of the Company's Preferred Stock may be issued in the future without further
stockholder approval and upon such terms and conditions, and having such rights,
privileges and preferences, as the Board of Directors may determine. The rights
of holders of Common Stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by,
the rights of any holders of Preferred Stock that may be issued in the future.
The issuance of Preferred Stock and the application of Section 203 of the DGCL
and certain other
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
provisions of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws could have
the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change of control of the
Company. See "Description of Capital Stock -- Preferred Stock," "Description of
Capital Stock -- Delaware Anti-Takeover Law" and "Description of Capital
Stock -- Anti-Takeover Matters."
 
ABSENCE OF PRIOR PUBLIC MARKET; VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE
 
   
     Prior to the offering, there has been no public trading market for the
Common Stock. Although the Common Stock has been approved for quotation on the
Nasdaq National Market, there can be no assurance that a regular trading market
for the Common Stock will develop upon completion of the offering or that, if
developed, it will be sustained. The initial public offering price of the Common
Stock has been determined by negotiations between the Company and
representatives of the Underwriters and may not be indicative of the price at
which the Common Stock will trade after completion of the offering.
Consequently, there can be no assurance that the market price for the Common
Stock will not fall below the initial public offering price. In addition, there
has been significant volatility in the market price of technology companies that
often has been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies.
Technology companies may also be affected by such factors as quarterly
fluctuations in a company's business, operating results and financial condition,
the introduction of new products by a company or its competitors or business
conditions in the markets in which a company operates. These fluctuations may
adversely affect the price of and market for the Common Stock. See
"Underwriting."
    
 
NO ANTICIPATED DIVIDENDS
 
     Following completion of the offering, the Company intends to retain its
earnings, if any, for use in its operations. The Company does not expect to
declare dividends on its Common Stock in the foreseeable future. See "Dividend
Policy."
 
IMMEDIATE AND SUBSTANTIAL DILUTION
 
     The initial public offering price is substantially higher than the book
value per share of the Common Stock. Investors participating in this offering
will incur immediate and substantial dilution. To the extent outstanding options
to purchase Common Stock are exercised, there will be further dilution. See
"Dilution."
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds to the Company from the offering, after deducting the
underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses, will be approximately
$22.9 million (approximately $26.6 million if the Underwriters' overallotment
option is exercised in full) assuming an initial public offering price of $11.00
per share.
 
     The primary purposes of this offering are to create a public market for the
Company's Common Stock and raise capital for the Company. The Company intends to
use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including
working capital and capital expenditures. A portion of the net proceeds may also
be used for the acquisition of businesses, products and technologies that are
complementary to those of the Company. The Company has no present commitments
with respect to any such material transaction. The Company has not yet
identified the specific amount of proceeds to be expended for the foregoing
purposes. Accordingly, management will have significant discretion in the
application of a substantial portion of the net proceeds from this offering.
Pending application of the net proceeds of the offering, the Company intends to
invest the net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing investment grade
securities.
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
     The payment of dividends, if any, in the future is within the discretion of
the Board of Directors and will depend on the Company's earnings, capital
requirements and financial condition. Following completion of the offering, it
is the intention of the Board of Directors to retain all earnings, if any, for
use in the Company's business operations and, accordingly, the Board of
Directors does not expect to declare any dividends in the foreseeable future.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company at
September 30, 1997 (i) on an actual basis (ii) on a pro forma basis and (iii) on
an as adjusted basis. This table should be read in conjunction with the
Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and the Notes thereto included
elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                                    --------------------------------------------
                                                     ACTUAL      PRO FORMA(1)     AS ADJUSTED(2)
                                                    --------     ------------     --------------
                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS)
    <S>                                             <C>          <C>              <C>
    Loans and advances from Spectra-Physics AB and
      affiliates (including accrued interest).....  $ 73,758       $     --          $     --
    Stockholders' equity:
      Common Stock, $.01 par value per share;
         authorized 60,000,000; shares issued and
         outstanding: Pro forma -- 13,370,948; As
         Adjusted -- 15,770,948(3)................        --             --               158
      Additional paid-in capital..................        --             --            94,191
      Parent equity (deficit)(4)..................   (18,741)        71,446                --
                                                     -------        -------
      Total stockholders' equity..................   (18,741)        71,446            94,349
                                                     -------        -------
         Total capitalization.....................  $ 55,017       $ 71,446          $ 94,349
                                                     =======        =======
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Pro forma to give effect to the (a) conversion to equity of amounts due by
    the Company to Spectra-Physics AB and affiliates for loans, advances, and
    accrued interest; (b) contribution to equity of the Company by
    Spectra-Physics AB and affiliates in October 1997 of certain net assets
    related to foreign holding companies of Spectra-Physics AB and cash to
    settle certain net liabilities of the holding companies; and (c)
    cancellation of certain employee stock options for cash and equity
    (including related shares of common stock) and the contribution to equity by
    Spectra-Physics AB and affiliates of the cash used for such cancellation.
 
(2) Adjusted to give effect to the sale by the Company of the shares of Common
    Stock offered hereby (at an assumed initial public offering price of $11.00
    per share), after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and
    estimated offering expenses.
 
(3) Excludes 2,158,645 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of stock
    options to be granted by the Company at the time of the offering pursuant to
    the 1997 Plan, and includes 370,948 shares of Common Stock (assuming an
    initial public offering price of $11.00 per share) issuable pursuant to the
    Restricted Stock Plan Agreements. See "Management -- 1997 Spectra-Physics
    Lasers, Inc. Stock Option Plan" and "Management -- Restricted Stock Plan."
 
(4) Represents Spectra-Physics AB's investment in the Company on a historical
    basis.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
                                    DILUTION
 
     The pro forma net tangible book value of the Company as of September 30,
1997 was $70.4 million or $5.25 per share of Common Stock. "Pro forma net
tangible book value per share" represents the amount of total tangible assets of
the Company less total liabilities divided by the number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding. After giving effect to the sale of 2,400,000 shares of Common
Stock offered by the Company hereby at the assumed initial public offering price
of $11.00 per share (after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated
offering expenses), the pro forma net tangible book value of the Company as of
September 30, 1997 would have been approximately $93.1 million or $5.90 per
share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $0.65
per share to Spectra-Physics AB and an immediate dilution of $5.10 per share to
new investors. The following table illustrates this per share dilution:
 
<TABLE>
    <S>                                                                   <C>       <C>
    Initial public offering price per share.............................            $11.00
    Pro forma net tangible book value per share before this offering....  $5.25
    Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to new
      investors.........................................................    .65
                                                                          ------
    Pro forma net tangible book value per share after this offering.....              5.90
                                                                                    ------
    Dilution per share to new investors.................................            $ 5.10
                                                                                    ======
</TABLE>
 
     The following table summarizes as of September 30, 1997 the differences
between Spectra-Physics AB and new investors with respect to the number of
shares of Common Stock purchased from the Company, the total consideration paid
and the average price per share paid:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  TOTAL CONSIDERATION
                                          SHARES PURCHASED          (IN THOUSANDS)         AVERAGE
                                       ----------------------     -------------------       PRICE
                                         NUMBER       PERCENT     AMOUNT      PERCENT     PER SHARE
                                       ----------     -------     -------     -------     ---------
    <S>                                <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
    Spectra-Physics AB...............  13,000,000       82.4%     $67,366       68.8%      $  5.18
    New investors....................   2,770,948       17.6       30,480       31.2       $ 11.00
                                          -------        ---      --------       ---
              Total..................  15,770,948      100.0%     $97,846      100.0%
                                          =======        ===      ========       ===
</TABLE>
 
     The foregoing table assumes no exercise of the Underwriters' overallotment
option or of outstanding options to purchase Common Stock. The computation of
the total consideration paid by Spectra-Physics AB gives effect to the
conversion to equity of amounts due by the Company to Spectra-Physics AB and
affiliates for loans, advances and accrued interest in October 1997 and the
capital contribution by Spectra-Physics AB to fund the cash payments to the Opto
Power option holders in cancellation of their options. The shares purchased and
computation of total consideration paid by new investors includes 370,948 shares
of Common Stock at an assumed initial public offering price of $11.00 per share
to be issued pursuant to the Company's Option Cancellation and Restricted Stock
Plan Agreements upon completion of the offering. As of the date of the
Prospectus, the Company expects to grant stock options to purchase an aggregate
of 2,158,645 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price equal to the initial
public offering price. See "Management -- 1997 Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc.
Stock Option Plan."
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The following selected consolidated financial data of the Company is
qualified by reference to and should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements of the Company, including the notes thereto,
and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations included elsewhere herein. The statement of operations data for the
years ended December 31, 1994, 1995, and 1996, and the nine months ended
September 30, 1997, and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 1995 and 1996,
and September 30, 1997, are derived from the consolidated financial statements
that have been audited by Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants, and
are included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The statement of operations data for
the years ended December 31, 1992 and 1993, and the balance sheet data as of
December 31, 1992, 1993 and 1994, are derived from the unaudited consolidated
financial statements not included herein. The unaudited statement of operations
data for the nine months ended September 30, 1996, is derived from the
consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The
unaudited financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the
audited financial statements and, in the opinion of management, contain all
adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a
fair presentation of the Company's operating results for such periods. The
operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 are not
necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any other interim
period or any future fiscal year. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                 SEPTEMBER 30,(1)
                                                     --------------------------------------------------   ------------------
                                                      1992       1993      1994       1995       1996      1996       1997
                                                     -------   --------   -------   --------   --------   -------   --------
                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA
Net sales..........................................  $80,163   $ 88,997   $95,123   $112,527   $135,434   $90,415   $113,061
Cost of products sold..............................   52,289     61,000    62,482     73,040     88,320    59,584     71,178
                                                      ------   --------   -------   --------   --------   -------   --------
  Gross margin.....................................   27,874     27,997    32,641     39,487     47,114    30,831     41,883
Operating expenses:
  Research and development.........................    6,009      9,646     7,788      7,933     12,005     8,571     10,857
  Selling, general and administrative..............   26,433     27,906    24,812     27,848     28,966    20,755     23,555
  Restructuring(2).................................       --      1,142        --         --         --        --         --
  Other(3).........................................       --         --        --      1,863      6,915     4,762     16,157
                                                      ------   --------   -------   --------   --------   -------   --------
    Total operating expenses.......................   32,442     38,694    32,600     37,644     47,886    34,088     50,569
                                                      ------   --------   -------   --------   --------   -------   --------
    Operating income (loss)........................   (4,568)   (10,697)       41      1,843       (772)   (3,257)    (8,686)
Other income (expense):
  Interest expense.................................   (1,822)    (2,782)   (3,492)    (4,590)    (5,374)   (3,940)    (3,930)
  Foreign currency gain (loss).....................     (316)      (579)   (1,439)     1,046      2,532     1,832      2,566
  Legal settlements(5).............................       --      1,714        --         --         --        --     17,010
                                                      ------   --------   -------   --------   --------   -------   --------
    Total other income (expense)...................   (2,138)    (1,647)   (4,931)    (3,544)    (2,842)   (2,108)    15,646
                                                      ------   --------   -------   --------   --------   -------   --------
    Income (loss) before income taxes..............   (6,706)   (12,344)   (4,890)    (1,701)    (3,614)   (5,365)     6,960
Income tax expense (benefit).......................    1,158        754       311        318        634        17    (23,272)
                                                      ------   --------   -------   --------   --------   -------   --------
    Net income (loss)..............................  $(7,864)  $(13,098)  $(5,201)  $ (2,019)  $ (4,248)  $(5,382)  $ 30,232
                                                      ======   ========   =======   ========   ========   =======   ========
    Pro forma net income (loss) per share(4).......                                            $  (0.33)            $   2.33
                                                                                               ========             ========
    Shares used in computing pro forma net income
      (loss) per share.............................                                              13,000               13,000
                                                                                               ========             ========
OTHER DATA:
  Operating income (loss) before infrequent or
    unusual items(6)...............................  $(4,568)  $ (9,555)  $    41   $  3,706   $  6,143   $ 1,505   $  7,471
                                                      ======   ========   =======   ========   ========   =======   ========
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   AS OF DECEMBER 31,
                                                   ---------------------------------------------------   AS OF SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                    1992       1993       1994       1995       1996           1997(1)
                                                   -------   --------   --------   --------   --------   -------------------
                                                                                (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital..................................  $25,858     26,977   $ 26,452   $ 30,273   $ 27,531        $  29,471
Total assets.....................................   69,038     66,307     65,915     80,691     86,848          103,934
Long term obligations............................   43,920     57,852     58,775     69,067     71,584           73,289
Parent equity (deficit)..........................    5,424    (10,823)   (14,348)   (16,480)   (21,223)         (18,741)
</TABLE>
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
- ---------------
(1) The Company's fiscal year ends on December 31. The Company's fiscal quarters
    end on the Friday closest to the end of the calendar month. For presentation
    purposes, the financial information reflects the calendar month end date.
(2) In 1993, the Company recorded $1,142,000 of restructuring expenses
    associated with a reduction in force and costs to exit certain excess
    facilities, including the write-off of related property, plant and
    equipment.
 
(3) Includes $863,000 in 1995 and $1,915,000 in 1996, and $1,012,000 and
    $1,657,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997,
    respectively, of legal expenses associated with a lawsuit which was settled
    as described in Note 5 below; and $1,000,000 in 1995 and $5,000,000 in 1996
    and $3,750,000 and $14,500,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 1996
    and 1997, respectively, of compensation expense associated with stock
    options which were canceled in October 1997 for a combination of cash and
    the Company's future obligation to issue capital stock of the Company upon
    completion of the offering. As a result of the agreement to cancel the stock
    options for a combination of cash and capital stock of the Company, the
    Company reversed approximately $1.4 million of excess accrued expenses in
    the fourth quarter of 1997.
 
(4) See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for an
    explanation of shares used in computing pro forma net income (loss) per
    share.
 
(5) In 1993, the Company received net proceeds of $1,714,000 from its insurance
    company for claims regarding certain environmental matters. See
    "Business -- Environmental Matters." In May 1997, the Company received net
    proceeds of $17,010,000 in settlement of a lawsuit.
 
(6) Other data is presented as supplemental information and should not be
    construed as a substitute, or better, indicator of, results of operations
    than operating income (loss) or net income (loss) determined in accordance
    with generally accepted accounting principles. This data represents actual
    operating income (loss) adjusted for the following: (a) restructuring
    expenses of $1,142,000 in 1993; (b) legal expenses associated with a lawsuit
    of $863,000 in 1995 and $1,915,000 in 1996 and $1,012,000 and $1,657,000 in
    the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively; and (c)
    compensation expense associated with stock options of $1,000,000 in 1995 and
    $5,000,000 in 1996 and $3,750,000 and $14,500,000 in the nine months ended
    September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively. While such items are not expected
    to be incurred in the future, there can be no assurances that similar items
    might not occur. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
    Condition and Results of Operations."
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   20
 
          MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                           AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
OVERVIEW
 
     The Company is a leader in the design, development, manufacture and
distribution of lasers and laser systems for a broad range of markets. Prior to
the Reorganization in October 1997, the Company, Opto Power and Laser Data,
together with various foreign subsidiaries of Spectra-Physics AB that conducted
sales and technical support operations on their behalf, were operated as a
functional group called the Lasers and Optics Group. As a result of the
Reorganization, the assets and liabilities (including contractual rights and
obligations) of the aforementioned entities are now held directly or indirectly
by the Company. The consolidated financial statements presented reflect the
financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as if it
were a separate entity for each period presented. The Company's historical
results have varied significantly from period to period due to the inclusion of
charges related to legal expenses associated with a lawsuit and compensation
expenses associated with certain stock options. These charges are not expected
to be incurred in the future. However, there can be no assurance that similar
items might not occur.
 
     The Company derives its revenue primarily from the sale of
semiconductor-based and conventional lasers and laser systems. Conventional
lasers are generally sold into the research and development market. This market
is typically characterized by the sale of single units and systems with prices
that range from approximately $3,000 to $500,000. Sales in this market have
historically varied from quarter to quarter due to seasonal fluctuations and
governmental spending patterns. Semiconductor-based lasers and laser systems are
sold into the research and development market and the OEM/industrial market. The
OEM/industrial market is characterized by unit sales, with varying prices, in
volumes of as much as several thousand units. Over the last three years, a
growing proportion of the Company's total net sales and most of its sales growth
have been from semiconductor-based lasers. Net sales for products are recognized
upon shipment.
 
     The Company has experienced a trend in its sales whereby its fiscal fourth
quarter net sales represent a disproportionate share of the Company's annual net
sales and whereby the Company's first quarter net sales decline significantly
compared to the fourth quarter of the prior fiscal year. The Company believes
these sales patterns result in part because of Spectra-Physics AB's emphasis on
annual (as opposed to quarterly) results and in part from the Company's
incentive compensation plan which compensates employees based on annual results.
The Company recognizes that the non-linear pattern of its shipments leads to
inefficiencies in asset and employee utilization. The Company is taking steps to
mitigate this sales trend, but this pattern is likely to continue in the near
term.
 
     The Company's gross margin is affected by a number of factors, including
product mix, product pricing, cost of components, the proportion of third party
products incorporated into the Company's systems, foreign currency exchange
rates and manufacturing costs. For example, since semiconductor-based lasers and
laser systems generally have higher gross margins than conventional lasers,
absent other factors, a shift in sales toward semiconductor-based lasers and
systems would lead to a gross margin improvement for the Company. On the other
hand, if market conditions in the highly competitive conventional laser market
forced the Company to lower unit prices, the Company would suffer a decline in
gross margin unless the Company were able to timely offset the price reduction
by a reduction in production costs or by sales of other products with higher
gross margins. Either of these events could have a material effect on the
Company's business, operating results and financial condition.
 
     The Company spends a significant amount of resources on research and
development. In recent years, the Company has focused much of these resources on
semiconductor-based lasers and laser systems. The Company expects to continue to
spend substantial resources in developing products for semiconductor-based
lasers and laser systems while making focused research and development
expenditures to maintain its leadership position in conventional lasers.
 
     A significant proportion of the Company's sales are to international
customers and are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The
Company also has sales and support operations located in certain European
countries and in Japan which operate in local currencies. As a result, while the
Company attempts
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   21
 
to hedge its economic risk of foreign currency fluctuations, the Company is
exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that have had in the
past, and are expected to have in the future, a significant impact on the
Company's results of operations.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the Company's
results of operations as a percentage of net sales:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     NINE MONTHS
                                                            YEARS ENDED                 ENDED
                                                           DECEMBER 31,             SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                     -------------------------     ---------------
                                                     1994      1995      1996      1996      1997
                                                     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net sales..........................................  100.0%    100.0%    100.0%    100.0%    100.0%
Cost of products sold..............................   65.7      64.9      65.2      65.9      63.0
                                                     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
  Gross margin.....................................   34.3      35.1      34.8      34.1      37.0
                                                     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
Operating expenses:
  Research and development.........................    8.2       7.0       8.9       9.5       9.6
  Selling, general and administrative..............   26.1      24.7      21.4      23.0      20.8
  Other............................................     --       1.7       5.1       5.3      14.3
                                                     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
     Total operating expenses......................   34.3      33.4      35.4      37.8      44.7
                                                     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
     Operating income (loss).......................     --       1.7      (0.6)     (3.7)     (7.7)
Other income (expense):
  Interest expense.................................   (3.7)     (4.1)     (4.0)     (4.4)     (3.5)
  Foreign currency gain (loss).....................   (1.5)      0.9       1.9       2.0       2.3
  Legal settlement.................................     --        --        --        --      15.0
                                                     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
     Total other income (expense)..................   (5.2)     (3.2)     (2.1)     (2.4)     13.8
                                                     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
     Income (loss) before income taxes.............   (5.2)     (1.5)     (2.7)     (6.1)      6.1
Income tax expense (benefit).......................    0.3       0.3       0.5       0.1     (20.6)
                                                     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
     Net income (loss).............................   (5.5)%    (1.8)%    (3.2)%    (6.0)%    26.7%
                                                     =====     =====     =====     =====     =====
</TABLE>
 
     NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND 1996
 
  Net sales
 
     Net sales were $113.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 1997
and $90.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 1996, representing an
increase of 25.0%. Net sales in the nine months ended September 30, 1997,
calculated using foreign exchange rates for the nine months ended September 30,
1996, increased 30.5%. The growth in sales was principally due to increased
volumes of semiconductor-based lasers and laser systems as the market
opportunities for these products continued to grow. Net sales were in the
following geographic markets (based on the location of the Company's sales
subsidiary):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                 SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                              --------------------
                                                               1996         1997
                                                              -------     --------
                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
            <S>                                               <C>         <C>
            Europe..........................................  $19,136     $ 20,261
            Japan...........................................   21,849       23,220
            United States and export........................   49,430       69,580
                                                              -------     --------
                                                              $90,415     $113,061
                                                              =======     ========
</TABLE>
 
     For the nine months ended September 30, 1997 compared to the nine months
ended September 30, 1996, net sales at actual currency exchange rates increased:
5.9% for Europe; 6.3% for Japan; and 40.8% for the U.S. Net sales for the nine
months ended September 30, 1997, calculated using foreign exchange rates for the
nine months ended September 30, 1996, increased: 17.5% for Europe; 18.7% for
Japan; and 40.8% for the U.S. The
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   22
 
significant increase in net sales in the U.S. for these periods reflects the
early adoption of semiconductor-based lasers and laser systems in the U.S.
compared to Europe and Japan.
 
  Cost of products sold and gross margin
 
     Cost of products sold includes all manufacturing materials and labor and a
proportionate share of overhead costs, as well as costs of shipping, tooling,
royalties, third party products incorporated in the Company's products and
provisions for excess and obsolete inventories and warranty. Cost of products
sold varies by product mix, product pricing, cost of components, the proportion
of third party products incorporated in systems manufactured by the Company, and
manufacturing costs.
 
     Gross margin was $41.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 1997
and $30.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 1996, representing an
increase of 35.8%. As a percentage of net sales, gross margin was 37.0% and
34.1% in 1997 and 1996, respectively. The principal reasons for the improvement
in gross margin as a percentage of net sales was the increase in sales of
semiconductor-based lasers and laser systems at higher margins than conventional
lasers and higher overall sales which allowed for increased absorption of fixed
factory overhead expenses.
 
  Operating expenses
 
     Operating expenses totaled $50.6 million in the nine months ended September
30, 1997 and $34.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 1996,
representing an increase of 48.3%. As a percentage of net sales, operating
expenses were 44.7% and 37.8% in 1997 and 1996, respectively. Included in other
operating expenses were legal expenses associated with a lawsuit which was
settled in the second quarter of 1997 of $1.7 million in 1997 and $1.0 million
in 1996, and compensation expense associated with stock options held by
employees of a subsidiary of the Company of $14.5 million in 1997 and $3.8
million in 1996. As a result of the lawsuit settlement, the Company received net
proceeds of $17.0 million that was included in other income in the nine months
ended September 30, 1997. In October 1997, the stock options were canceled for a
combination of cash and the Company's future obligation to pay additional cash
or, upon the completion of the offering, issue capital stock of the Company.
Accordingly, the Company will not incur compensation expense relating to these
options in the future. As a result of the agreement to cancel the stock options
for a combination of cash and capital stock of the Company, the Company reversed
approximately $1.4 million of excess accrued expenses in the fourth quarter of
1997. Excluding such legal and compensation expenses, operating expenses
increased 17.3% and were 30.4% of net sales in 1997 and 32.5% of net sales in
1996.
 
     Research and development expenses represent expenses associated with
Company funded research and new product development, and efforts designed to
improve the performance of existing products and manufacturing processes.
Customer funded product development engineering for certain OEM customers and
the U.S. government, which to date has been minimal, is recorded as a reduction
of research and development expenses. Research and development expenses are
charged to operations as incurred.
 
     Research and development expenses totaled $10.9 million in the nine months
ended September 30, 1997 and $8.6 million in the nine months ended September 30,
1996, representing an increase of 26.7%. As a percentage of net sales, research
and development expenses were 9.6% and 9.5% in 1997 and 1996, respectively. The
increased spending was primarily focused on semiconductor-based lasers and laser
systems and laser disk texturing systems.
 
     Selling, general and administrative expenses include the expenses of the
Company's sales and support subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, France, Germany,
the Netherlands and Japan as well as the Company's North American sales and
support organization, and other administrative expenses such as legal,
accounting, corporate offices and an allocation of expenses from Spectra-Physics
AB and affiliates for services provided to the Company.
 
     Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $23.6 million in the
nine months ended September 30, 1997 and $20.8 million in the nine months ended
September 30, 1996, representing an increase of 13.5%. As a percentage of net
sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 20.8% and 23.0% in
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   23
 
1997 and 1996, respectively. The principal reasons for the increase in selling,
general and administrative expenses in dollar terms were increased salaries and
benefits, including performance and incentive bonuses and increased sales and
marketing efforts aimed at the semiconductor-based lasers and laser systems
markets, offset in part by the impact of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar
compared to non-U.S. dollar currencies. Historically, the Company recorded
employee bonuses in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year as it was not deemed
probable that such bonuses would be earned until the fourth quarter. In
September 1997, it was determined that it was probable that bonuses would be
earned; accordingly, the Company accrued the amount of bonus earned to date.
 
  Interest expense
 
     Interest expense totaled $3.9 million in each of the nine months ended
September 30, 1997 and 1996. Interest expense was incurred on loans and advances
from Spectra-Physics AB and affiliates. Interest expense was also imputed on
certain non-interest bearing advances from Spectra-Physics AB and affiliates.
The amount of such imputed interest was $0.6 million in 1997 and $0.8 million in
1996. In connection with the Reorganization, Spectra-Physics AB and affiliates
converted all loans and advances to the Company to equity. Accordingly,
beginning October 1, 1997, the Company will no longer incur interest expense on
such loans and advances.
 
  Foreign currency gain (loss)
 
     All of the Company's manufacturing is performed in the United States.
However, the Company has significant sales outside the United States denominated
in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Also, the Company's sales and support
subsidiaries pay local operating expenses in local currencies. As a result, the
Company's operations are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange
rates and these fluctuations have been, and are expected to continue to be,
material.
 
     In 1991, the Company adopted a foreign currency hedging program that was
designed to offset the economic impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations
on budgeted cash flows derived from non-U.S. dollar denominated sales. From 1991
to 1995, the Company hedged a portion of its full year budgeted non-U.S. dollar
sales in January of each year by selling forward contracts against each of the
month's estimated foreign sales in the budget year. Under this program, there
were no outstanding forward contracts as of December 31, 1992, 1993 and 1994.
The counterparty for all forward contracts from 1991 to October 1997 was
Spectra-Physics AB.
 
     In late 1995, the Company changed its hedging program by hedging a portion
of its anticipated non-U.S. dollar denominated cash flows on a twelve-month
rolling basis. Accordingly, at the end of each period, there was approximately
twelve months of foreign exchange contracts open to deliver a specified amount
of foreign currency at a specified rate. As allowed under generally accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP") in Sweden, the Company had deferred the
unrealized gain or loss resulting from the impact of currency exchange rate
movements on open contracts until the underlying transaction was completed.
However, since these contracts were not, as required under U.S. GAAP, designated
as hedges of firm, identifiable foreign currency commitments, the proper U.S.
accounting treatment for these contracts was to recognize unrealized gain or
loss resulting from the impact of currency exchange rate movements on open
contracts in each period reported. Accordingly in the accompanying financial
statements such gains and losses were recorded as other income or expense. Also
included in other income and expense were realized gains and losses on the
settlement of foreign exchange contracts and realized and unrealized gains and
losses on the transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar
for U.S. based operations.
 
     In October 1997, the Company changed the way it hedges its foreign currency
exposures. It closed all of its 1998 outstanding foreign exchange contracts with
Spectra-Physics AB by buying offsetting currency contracts. Settlement costs for
closing these contracts early were approximately $0.3 million. Due to
unfavorable currency exchange rate movements between September 30, 1997 and the
settlement date only $0.8 million of the $1.1 million gain recognized on these
contracts in the nine months ended September 30, 1997 will be realized. Both of
these amounts will be recorded in the fourth quarter of 1997.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   24
 
     In place of the current hedging program, the Company will hedge its foreign
exchange exposure by entering into transactions with independent financial
institutions. The Company will not hold or issue financial instruments for
trading purposes nor will it hold or issue leveraged derivative financial
instruments. The objective of the Company's new foreign exchange risk management
policy is to preserve the U.S. dollar value of its non-U.S. dollar cash flows.
These cash flows arise primarily from the sale of the Company's products in
currencies other than U.S. dollar, most of which are made through the Company's
subsidiaries in Japan and Europe. The Company will use forward exchange
contracts and simple purchased foreign currency option contracts to hedge,
respectively, firm commitments and probable anticipated transactions that expose
the Company to enterprise risk. Gains and losses on forward exchange contracts
that are designated as hedges of a firm order from a customer outside the United
States will be deferred and included in the measurement of the underlying
transaction. Gains on purchased foreign currency options with little or no
intrinsic value designated as hedges of probable anticipated foreign sales
transactions expected to occur within the next three to six months whose
significant characteristics and terms are known will also be deferred and
recognized at the time of the closing of the anticipated transactions.
 
     Foreign currency gains totaled $2.6 million in the nine months ended
September 30, 1997 and $1.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 1996.
 
  Income tax expense (benefit)
 
     Income taxes have been provided in the historical financial statements as
if the Company were a separate taxable entity. From 1992 to June 1997, income
tax expense reflected foreign taxes only due to the expectation by the Company
at that time of continuing losses in the U.S. Deferred tax assets were
established relating to: (i) net operating loss carryforwards, which included
interest expense from Spectra-Physics AB and affiliates; (ii) accrued
compensation associated with employee stock options; (iii) inventory valuation
reserves; and (iv) other accruals. These deferred tax assets were offset in
total by a valuation allowance due to the expectation of continued losses in the
U.S.
 
     During the quarter ended September 30, 1997, the Company decreased the tax
valuation allowance and recognized a tax benefit relating to the above items
(net of foreign taxes) totaling $23.3 million. The decrease of the valuation
allowance and the recognition of the tax benefit in the quarter was based on
management's expectations regarding future taxable income for the Company.
Management's expectations included the consideration of the conversion of loans
and advances from Spectra-Physics AB and affiliates to equity in October 1997
which will eliminate related interest charges in the future.
 
     For income tax return purposes, from 1991 through September 1997, the
Company was part of a U.S. consolidated group pursuant to a tax sharing
agreement among Spectra-Physics AB affiliated companies. Under this tax sharing
agreement, the deferred tax assets relating to the Company's net operating loss
carryovers referred to above have already been used to offset the taxable income
of other members of the tax filing group with no benefit to the Company. Since
the deferred tax assets related to the net operating loss carryforwards have
been used by affiliated companies, and therefore are not available for use by
the Company, the deferred tax asset arising from the loss carryforwards
(amounting to $10.2 million) have been recorded as a dividend to Spectra-Physics
AB. The deferred tax assets relating to accrued compensation associated with
employee stock options, the inventory valuation reserve and other accruals are
recognized as deferred tax assets in the accompanying financial statements.
Effective October 1997, the Company and affiliates of Spectra-Physics AB have
entered into a tax sharing arrangement which generally requires the Company to
determine its U.S. tax liability as a separate consolidated group.
 
     The Company expects its future effective tax rate to approximate statutory
rates.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   25
 
     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
 
  Net sales
 
     Net sales were $135.4 million in 1996, $112.5 million in 1995 and $95.1
million in 1994, representing an increase of 20.4% from 1995 to 1996 and 18.3%
from 1994 to 1995. Net sales for 1996, calculated using foreign currency
exchange rates for 1995, and for 1995, calculated using foreign currency
exchange rates for 1994, increased 25.6% from 1995 to 1996, and 12.8% from 1994
to 1995. The growth in sales in actual terms was principally due to increased
volumes of semiconductor-based lasers and laser systems, particularly the
Millennia, a product introduced in the first quarter of 1996, as the market for
these products expanded due to customers' acceptance of these products. Net
sales were in the following geographic markets (based on the location of the
Company's sales subsidiary):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                  ---------------------------------
                                                   1994         1995         1996
                                                  -------     --------     --------
                                                           (IN THOUSANDS)
            <S>                                   <C>         <C>          <C>
            Europe..............................  $26,044     $ 28,223     $ 30,449
            Japan...............................   23,627       30,479       30,517
            United States and export............   45,452       53,825       74,468
                                                  -------     --------     --------
                                                  $95,123     $112,527     $135,434
                                                  =======     ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
     Net sales at actual currency exchange rates increased: 7.9% from 1995 to
1996 and 8.4% from 1994 to 1995 for Europe; 29.0% from 1994 to 1995 for Japan;
and 38.4% from 1995 to 1996 and 18.4% from 1994 to 1995 for the U.S. Net sales
at actual currency exchange rates in Japan were flat from 1995 to 1996. Net
sales for 1996, calculated using foreign currency exchange rates for 1995, and
for 1995, calculated using foreign currency exchange rates for 1994, increased:
11.8% from 1995 to 1996 for Europe; 15.7% from 1995 to 1996 and 18.8% from 1994
to 1995 for Japan; and 38.4% from 1995 to 1996 and 18.4% from 1994 to 1995 for
the U.S. Net sales for 1995, calculated using foreign currency exchange rates
for 1994, declined 2.4% for Europe. The significant increases in net sales in
the U.S. for these periods reflect the early adoption of semiconductor-based
lasers and laser systems in the U.S. compared to Europe and Japan.
 
  Cost of products sold and gross margin
 
     Gross margin was $47.1 million in 1996, $39.5 million in 1995 and $32.6
million in 1994, representing an increase of 19.3% from 1995 to 1996 and 21.0%
from 1994 to 1995. As a percentage of net sales, gross margin was 34.8%, 35.1%
and 34.3% in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The slight decline in gross
margin as a percentage of net sales in 1996 compared to 1995 was due principally
to a higher proportion in 1996 of sales of third party products which are
incorporated in the Company's systems and on which the Company typically earns
lower margins. Also, there was a negative effect on gross margins from the
strengthening of the U.S. dollar compared to non-U.S. dollar currencies,
particularly the Japanese Yen. The principal reason for the improvement in gross
margin as a percentage of net sales in 1995 compared to 1994 was the increase in
sales that allowed the absorption of fixed manufacturing overhead expenses over
a larger unit base. Further, the Company realized an overall benefit on its
gross margin from the weakening of the U.S. dollar compared to non-U.S. dollar
currencies. This benefit was realized as the Company's product costs are
generally U.S. dollar denominated.
 
  Operating expenses
 
     Operating expenses totaled $47.9 million in 1996, $37.6 million in 1995 and
$32.6 million in 1994, representing an increase of 27.2% from 1995 to 1996 and
15.5% from 1994 to 1995. As a percentage of net sales, operating expenses were
35.4%, 33.4%, and 34.3% in 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. Included in other
operating expenses were legal expenses associated with a lawsuit which was
settled in the second quarter of 1997 of $1.9 million in 1996 and $0.9 million
in 1995, and compensation expense associated with stock options held by
employees of a subsidiary of the Company of $5.0 million in 1996 and $1.0
million in 1995. In October 1997, the stock options were canceled for a
combination of cash and the Company's future obligation to pay additional cash
or, upon the completion of the offering, issue capital stock of the Company.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   26
 
Excluding such legal and compensation expenses, operating expenses increased
14.5% from 1995 to 1996 and 9.8% from 1994 to 1995 and were 30.3% and 31.7% of
net sales in 1996 and 1995, respectively.
 
     Research and development expenses totaled $12.0 million in 1996, $7.9
million in 1995 and $7.8 million in 1994, representing an increase of 51.3% from
1995 to 1996 and 1.9% from 1994 to 1995. As a percentage of net sales, research
and development expenses were 8.9%, 7.0% and 8.2% in 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively. The increase in research and development expenses in 1996 compared
to 1995 was principally focused on semiconductor-based lasers and laser systems
and laser disk texturing systems.
 
     Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $29.0 million in 1996,
$27.8 million in 1995 and $24.8 million in 1994, representing an increase of
4.0% from 1995 to 1996 and 12.2% from 1994 to 1995. As a percentage of net
sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 21.4%, 24.7%, and 26.1%
in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The principal reasons for the increase in
selling, general and administrative expenses in dollar terms in 1996 compared to
1995 were increased salaries and benefits and increased sales and marketing
efforts associated with the Company's laser disk texturing systems offset, in
part, by the strengthening of the U.S. dollar compared to the Japanese Yen. The
principal reasons for the increase in selling, general and administrative
expenses in dollar terms in 1995 compared to 1994 were (i) increased salaries
and benefits, including performance bonuses, (ii) increased sales and marketing
efforts for the semiconductor-based lasers and laser systems and (iii) the
weakening of the U.S. dollar compared to non-U.S. dollar currencies.
 
  Interest expense
 
     Interest expense totaled $5.4 million in 1996, $4.6 million in 1995 and
$3.5 million in 1994, representing an increase of 17.1% from 1995 to 1996 and
31.4% from 1994 to 1995. Interest expense was incurred on loans and advances
from Spectra-Physics AB and affiliates. Interest expense was also imputed on the
certain non-interest bearing advances from Spectra-Physics AB and affiliates.
The amount of such imputed interest was $1.0 million in 1996, $1.1 million in
1995 and $0.7 million in 1994. In connection with the Reorganization,
Spectra-Physics AB and affiliates converted all loans and advances to the
Company to equity. Accordingly, beginning October 1, 1997, the Company will no
longer incur interest expense on such loans and advances.
 
  Foreign currency gain (loss)
 
     Foreign currency gain (loss) were net gains of $2.5 million in 1996 and
$1.0 million in 1995 and a net loss of $1.4 million in 1994.
 
  Income tax expense (benefit)
 
     Income tax expense was $0.6 million in 1996 and $0.3 million in each of
1995 and 1994. The income tax expense in each period represented foreign taxes
currently payable at each of the applicable country's statutory rate.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   27
 
QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The tables below set forth quarterly consolidated operating data of the
Company, including such data as a percentage of net sales, for the eleven
quarters ended September 30, 1997. This quarterly information is unaudited, but
in management's opinion reflects all adjustments, consisting only of normal
recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the information for
the periods presented when read in conjunction with the audited financial
statements of the Company and notes thereto. The operating results for any
quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any future periods.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         QUARTER ENDED
                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               1995                                    1996
                               -------------------------------------   -------------------------------------         1997
                                                    SEPT.                                   SEPT.              -----------------
                               MAR. 31   JUNE 30     30      DEC. 31   MAR. 31   JUNE 30     30      DEC. 31   MAR. 31   JUNE 30
                               -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
                                                                        (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                            <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
NET SALES..................... $24,948   $26,565   $24,295   $36,719   $27,283   $30,723   $32,409   $45,019   $35,080   $38,368
Cost of products sold.........  15,967    17,436    15,370    24,267    17,947    19,920    21,717    28,736    22,535    23,750
                               -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
    Gross margin..............   8,981     9,129     8,925    12,452     9,336    10,803    10,692    16,283    12,545    14,618
                               -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
Operating expenses:
  Research and development....   1,934     2,014     1,869     2,116     2,283     3,010     3,278     3,434     3,318     3,524
  Selling, general and
    administrative............   6,505     6,626     6,716     8,001     6,806     7,102     6,847     8,211     7,274     7,514
  Other.......................     308       386       538       631     1,431     1,790     1,541     2,153     6,490     4,833
                               -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
    Total operating
      expenses................   8,747     9,026     9,123    10,748    10,520    11,902    11,666    13,798    17,082    15,871
                               -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
    Operating income (loss)...     234       103      (198)    1,704    (1,184)   (1,099)     (974)    2,485    (4,537)   (1,253)
Other income (expense), net:
  Interest expense............  (1,148)   (1,048)   (1,149)   (1,245)   (1,324)   (1,297)   (1,319)   (1,434)   (1,423)   (1,343)
  Foreign currency gains
    (loss)....................    (633)     (368)      870     1,177     1,094       502       236       700     2,123      (868)
  Legal settlement............      --        --        --        --        --        --        --        --        --    17,010
                               -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
    Total other income
      (expense)...............  (1,781)   (1,416)     (279)      (68)     (230)     (795)   (1,083)     (734)      700    14,799
                               -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
    Income (loss) before
      income taxes............  (1,547)   (1,313)     (477)    1,636    (1,414)   (1,894)   (2,057)    1,751    (3,837)   13,546
Income tax expense
  (benefit)...................      60      (114)     (133)      505       (61)       54        24       617       126        76
                               -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
    Net income (loss)......... $(1,607)  $(1,199)  $  (344)  $ 1,131   $(1,353)  $(1,948)  $(2,081)  $ 1,134   $(3,963)  $13,470
                               =======   =======   =======   =======   =======   =======   =======   =======   =======   =======
OTHER DATA:
Operating income (loss) before
  infrequent or unusual
  items....................... $   542   $   489   $   340   $ 2,335   $   247   $   691   $   567   $ 4,638   $ 1,953   $ 3,580
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                SEPT. 30
                                --------
 
<S>                            <<C>
NET SALES.....................  $ 39,613
Cost of products sold.........    24,893
                                --------
    Gross margin..............    14,720
                                --------
Operating expenses:
  Research and development....     4,015
  Selling, general and
    administrative............     8,767
  Other.......................     4,834
                                --------
    Total operating
      expenses................    17,616
                                --------
    Operating income (loss)...    (2,896)
Other income (expense), net:
  Interest expense............    (1,164)
  Foreign currency gains
    (loss)....................     1,311
  Legal settlement............        --
                                --------
    Total other income
      (expense)...............       147
                                --------
    Income (loss) before
      income taxes............    (2,749)
Income tax expense
  (benefit)...................   (23,474)
                                --------
    Net income (loss).........  $ 20,725
                                ========
OTHER DATA:
Operating income (loss) before
  infrequent or unusual
  items.......................  $  1,938
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          QUARTER ENDED
                               ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                1995                                     1996                          1997
                               --------------------------------------   --------------------------------------   -----------------
                               MAR. 31   JUNE 30   SEPT. 30   DEC. 31   MAR. 31   JUNE 30   SEPT. 30   DEC. 31   MAR. 31   JUNE 30
                               -------   -------   --------   -------   -------   -------   --------   -------   -------   -------
<S>                            <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>
NET SALES.....................  100.0%    100.0%     100.0%    100.0%    100.0%    100.0%     100.0%    100.0%    100.0%    100.0%
Cost of products sold.........   64.0      65.6       63.3      66.1      65.8      64.8       67.0      63.8      64.2      61.9
                                -----     -----      -----     -----     -----     -----      -----     -----     -----     -----
  Gross margin................   36.0      34.4       36.7      33.9      34.2      35.2       33.0      36.2      35.8      38.1
                                -----     -----      -----     -----     -----     -----      -----     -----     -----     -----
Operating expenses:
  Research and development....    7.8       7.6        7.7       5.8       8.4       9.8       10.1       7.6       9.5       9.2
  Selling, general and
    administrative............   26.1      24.9       27.6      21.8      24.9      23.1       21.1      18.2      20.7      19.6
  Other.......................    1.2       1.5        2.2       1.7       5.2       5.8        4.8       4.8      18.5      12.6
                                -----     -----      -----     -----     -----     -----      -----     -----     -----     -----
    Total operating
      expenses................   35.1      34.0       37.5      29.3      38.5      38.7       36.0      30.6      48.7      41.4
                                -----     -----      -----     -----     -----     -----      -----     -----     -----     -----
    Operating income (loss)...    0.9       0.4       (0.8)      4.6      (4.3)     (3.5)      (3.0)      5.6     (12.9)     (3.3)
Other income (expense), net:
  Interest expense............   (4.6)     (3.9)      (4.7)     (3.4)     (4.9)     (4.2)      (4.1)     (3.2)     (4.1)     (3.5)
  Foreign currency gains
    (loss)....................   (2.5)     (1.4)       3.6       3.2       4.0       1.6        0.8       1.6       6.1      (2.3)
  Legal settlement............     --        --         --        --        --        --         --        --        --      44.3
                                -----     -----      -----     -----     -----     -----      -----     -----     -----     -----
    Total other income
      (expense)...............   (7.1)     (5.3)      (1.1)     (0.2)     (0.9)     (2.6)      (3.3)     (1.6)      2.0      38.5
                                -----     -----      -----     -----     -----     -----      -----     -----     -----     -----
    Income (loss) before
      income taxes............   (6.2)     (4.9)      (1.9)      4.5      (5.2)     (6.1)      (6.3)      4.0     (10.9)     35.2
Income tax expense
  (benefit)...................    0.2      (0.4)      (0.5)      1.4      (0.2)      0.2        0.1       1.4       0.3       0.2
                                -----     -----      -----     -----     -----     -----      -----     -----     -----     -----
    Net income (loss).........   (6.4)%    (4.5)%     (1.4)%     3.1%     (5.0)%    (6.3)%     (6.4)%     2.6%    (11.2)%    35.0%
                                =====     =====      =====     =====     =====     =====      =====     =====     =====     =====
OTHER DATA:
Operating income (loss) before
  infrequent or unusual
  items.......................    2.2%      1.8%       1.4%      6.4%      1.0%      2.2%       1.8%     10.3%      5.6%      9.3%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                SEPT. 30
                                --------
<S>                            <<C>
NET SALES.....................    100.0%
Cost of products sold.........     62.8
                                  -----
  Gross margin................     37.2
                                  -----
Operating expenses:
  Research and development....     10.1
  Selling, general and
    administrative............     22.1
  Other.......................     12.2
                                  -----
    Total operating
      expenses................     44.4
                                  -----
    Operating income (loss)...     (7.2)
Other income (expense), net:
  Interest expense............     (2.9)
  Foreign currency gains
    (loss)....................      3.3
  Legal settlement............       --
                                  -----
    Total other income
      (expense)...............      0.4
                                  -----
    Income (loss) before
      income taxes............     (6.8)
Income tax expense
  (benefit)...................    (59.3)
                                  -----
    Net income (loss).........     52.3%
                                  =====
OTHER DATA:
Operating income (loss) before
  infrequent or unusual
  items.......................      4.9%
</TABLE>
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   28
 
     Other data presented in the Quarterly Results of Operations table above are
presented as supplemental information and should not be construed as a
substitute, or better, indicator of, results of operations than operating income
(loss) or net income (loss) determined in accordance with GAAP. This data
represents actual operating income (loss) adjusted for legal expenses associated
with a lawsuit and compensation expense associated with stock options, which
expenses are included in other operating expenses. While such items are not
expected to be incurred in the future, there can be no assurances that similar
items might not occur.
 
     The Company has experienced a trend in its sales whereby its fiscal fourth
quarter net sales represent a disproportionate share of the Company's annual net
sales and whereby the Company's first quarter net sales decline significantly
compared to the fourth quarter of the prior fiscal year. The Company believes
these sales patterns result in part because of Spectra-Physics AB's emphasis on
annual (as opposed to quarterly) results and in part from the Company's
incentive compensation plan which compensated employees based on annual results.
The Company recognizes that the non-linear pattern of its shipments leads to
inefficiencies in asset and employee utilization. The Company is taking steps to
mitigate this sales trend, but this pattern is likely to continue in the near
term.
 
     The Company's operating results have fluctuated significantly in the past
and are expected to fluctuate in the future on a quarterly and annual basis as a
result of a number of factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control.
Results in any period could be affected by changes in market demand, competitive
market conditions, market acceptance of new or existing products, fluctuations
in foreign exchange rates, the cost and availability of components, the
Company's ability to manufacture and ship products, the mix of the Company's
customer base and sales channels, the mix of products sold, the Company's
ability to expand its sales and marketing organization effectively, the
Company's ability to attract and retain key technical and managerial employees
and general economic conditions. Due to the foregoing factors, the Company's
operating results in one or more future periods are expected to be subject to
significant fluctuations. In the event such fluctuations result in the Company's
financial performance being below the expectations of public market analysts and
investors, the price of the Company's Common Stock would likely decline, perhaps
substantially.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     Through the third quarter of 1997, the Company had satisfied its liquidity
requirements through cash provided by Spectra-Physics AB and affiliates in the
form of loans and advances. As of October 1, 1997, all outstanding loans and
advances from Spectra-Physics AB and affiliates were converted to equity. At
September 30, 1997, the Company had working capital of $29.5 million, including
cash of $1.3 million, compared to working capital at December 31, 1996 of $27.5
million, including cash of $2.5 million, and working capital at December 31,
1995 of $30.3 million, including cash of $1.0 million.
 
     Cash provided by operating activities was $30.2 million in the nine months
ended September 30, 1997 and $4.3 million in the year ended December 31, 1996.
Cash used in operating activities was $1.3 million in the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 and $2.6 million and $1.5 million in the years ended December
31, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Substantially all the net cash used in or
provided by operating activities in the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and
1996, and the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, represented the net income
(loss) for the period adjusted for depreciation and amortization, increases in
deferred tax assets and increases in accrued and other liabilities, particularly
compensation for stock options, offset in the nine months ended September 30,
1996 by payments on accounts payable and in the years ended December 31, 1996
and 1995, by increases in accounts receivable. Substantially all the net cash
used in operating activities in the year ended December 31, 1994 represented the
net loss adjusted for depreciation and amortization and non-cash sales recorded
in exchange for equipment.
 
     Cash used in investing activities, mostly purchases of property, plant and
equipment, was $5.8 million and $3.6 million in the nine months ended September
30, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and $5.0 million, $8.1 million and $1.7 million
in the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   29
 
     Cash used in financing activities was $25.7 million in the nine months
ended September 30, 1997. Cash provided by financing activities was $5.5
million, $2.1 million, $11.0 million and $3.1 million in the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 and in the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively. All of the cash provided by or used in financing activities
represented loans and advances or payments on loans and advances from
Spectra-Physics AB and affiliates.
 
     The above activities resulted in a decrease in cash of $1.2 million in the
nine months ended September 30, 1997 and $0.2 million in the year ended December
31, 1994 and an increase in cash of $0.6 million in the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 and $1.5 million and $0.3 million in the years ended December
31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
 
     In October 1997, the Company entered into certain agreements with employees
of its Opto Power subsidiary who hold stock options to purchase common stock of
the subsidiary. Under the agreements, the option holders agreed to terminate the
options in exchange for a combination of an initial cash payment and the
Company's future obligation to pay cash or, upon completion of the offering,
issue capital stock of the Company. Such initial cash payments totalled
approximately $14.7 million and were funded by a capital contribution by
Spectra-Physics AB and affiliates.
 
     In October 1997, the Company obtained a $10.0 million uncommitted,
unsecured credit facility with a bank. Borrowings against this facility are
guaranteed by an affiliate of Spectra-Physics AB. Upon the consummation of this
offering, the guarantee will be removed and the Company expects that the amount
of the facility will be increased to $20.0 million.
 
   
     The Company has reviewed its short- and long-term liquidity needs. The
Company has determined that funding from Spectra-Physics AB will not be
necessary in the future. The Company's liquidity needs for at least the next
eighteen months will be met by the net proceeds from the sale of the Common
Stock offered hereby together with cash flows from operations, existing cash
balances and borrowings available under its credit facility.
    
 
IMPACT OF RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
     In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 128, "Earnings per
Share," and in March 1997 issued SFAS No. 129, "Disclosures of Information About
Capital Structure," both of which are required to be adopted by the Company in
the year ended December 31, 1998. These statements specify the computation,
presentation and disclosure requirements for earnings per share and the capital
structure of a company.
 
     In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive
Income" and SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information." SFAS No. 130 establishes the requirements for disclosure
of comprehensive income. Comprehensive income generally represents all changes
in stockholders' equity except those resulting from investments or contributions
from stockholders. SFAS No. 130 is effective for the Company in 1998. SFAS No.
131 requires publicly-held companies to report financial and other information
about key sales-producing segments of the entity for which such information is
available and utilized by the chief operating decision maker. Specific
information to be reported for individual segments includes profit and loss,
certain sales and expense items and total assets. A reconciliation of segment
financial information to amounts reported in the financial statements would be
provided. SFAS No. 131 is effective for the Company in 1998.
 
     The Company has determined that the impact of adopting each of the recently
issued accounting standards will not be material to its financial position or
results of operations.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   30
 
                                    BUSINESS
 
     The Company is a leader in the design, development, manufacture and
distribution of lasers and laser systems for a broad range of markets. The
Company has been a pioneer in the laser industry and has developed a proprietary
and patented portfolio of laser, optic and related manufacturing technologies.
The Company offers two broad product lines: high power semiconductor-based
lasers and laser-based systems and conventional lasers and laser-related
products. The Company's high power semiconductor-based products range from
semiconductor lasers, the basic engine, through semiconductor laser pumped
lasers to end user systems. Through technological innovation, the Company is
leading the transition to high power semiconductor-based lasers from
conventional lasers such as gas, liquid and lamp pumped lasers. The Company has
been at the forefront of high power semiconductor-based laser technology for the
last 14 years and is leveraging its technical strengths to develop high power
semiconductor-based lasers, which are more efficient, reliable, cost-effective
and compact than existing lasers. These lasers are enabling many new
applications and replacing conventional lasers in existing applications in
industrial, OEM and research and development markets. According to Strategies
Unlimited, a market research firm, the use of high power semiconductor-based
lasers is expected to increase approximately 30% to 40% annually over the next
several years.
 
     The Company is also a leading supplier of conventional lasers and
laser-related products to industrial and research and development customers.
These lasers, while based upon older technology, have unique performance
characteristics that make them the only current solution for certain demanding
technical applications. According to Laser Focus World, the market for
conventional lasers is expected to grow from $1.1 billion in 1996 to $1.3
billion in 1997. The Company's conventional products include ultrafast systems,
amplifier systems, optical parametric oscillators, air and water cooled ion
lasers, high energy flash lamp pumped YAG lasers, optics and optical systems.
The Company's strong market position and technology leadership in these
conventional laser applications enhances its opportunity to expand its high
growth semiconductor-based laser business by generating funds, capitalizing on
strong customer relationships and leveraging its technological expertise.
 
     The Company works closely with its customers to develop its products and is
focused on providing innovative solutions to customer needs. To control critical
aspects of product quality, significantly improve time-to-market, reduce costs
and identify new applications, the Company has vertically integrated into
strategic technologies. The Company sells its products to a wide range of
customers for use in a variety of applications such as commercial printing,
materials processing, medical, research and development, optical data storage
and semiconductor manufacturing, inspection and repair. The Company's customers
include 3D Systems, Becton Dickinson, DaiNippon Screen, Electro-Scientific
Industries, Haemonetics, IBM, KLA/Tencor, Komag, Presstek, Rofin-Sinar, Seagate
and Western Digital.
 
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
 
     A laser uses energy from a power source to stimulate a particular type of
material, which creates and emits photons (i.e., light). The light emitted by
lasers is more intense and has higher purity than the light emitted by
conventional light sources. These characteristics enable applications in several
broad markets such as telecommunications, medical and semiconductor
manufacturing. The principal factors that distinguish different types of lasers
and determine the particular laser suitable for a specific application are
wavelength (color) output power, repetition rate, cost and operating life.
 
   
     During the early years of laser development in the 1960s and 1970s, lasers
were relatively expensive and large, and had low reliability and performance
characteristics. Consequently, lasers were used primarily for scientific
research and limited industrial applications where there were few alternatives
to lasers. Since then, improvements in laser technology have resulted in lower
cost, smaller, more reliable and more efficient lasers. As a result, the use of
lasers for industrial and other commercial applications has increased
significantly. Today, lasers are used in a wide range of applications and
various markets including biotechnology, consumer electronics, industrial
process control, materials processing, measurement, medical, printing, research
and development, semiconductor manufacturing and telecommunications. According
to Laser Focus World, the worldwide market for lasers grew from approximately
$1.0 billion in 1993 to an estimated $3.3 billion in 1997, which represents a
compound annual growth rate of 35%.
    
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   31
 
     Lasers can be generally classified into four basic types: gas, liquid, lamp
pumped and semiconductor-based. A significant portion of the installed base of
lasers is comprised of gas, liquid and lamp pumped lasers. The principal markets
for these conventional lasers have been materials processing, medical and
scientific applications. According to Laser Focus World, the market for
conventional lasers was approximately $1.1 billion in 1996, and is expected to
increase to approximately $1.3 billion in 1997. Despite continuous advances in
technology, significant shortcomings still exist with most conventional lasers.
Most gas lasers are large, expensive, inefficient and fragile, many liquid
lasers use carcinogenic dyes and have limited performance ranges, and lamp
pumped lasers are limited by their dependence on inefficient and unreliable
incandescent lamps. These lasers, while based upon older technology, have unique
performance characteristics that make them the only current solution for certain
demanding technical applications.
 
     Semiconductor-based lasers are a relatively new and innovative technology.
A semiconductor-based laser creates light from the flow of an electric current
through a specially designed semiconductor device. Semiconductor-based lasers
include both high and low powered devices as well as semiconductor laser pumped
solid state lasers.
 
     The laser industry has been characterized by a high degree of technological
innovation. Today, the laser industry is undergoing a fundamental technology
transition to semiconductor-based lasers from conventional lasers. This
transition is being driven by a number of advantages of semiconductor-based
lasers including:
 
     - Lower Operating Cost. The annual costs for power and water to operate a
       10 W SLPSS laser is less than 5% of the cost to operate a gas laser. For
       example, the annual cost in California for power and water to operate a
       10 W SLPSS laser for 2,000 hours is $300, compared to more than $17,000
       for a 10 W gas laser.
 
     - Smaller Size. Semiconductor-based lasers are much smaller than
       conventional lasers of comparable power. For example, a 10 W
       semiconductor-based laser is one-tenth the size of a 10 W gas laser, and
       semiconductor laser diodes can be as small as a grain of salt.
 
     - Higher Reliability. Semiconductor pumped solid state lasers have
       lifetimes exceeding 10,000 hours, compared to 500 hours for a lamp pumped
       laser.
 
     - Greater Efficiency. Semiconductor lasers convert electrical power to
       light much more efficiently, converting greater than 40% of input power
       compared to 0.02% for a gas laser.
 
As a result of the foregoing advantages, semiconductor-based lasers are
replacing conventional laser technologies in existing applications as well as
enabling many new applications. However, semiconductor-based lasers currently
cannot address applications that require very high power output and laser light
of certain wavelengths. Conventional lasers are the only solution for these
technically demanding applications due to their unique performance
characteristics.
 
     The semiconductor-based laser market generally can be divided into two
categories: low power (less than 0.5 W), such as lasers used in CD players and
laser printers, and high power (0.5 W or greater). To date, the greatest
penetration of semiconductor-based lasers has been in applications that require
low power. As high power semiconductor-based laser technology continues to
advance, the use of high power semiconductor-based lasers is expected to
increase approximately 30% to 40% annually over the next several years according
to Strategies Unlimited, a market research firm.
 
     Customers for high power semiconductor-based lasers are seeking improved
performance and reliability, reduced cost and a greater number of product
offerings. Faced with these challenges and increasing time-to-market pressures,
customers are increasingly relying upon third party technology providers for
further innovations in lasers, optics and other related technologies. Meeting
these requirements is extremely complex and requires significant expertise,
breadth of technology and engineering resources and a substantial financial
commitment.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   32
 
STRATEGY
 
     The Company has been a leading supplier of lasers and laser systems for
over 30 years and has been developing high power semiconductor-based lasers for
the last 14 years. The Company has a significant proprietary and patented
portfolio of lasers, optics and other related laser and manufacturing
technologies. As a result, the Company believes that it is uniquely positioned
to capitalize on the significant market opportunities for high power
semiconductor-based lasers and end-user systems. Key elements of the Company's
strategy include the following:
 
     Capitalize on Leadership in Semiconductor-based Laser Technology. To
enhance its leadership position, the Company is continuing to focus substantial
resources on semiconductor-based laser technology, enabling the Company to
continue developing new products for existing and emerging markets. For example,
the Company recently commenced shipments of the world's highest power single
emitter semiconductor laser and the world's highest power commercially available
semiconductor laser bar. The Company also recently began shipping a 40 kHz, 355
nm UV laser for the stereolithography market.
 
     Develop New Applications and Markets. The Company leverages its technology
and close working relationships with its key customers to develop innovative
solutions to complex customer requirements. In response to specific customer
needs, the Company has developed systems incorporating laser technology in
applications such as hard disk texturing and floptical disk manufacturing, and
is working with customers to develop systems incorporating laser technology in
enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, fiber laser pumping, diamond machining and
PC board drilling.
 
     Introduce Systems Products. The Company's expertise in semiconductor-based
laser and optics technology has enabled it to successfully introduce and market
systems products in the disk drive industry. The Company's LZT-500 and LZT-1000
systems, which the Company commenced shipping in April 1997, use a
Spectra-Physics SLPSS laser and optical beam train together with custom hardware
and software to laser zone texture hard disks. Laser disk texturing systems
enable an increase in the storage capacity of a hard disk. The Company is
focused on developing other laser data storage systems based on its laser and
optics technology.
 
     Continue Supporting Conventional Laser Technology. The Company intends to
maintain a leadership position in the supply of conventional laser systems
through continued targeted research and development investments. The Company
also intends to seek new applications for certain conventional technologies such
as the application of ultra-fast technology to inspect and test semiconductor
wafers.
 
     Leverage Benefits of Vertical Integration. The Company has vertically
integrated into strategic laser technologies, components and manufacturing
processes such as optics and semiconductor wafers, and expects to continue such
strategic vertical integration in the future. This vertical integration enables
the Company to control the quality of strategic components, significantly
improve time-to-market for new products and technologies and more easily
identify new applications.
 
MARKETS
 
     The Company produces a broad range of lasers, laser systems, optics,
optical systems and end user systems for the industrial, OEM and research and
development markets. The primary applications for the Company's products in
these markets are as follows:
 
          - Printing/Graphics. Historically, the commercial printing market has
     used silver halide-based film. In recent years, the commercial printing
     industry has increasingly shifted to thermal-based materials which require
     high power semiconductor-based lasers in the film exposure process. The
     Company believes that the incremental use of thermal-based materials for
     commercial printing will increase the demand for high power
     semiconductor-based lasers. The Company's high power semiconductor-based
     lasers are being used in conjunction with thermal-based film development by
     a number of major film suppliers.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   33
 
          - Materials Processing. Materials processing encompasses a wide range
     of industrial processes that require the delivery of precisely controlled
     heat or light. Major segments of this market include:
 
             Hard Disk Texturing. In hard disk drive manufacturing, disks must
        be roughened or "textured" to prevent the head from fusing to the smooth
        surface of the disk causing the hard drive to "crash." Traditional
        texturing involves the mechanical application of a diamond paste to the
        entire disk surface. Laser-based texturing -- in which a laser is used
        to create tiny bumps on the disk surface -- is rapidly replacing
        mechanical texturing. A laser produces faster, cleaner, less wasteful
        and more consistent texturing over a smaller area of the disk, enabling
        more of the disk to be used for storage and in most cases doubling the
        disk's storage capacity.
 
             Stereolithography. Stereolithography is the computer generation of
        three-dimensional objects from CAD/CAM system input which typically is
        used for producing models, manufacturing prototypes, masters and
        patterns. Stereolithography involves exposing a proprietary photopolymer
        with ultraviolet light which "cures" the polymer creating a solid model
        in hours. Traditional hand crafting or machining methods can take weeks
        or even months to achieve the same result. Because of the advantages of
        SLPSS lasers, they have replaced conventional lasers in
        stereolithography applications requiring high power. The Company
        recently commenced shipments of a 40 kHz, 355 nm UV laser for the
        stereolithography market.
 
             Semiconductor Manufacturing, Inspection and Repair. Lasers are used
        to adjust the electrical characteristics of resistors, to inspect
        semiconductor wafers for defects and to repair semiconductor devices
        such as DRAMs and SRAMs. Because of their high reliability and ease of
        use, SLPSS lasers are widely used in these applications.
 
             Marking. Marking applications include plastics marking (e.g.,
        marking the keys on a computer keyboard) and the marking of finished
        electronic components (e.g., marking very small semiconductor packages
        in final stages of semiconductor manufacturing). SLPSS lasers are
        replacing conventional flash lamp pumped YAG lasers in these and other
        direct-write marking applications where the performance characteristics
        of SLPSS lasers are required.
 
          -  Research and Development. Research and development has historically
     been a major market for conventional laser technology, such as water cooled
     gas lasers, high energy flash lamp pumped YAG lasers and ultrafast systems
     with an installed base of tens of thousands of lasers. As new SLPSS lasers
     that can replicate the performance of conventional lasers are developed,
     they are rapidly replacing conventional lasers in this market. For example,
     in 1996 the Company commenced shipments of a 5 W CW green SLPSS laser
     called the Millennia to research and development customers. To date, over
     350 Millennia lasers have been sold, many of which are being used by
     research and development customers to replace their existing water cooled
     ion lasers. Current applications for SLPSS lasers in the research and
     development market include pump lasers for ultrafast systems, confocal
     microscopy systems and seed lasers in amplifier systems.
 
          - Medical. Semiconductor-based lasers are increasingly used in
     therapeutic, surgical, dental and diagnostic medical applications.
     Therapeutic applications include a variety of skin treatments, such as hair
     removal, and thermal treatments using endoscopic delivery to internal
     organs such as the prostate. Surgical applications are expanding rapidly
     and now include general purpose endoscopic contact and non-contact surgical
     tools. Several diagnostic techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging,
     also employ semiconductor lasers. In this market, the Company provides
     semiconductor-based lasers to medical device OEMs.
 
          - Other. Part of the Company's strategy is to continue to identify
     applications for its technology in other markets. For example, the Company
     is working with Lucent Technologies to develop fiber lasers for the
     telecommunications market. Recently, the two companies announced that a
     fiber laser jointly developed by them achieved record output power levels.
     The Company's SLPSS lasers are also used for PC board drilling and
     flat-panel display repair. Additionally, the Company manufactures and sells
     conventional lasers for use in light shows and other entertainment market
     applications.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   34
 
PRODUCTS
 
     The Company produces a broad range of lasers, laser systems, optics,
optical systems and end user systems. The Company's semiconductor-based laser
products include HPSLs, SLPSS lasers and other SLPSS-based systems. Conventional
products include gas lasers, flash lamp pumped YAG lasers, OPOs, amplifiers,
accessories, optics and optical systems, and related services.
 
     The following chart illustrates the Company's principal products and their
applications.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PRODUCT
                                                        -------------------------------------------
                  LASER APPLICATION                     HPSL     SLPSS     SYSTEMS     CONVENTIONAL
- -----------------------------------------------------   ----     -----     -------     ------------
<S>                                                     <C>      <C>       <C>         <C>
PRINTING/GRAPHICS....................................     M        M                         M
MATERIALS PROCESSING
  -- Hard Disk Texturing.............................              M          M
  -- Stereolithography...............................              M                         M
  -- Semiconductor and Micromachining................     M        M                         M
  -- Marking.........................................     M        M                         M
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.............................     M        M          M              M
MEDICAL..............................................     M        M                         M
OTHER
  -- Telecommunications..............................     M        M
  -- Entertainment...................................     M        M                         M
</TABLE>
 
     High Power Semiconductor Lasers. HPSLs are extremely efficient converters
of electrical power to light and are also highly efficient in focusing generated
light into small spots. While many applications require small spots of very
intense heat, many others, such as pumping crystals and illumination, depend on
the semiconductor laser's ability to create large amounts of nearly
monochromatic photons. These lasers are compact, enabling more cost effective
solutions to a large number of problems. Because the light from
semiconductor-based lasers is emitted in a pattern very different from other
lasers (more like a fan of light rather than a "beam"), the Company has
developed technology to couple the light into an optical fiber to enhance the
"beam" quality or more conveniently deliver the light to the desired location.
 
     The Company manufactures a range of HPSL products with wavelengths from 785
nm to 980 nm and output powers from less than one Watt to two dimensional arrays
which produce hundreds of Watts. These products are available in various forms,
from bare diodes on heat sinks, to fiber-coupled single emitters and bars, to
two dimensional arrays, to fully integrated modules and
microprocessor-controlled units containing power supplies and active coolers.
 
     Semiconductor Laser Pumped Solid State Lasers. SLPSS lasers use
semiconductor lasers to pump a crystal to produce laser beams with special
characteristics in terms of mode quality, power stability, optical noise,
monochromaticity or energy storage. Like HPSLs, SLPSS lasers are smaller, more
efficient, more reliable and less costly to operate than the conventional laser
technologies they are replacing.
 
     The Company produces SLPSS lasers to satisfy a broad range of customer
requirements. Depending on customer needs, an SLPSS laser can combine various
features including a modular power supply and laser head designs, various
crystals, fiber coupling, and different repetition rates, pulse widths and
wavelengths. The Company's SLPSS lasers contain several design features that
distinguish them from competing products. Examples of such features include: air
cooled laser heads that do not require a separate water supply; semiconductor
lasers in the power supply rather than in the head which allow the lasers to be
replaced in the field without disturbing system alignment; and lasers designed
with significant overhead which increases reliability and product life. The
Company has also developed a complete line of intelligent power supplies to
satisfy demanding customer requirements. All of these power supplies support
remote mounting of the fiber-coupled HPSL to enhance field serviceability.
 
     Laser Disk Texturing Products. The Company's laser disk texturing products
offer significant advantages over conventional mechanical processing. The
Company's LZT-1000 has two main components: a laser
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   35
 
texturing component, in which a semiconductor-based laser creates tiny bumps on
the surface of the disks, and a material handling component, in which a robot
inserts and removes the disks from the laser texturing fixture. The Company's
LZT-500 includes only the laser texturing component which enables the customer
to integrate the laser texturing system into its own proprietary material
handling process. Both of the Company's laser disk texturing systems can process
up to 300 disks per hour.
 
     Conventional Products. The Company is a leading supplier of conventional
lasers to industrial and research and development customers. These lasers, while
based upon older technology, have unique performance characteristics that make
them the only current solution for certain demanding technical applications.
According to Laser Focus World, the market for conventional lasers is expected
to grow from $1.1 billion to $1.3 billion in 1997. The Company's strong market
position and technology leadership in these conventional laser applications
enhances its opportunity to expand its high growth semiconductor-based laser
business by generating funds, capitalizing on strong customer relationships and
leveraging its technological expertise. The Company manufactures and sells a
broad range of conventional laser products including:
 
     - Air-cooled gas lasers ranging from 5 to 75 mW (9 models)
 
     - Water-cooled gas lasers ranging from 4 to 30 W (7 models)
 
     - Flash lamp pumped YAG lasers ranging from 500 mJ to 3 J as well as 4
       harmonic wavelengths (11 models)
 
     - Ultrafast lasers with pulse widths as low as 50 femtoseconds (5 models)
 
     - OPOs covering wavelengths from 220 nm to 2600 nm (4 basic models with
       numerous options)
 
     - Amplifiers covering a wide range of powers, wavelengths, pulse widths and
       repetition rates (2 basic models with numerous options)
 
     - Optics and optical systems with super-smooth surfaces (1 angstrom or
       less), damage thresholds of up to 1000 watts per square millimeter of
       continuous power and very low scatter optics
 
TECHNOLOGY
 
     General. The word "laser" is an acronym for "light amplification by
stimulated emission of radiation." A laser consists of (i) an active lasing
medium that gives off its own light (radiation) when excited; (ii) an optical
resonator with a partially reflective output mirror at one end and a fully
reflective rear mirror at the other that permits the light to bounce back and
forth between the mirrors through the lasing medium; and (iii) an external
energy source used to excite the lasing medium. The energy source can be light
from special lamps, light from another laser, an electric current or a chemical
reaction. The lasing medium can be a gas (such as helium and neon, argon or
carbon dioxide), a liquid (such as an organic dye), a semiconductor material
(such as aluminum gallium arsenide) or a crystal (such as ruby, YAG or titanium
sapphire). A laser works by causing the energy source to excite (pump) the
lasing medium, converting the energy from the source into an emission consisting
of particles of light (photons). These photons stimulate the release of more
photons as they are reflected back and forth between the two mirrors that make
up the laser's resonator. The resulting build-up in the number of photons is
emitted in the form of a laser beam through the output port or "window" created
by the partially reflective mirror. By changing the energy and the lasing
medium, different wavelengths and types of laser light can be produced. Heat
generated by the excitation of the lasing medium is dissipated through a cooling
mechanism, which varies according to the type of laser technology; lasers can be
cooled by water, air or, in the case of semiconductor-based lasers, heat sinks
attached to the semiconductor lasers.
 
     Laser light has three fundamental properties that distinguish it from
conventional "spontaneous emission" light sources: monochromaticity,
directionality and coherence. Monochromaticity refers to the purity of color or
spectral bandwidth of emitted light; directionality describes the degree of
collimation or parallelism of the light rays; and coherence refers to the phase
relationship of the light waves as they are propagated. Laser light features
each of these properties to a high degree, and laser design revolves around
modulating and combining the three properties to serve the requirements of
specific applications. For example,
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   36
 
monochromatic laser light can be used to probe the structure of atoms, control
complex chemical reactions or produce realistic three dimensional holograms.
Highly directional and coherent laser light can be focused to much smaller spot
sizes than any ordinary light source which enables a wide range of applications
including printing, marking and inspection and measurement. Lasers can be
continuous wave, pulsed or modelocked with varying repetition rates; they can
have different bandwidths (more or less monochromatic) and different line
widths; and they come in different powers from microJoules to thousands of
Watts. Different laser designs result in various output characteristics in terms
of power, pulse width, repetition rate and wavelength depending on the needs of
the application.
 
     Spectra-Physics Technology. Formed in 1961 as the first commercial laser
company, the Company has a long history of introducing innovative technologies
and laser products. Some of the innovative laser products successfully
introduced by the Company include: commercial argon gas lasers (1964), high
power helium neon lasers (1976), sealed cavity air cooled gas lasers (1981),
HPSLs (1983), fiber-coupled SLPSS lasers (1986), titanium-sapphire ultrafast
lasers (1990), FC bar semiconductor technology (1992), high power CW SLPSS green
lasers (1996) and the highest power (40 W) commercially available HPSLs (1997).
 
     Recent examples of the Company's technological leadership in
semiconductor-based lasers and systems include its discovery of QMAD, a patented
technique for shortening the fundamental output wavelength from an SLPSS laser
that enables the Company to produce green lasers with powers up to 12 W. The
high efficiency QMAD technique has also enabled the Company to produce green
SLPSS lasers with lower powers for price sensitive OEM markets. The Company also
recently developed and commercialized high power semiconductor bars that produce
over 40 W of power -- twice as much as was commercially available previously. In
addition, the Company recently developed and commercialized a 40 kHz, 355 nm UV
SLPSS laser producing more than 300 mW of power. These new SLPSS lasers are
displacing large frame gas lasers in the stereolithography market.
 
     The Company is also a technology leader in laser disk texturing systems.
The Company's disk texturing systems incorporate diffraction limited optics
capable of producing bumps less than 4 mm in diameter, an autofocus servo for
maintaining long term consistency of P2 nm in bump height and have the highest
throughput per dollar of system cost and the lowest cost per square foot of
clean room space.
 
     The Company also has state-of-the-art technology in its conventional
products. For example, the Company's Tsunami offers the highest power, broadest
tunability and widest pulse width coverage of any commercial ultrafast system.
The Company has also recently introduced a new series of flash lamp pumped YAG
lasers, the PRO, which has the highest beam pointing and energy stability of any
commercial YAG laser system.
 
SALES AND MARKETING
 
     The Company's sales and service strategy is to have one primary channel to
the customer on a worldwide basis. This is accomplished through a separate
distribution organization responsible for selling and servicing products
directly in several countries and through over 30 independent distributors in
the rest of the world. Today, the Company has direct sales units in North
America, Japan, Germany, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The
Company began establishing international direct sales offices in the mid-1970s.
Distributors are managed by the Company's export unit which is based in Mountain
View, California and has an office in Darmstadt, Germany.
 
     The Company's direct sales units employ approximately 145 people performing
sales, service engineering, customer support and administrative functions. They
are responsible for the complete order fulfillment cycle, from quotation through
order placement to delivery. The sales organization is also responsible for
bringing the appropriate marketing and technical resources to bear on a
customer's requirements and ensuring the customer receives high-quality support.
 
     The Company's sales strategy also involves establishing long-term
relationships with its customers. For industrial and OEM customers, this
relationship starts at the early design-in of the Company's lasers and laser
systems into customer applications. The Company supports its customers with
on-site field service, technical
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   37
 
service engineers and training programs and telephone support from its direct
sales units. Each sales unit maintains an inventory of critical components and
certain replacement systems and sub-systems to help minimize customer downtime.
The Company in general warrants its products for twelve to twenty-four months
depending on the product line. Certain manufacturing intensive industries such
as the hard disk manufacturing industry require high levels of support to
minimize costly downtime. The Company provides direct service to its hard disk
drive customers which are principally located in California, Japan, Taiwan and
Southeast Asia.
 
     The Company's marketing activities include: analyzing and understanding
future product requirements of the Company's target markets and translating
those requirements into product specifications and cost targets by working
closely with customers and key technologists in industry and academia; providing
applications engineering support as part of the sales process to industrial and
OEM customers; and product promotion, which includes participating in trade
shows and conferences and advertising through trade journals, new product
announcements and direct mailings.
 
     Backlog consists of written purchase orders for products which are
scheduled to be shipped within the following twelve months. As of September 30,
1997, the Company's backlog was approximately $60.1 million, compared with
approximately $41.0 million at September 30, 1996. Orders in backlog are firm,
but are subject to cancellation or rescheduling by the customer without penalty.
Because of the possible changes in product delivery schedules and cancellation
of product orders and because the Company's sales will often not reflect orders
shipped in the same quarter that they are booked, the Company's backlog at any
particular date is not necessarily indicative of actual sales for any succeeding
period.
 
CUSTOMERS
 
     Through its global distribution and service network the Company provides a
range of laser solutions to its major markets. The Company's major customers
include: 3D Systems, Becton Dickinson, DaiNippon Screen, Electro-Scientific
Industries, Haemonetics, IBM, KLA/Tencor, Komag, Presstek, Rofin-Sinar, Seagate
and Western Digital. During 1996 and the first nine months of fiscal 1997, 55%
and 62% of the Company's sales were in North America and export, 22% and 18%
were in Europe and 23% and 20% were in Japan, respectively. No single customer
accounted for more than 10% of the Company's sales for 1996 or for the
nine-month period ended September 30, 1997.
 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
 
     The Company's research and development activities are divided into two main
areas: advanced research in selected fields such as optics fabrication and
coating, HPSLs and SLPSS lasers; and product engineering which focuses on
designing and developing products for known, quantified markets with clearly
defined performance goals and cost targets. The primary focus of these research
and development efforts is high power semiconductor-based lasers and laser
systems. The Company often develops new products at the customer's design-in
stage in order to maximize the functionality of the product for the customer.
The Company's products are designed for manufacturability and serviceability. In
addition, high parts commonality is a goal that has been achieved on a number of
product lines through the use of common power supplies and laser head platforms.
 
     In 1994, 1995 and 1996 and the nine months ended September 30, 1997, the
Company expended approximately $7.8 million, $7.9 million, $12.0 million and
$10.9 million, respectively, on internally funded research and development. In
1996 and 1997, such expenditures included significant investments in the
development of the Company's laser disk texturing system. The Company expects to
continue to spend substantial amounts on research and development activities.
The Company's ability to successfully compete will be substantially dependent on
its ability to design, develop and introduce new products on a timely basis.
 
     As of September 30, 1997, the Company had approximately 107 employees
engaged in advanced research and product development and engineering, of whom
approximately 67 are professional engineers or have master's or doctor's degrees
(including 22 Ph.D.s) The Company's research and development activities are
carried out in Mountain View, California for SLPSS lasers, optical coatings,
laser disk texturing and
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   38
 
conventional products, in Oroville, California for optical systems and optics
fabrication and in Tucson, Arizona for HPSLs. The Company maintains close
working relationships with several leading industrial, government and university
research laboratories around the world. Such relationships include funding of
third party research, joint development programs and licensing of patents
developed by such organizations. The Company also participates in certain U.S.
government funded programs such as Technology Reinvestment Program (TRP), when
the programs' objectives are consistent with the Company's technology road map.
 
MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS
 
     The Company's manufacturing activities include semiconductor laser
manufacturing, plasma tube manufacturing, optics fabrication and coating, fine
mechanics manufacturing and assembly integration and test. One of the Company's
core business philosophies is to concentrate its manufacturing efforts on
strategic activities and to outsource production of other components. This
philosophy forms the basis for the Company's vertical integration into
semiconductor wafer fabrication, semiconductor lasers, optics fabrication and
coating and very fine mechanical parts. The Company believes each of these
operations is essential to the rapid development of new products and to
maintaining a high level of product quality.
 
     The Company focuses substantial efforts on maintaining and enhancing the
efficiency and quality of its manufacturing operations. The Company uses kanban,
just-in-time and product flow line techniques to reduce manufacturing cycle
times and inventory levels and to enable it to offer on-time delivery and high
quality products to its customers.
 
     The Company has manufacturing operations in Mountain View and Oroville,
California and Tucson, Arizona. The Company's four manufacturing operations in
Mountain View include research optics manufacturing, plasma tube manufacturing,
laser manufacturing and laser disk texturing manufacturing. The Company's
manufacturing operations in Tucson include semiconductor laser manufacturing and
integrated unit assembly. The Company has manufacturing operations in Oroville
that include optics fabrication and coating, optical system manufacturing and
metal component fabrication. The Company's principal manufacturing operations
are:
 
          - Semiconductor Laser Manufacturing. The Company's semiconductor laser
     manufacturing operation is vertically integrated and has capabilities in
     wafer fabrication, wafer processing, bar processing, device packaging, test
     and burn-in and fiber-coupling. The Company has three large scale epitaxial
     deposition units, two of which are capable of handling 30 two inch diameter
     wafers and one of which handles 15 two inch diameter wafers.
 
          - Plasma Tube Manufacturing. The Company makes three types of plasma
     tubes: glass, metal beryllium oxide and metal ceramic. These tubes are used
     as the photon source for its gas lasers.
 
          - Optics Fabrication and Coating. The Company fabricates and coats
     most of the optics used in its lasers. These operations are conducted in a
     state-of-the-art facility constructed to Class 10,000 clean room standards
     with portions of the building maintained at either Class 1000 or Class 100
     levels as required.
 
          - Fine Mechanics Manufacturing. The fine mechanics operation primarily
     produces aluminum and stainless steel components with relatively high
     feature content and surface finish requirements for use in the Company's
     laser and optical systems.
 
          - Research Optics Manufacturing. The Company's film coating facility
     is designed for the development of new coating technology and the
     production of very large optics up to three feet in diameter.
 
          - Assembly, Integration and Test. As part of the manufacturing
     process, the Company assembles, integrates and tests its systems, including
     laser, laser disk texturing, optical and power supply systems.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   39
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
     The Company's facilities and operations are subject to a wide variety of
Environmental Laws and Employee Safety Laws. Further, compliance with
Environmental Laws also may require the acquisition of permits or other
authorizations for certain activities and compliance with various standards or
procedural requirements. Although the Company believes that its operations are
in compliance in all material respects with current requirements under
Environmental Laws and Employee Safety Laws, the nature of the Company's
operations exposes it to the risk of liabilities or claims with respect to such
matters.
 
     Certain of these Environmental Laws, including Superfund Laws, hold owners
or operators of land or businesses liable for their own and for previous owners'
or operators' releases of Hazardous Substances. Such Superfund Laws also provide
for responses to and liability for releases of certain Hazardous Substances into
the environment. The nature of the Company's operations and the long history of
industrial uses at some of its current or former facilities expose the Company
to risk of liabilities or claims under Superfund Laws. The Company has received
three notifications from state or federal environmental regulatory agencies
stating that the Company may be potentially responsible under Superfund Laws for
the release of Hazardous Substances generated by its former operations at three
locations. The Company responded to the inquiries by asserting that it was not
responsible for response activities at any of these sites. Since the Company
provided its responses, the environmental regulatory agencies have not pursued
the Company as a potentially responsible party at two of the sites and the
Company received a letter from the environmental agency stating that it does not
consider the Company as a potentially responsible party at this time at the
third site.
 
     Since 1984, the Company's facilities in Mountain View, California
("Mountain View Site") have been undergoing investigation and remediation in
response to past releases of industrial solvents to the soil and groundwater. In
addition, the impacted groundwater has migrated to what is referred to as the
North Bayshore Area. As a result of these past releases, the Mountain View Site
and other neighboring sites are listed on the NPL or the Superfund List under
CERCLA. The Company is subject to Orders that require the Company to perform
remediation on- and off-site and investigate other potentially responsible
parties. Pursuant to the Orders and other orders issued to other responsible
parties, the Company and other responsible parties are jointly performing and
funding remediation which includes soil treatment and on-site and off-site
groundwater extraction, treatment and monitoring. All of the required soil and
groundwater remediation and monitoring systems currently required by the Order
are in place, and consequently the initial capital expenses for such systems
have been incurred. In October 1997, the Company was served with a complaint
that had been filed in the Superior Court of the State of California seeking an
unspecified amount of damages for personal injuries and property damage incurred
by residents of a single location alleged to have resulted from the Company's
and others' negligent and/or intentional handling of toxic chemicals (Rosario
Balcita et al. v. Teledyne Semiconductor, Spectra-Physics Lasers, et al.). While
the Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the claims asserted in this
lawsuit and intends to vigorously defend itself in this case, the amount of
loss, if any, that may result upon resolution of this complaint is not currently
estimable nor have any amounts been accrued in the financial statements.
Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the complaint will be resolved
without adverse impact to the Company's financial position or results of
operations. There can be no assurances that other parties will not come forward
and claim personal injury or property damage.
 
     Based on the Company's experience to date, the Company believes that the
future cost of compliance with existing Environmental Laws (or liability for
known environmental liabilities or claims) and Employee Safety Laws should not
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition. However, future events, such as changes in existing laws
and regulations or their interpretation, or the discovery of heretofore unknown
contamination, may give rise to additional compliance costs or liabilities that
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating
results and financial condition. Compliance with more stringent laws or
regulations, as well as more vigorous enforcement policies of regulatory
agencies or stricter or different interpretations of existing laws, may require
additional expenditures by the Company that may be material.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   40
 
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
 
     The Company has over 150 active patents and over 65 additional patent
applications pending. The Company also has a royalty-free license to all of
SDL's patents applied for or issued prior to June 25, 1993.
 
     The Company's future success and competitive position is dependent upon its
proprietary technology, and the Company relies on patent, trade secret,
trademark and copyright law to protect its intellectual property. There can be
no assurance that any of the patents owned or licensed by the Company will not
be invalidated, circumvented, challenged or licensed to others, that the rights
granted thereunder will provide competitive advantages to the Company or that
any of the Company's pending or future patent applications will be issued within
the scope of the claims sought by the Company, if at all. Furthermore, there can
be no assurance that others will not develop technologies that are similar or
superior to the Company's technology, duplicate the Company's technology or
design around the patents owned by the Company. In addition, effective
copyright, patent and trade secret protection may be unavailable, limited or not
applied for in certain foreign countries. Certain of the Company's technology is
licensed on a non-exclusive basis from third parties which may license such
technology to others, including competitors of the Company. There can be no
assurance that the steps taken by the Company to protect its technology will
prevent misappropriation of such technology.
 
     The laser and optics industry is characterized by frequent litigation
regarding patent and other intellectual property rights. Litigation has been
necessary and may be necessary in the future to enforce the Company's patents
and other intellectual property rights, to protect the Company's trade secrets,
to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others or to
defend against claims of infringement or invalidity. Such litigation has in the
past resulted in substantial costs and diversion of resources and any future
actions could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
operating results and financial condition. From time to time the Company has
received and expects in the future to receive notices of claims of infringement
of other parties' proprietary rights. There can be no assurance that
infringement claims (or claims for indemnification resulting from infringement
claims) will not be asserted against the Company or will not result in an
injunction against the sale of allegedly infringing products or otherwise
materially adversely affect the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition. The Company actively seeks to patent its inventions. The
Company frequently reviews its inventions and attempts to determine which ones
will provide substantial differentiation between the Company's products and
those of competitors. In certain cases, the Company may also choose to keep an
invention or a process a trade secret. Trade secrets are routinely employed in
the Company's semiconductor laser, optics and plasma tube manufacturing
operations. The Company generally enters into non-disclosure agreements with its
employees and consultants to protect its proprietary technology.
 
COMPETITION
 
     The Company's various markets are highly competitive. The Company's overall
competitive position depends on a number of factors including the price, quality
and performance of its products, the level of customer service, the development
of new technology and the Company's ability to participate in emerging markets.
The Company faces competition from three primary sources: current direct
competitors, potential competitors and suppliers of new technologies. The
Company offers a range of components, subsystems, products and systems and has a
number of competitors worldwide in various segments of its markets. In its HPSL
markets, direct competitors include SDL, Inc., Siemens and Thompson-CSF. In its
SLPSS laser markets, major competitors include Coherent, Inc. and Lightwave
Electronics Inc. In the laser disk texturing market, the Company's major
competitor is IBM Corporation. In its other product markets, the Company's major
competitors include Coherent, Inc., Continuum (a division of Hoya) and Uniphase
Corporation. None of the Company's competitors competes in all of the product
areas and industries currently served by the Company. However, as existing or
new markets continue to grow, the Company expects that new competitors will
emerge and present competitors will seek to increase their market share.
 
     New technologies may emerge to compete with the Company's products. For
example, Polaroid has recently developed a fiber laser working in conjunction
with SDL. This technology, which is also being developed by the Company, will
compete in some markets with SLPSS lasers. In most of the Company's
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   41
 
product lines, both the Company and its competitors are working to develop new
technologies, or improvements and modifications to existing technologies, which
will render present products obsolete. There can be no assurance that the
Company's development efforts will be successful. In addition, there can be no
assurance that markets will develop for any such future products, or that any
such products will be competitive with other technologies or products that may
be developed by others. Some of the Company's competitors have significantly
greater financial, technical, manufacturing, marketing, sales and other
resources than the Company. In addition, some of these competitors may be able
to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies, evolving industry
trends and changes in customer requirements and to devote greater resources to
the development, promotion and sale of their products than the Company. There
can be no assurance that the Company's current or potential competitors will not
develop or acquire products comparable or superior to those developed by the
Company, combine or merge to form larger, more significant competitors, or adapt
more quickly than the Company to new technologies, evolving industry trends and
changing customer requirements. Increased competition has resulted and is
expected in the future to result in price reductions, reduced margins or loss of
market share, any of which could materially and adversely affect the Company's
business, operating results and financial condition. There can be no assurance
that the Company will be able to compete successfully against current or future
competitors or that competitive pressures faced by the Company will not have a
material adverse effect on its business, operating results and financial
condition. The Company expects that both direct and indirect competition will
increase in the future. Additional competition could adversely affect the
Company's business, operating results and financial condition through price
reductions or loss of market share. See "Risk Factors -- Competition."
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     At September 30, 1997, the Company had 768 full time employees, including
107 in research, development and engineering, 146 in sales, service and
marketing, 431 in operations and 84 in general management, administration and
finance. The Company intends to hire additional personnel in each of these
areas. The Company also had approximately 60 temporary workers and consultants
at September 30, 1997. The Company's future success will depend in part on its
ability to attract, train, retain and motivate highly qualified employees, who
are in great demand. There can be no assurance that the Company will be
successful in attracting and retaining such personnel. The Company's employees
are not represented by any collective bargaining organization, and the Company
has never experienced a general work stoppage, slowdown or strike. The Company
considers its employee relations to be good.
 
FACILITIES
 
     The Company conducts its business from office and manufacturing facilities
at six locations in Mountain View, California, two facilities in Oroville,
California and one facility in Tucson, Arizona. In the aggregate, the Company
occupies approximately 46,100 square feet of owned space and 129,500 square feet
of leased space in Mountain View, 51,350 square feet of leased space in Oroville
and 29,300 square feet of owned space in Tucson. The Company's lease agreements
have expiration dates ranging from 1998 to 2006. The Company leases sales and
service offices in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, Darmstadt, Germany, Z.A. de
Courtaboeuf, France, Eindhoven, the Netherlands and Hemel Hempstead, Great
Britain.
 
     The Company is planning a 10,000 square foot expansion of its facilities in
Oroville, which is scheduled for completion in the first half of 1998.
Additionally, a 48,000 square foot addition to the Tucson facility is currently
being planned and is scheduled for completion by the end of 1998. The Company
believes that its existing facilities and these expansions will be adequate for
the Company to meet its needs for the next 12 months. The Company believes that
suitable additional or alternative space will be available, if necessary, in the
future on commercially reasonable terms.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   42
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND CERTAIN OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES
 
     The following table sets forth certain information concerning the directors
and certain officers and key employees of the Company as of the date of this
Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          NAME             AGE                              POSITION
- -------------------------  ---     ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>     <C>
Patrick L. Edsell........  49      Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of
                                   Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc.
Leif A. Alexandersson....  44      Vice President, Distribution of Spectra-Physics Lasers,
                                   Inc.
George M. Balogh.........  46      Vice President and General Manager, Commercial Systems
                                   Group of Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc.
Charles E. Chandler......  44      Vice President and General Manager, OEM Business Unit of
                                   Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc.
Ken E. Johnson...........  38      Vice President, Human Resources of Spectra-Physics Lasers,
                                   Inc.
Thomas J. Scannell.......  46      Vice President, Finance of Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc.
Shinan S. Sheng..........  47      Vice President and General Manager, Industrial and
                                   Scientific Lasers Business Unit of Spectra-Physics Lasers,
                                   Inc.
Mark S. Sobey............  37      President of Spectra-Physics Laser Data Systems, Inc.
John M. Tracy............  54      President of Opto Power Corporation
Lawrence C. Karlson......  54      Director
Lennart F. Rappe.........  53      Director
Lars Spongberg...........  51      Director
</TABLE>
 
   
     Patrick L. Edsell has been Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
of Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc. since the Reorganization. Prior to the
Reorganization, he served as the President of the Lasers and Optics Group since
September 1990. From October 1986 until September 1990, Mr. Edsell was Vice
President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Spectra-Physics AB and its
predecessor Pharos AB. He is a member of the board of directors of FLIR Systems,
Inc., a scanning device company.
    
 
     Leif A. Alexandersson has been Vice President, Distribution of
Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc. since the Reorganization. Prior to the
Reorganization, Mr. Alexandersson served as the Vice President, Distribution of
the Lasers and Optics Group since March 1993. He joined the Lasers and Optics
Group in March 1992 as the Vice President for European Distribution. Mr.
Alexandersson was President of Geotronics of North America, a construction
instruments company and an affiliate of Spectra-Physics AB, from 1988 to 1992.
 
     George M. Balogh has been Vice President and General Manager of the
Commercial Systems Group of Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc. since the
Reorganization. Prior to the Reorganization, Mr. Balogh served as Vice President
and General Manager of the Commercial Systems Group for the Lasers and Optics
Group since June 1991. He joined the Lasers and Optics Group in 1988 as
Operations Manager.
 
     Charles E. Chandler has been the Vice President and General Manager of the
OEM Business Unit of Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc. since the Reorganization.
Prior to the Reorganization, Mr. Chandler served as the Vice President and
General Manager of the OEM Business Unit for the Lasers and Optics Group since
January 1996. He joined the Lasers and Optics Group in July 1988 as
Manufacturing Manager and served as OEM Engineering Manager for the three years
prior to October 1995.
 
     Ken E. Johnson has been the Vice President, Human Resources for
Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc. since the Reorganization. Prior to the
Reorganization, he served as the Vice President, Human Resources of the Lasers
and Optics Group since October 1995. He joined the Lasers and Optics Group in
July 1989 and served as Senior Human Resources Representative, Manager,
Compensation and Benefits and Human Resources Manager prior to 1995.
 
     Thomas J. Scannell has been the Vice President, Finance of Spectra-Physics
Lasers, Inc. since the Reorganization. Prior to the Reorganization, Mr. Scannell
served as the Vice President, Finance of the Lasers
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   43
 
and Optics Group since July 1996. From 1990 to 1996, he was a Division
Controller and Assistant Corporate Controller at Raychem Inc., a materials
science company.
 
     Shinan S. Sheng has been the Vice President and General Manager of the
Industrial and Scientific Lasers Business Unit of Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc.
since the Reorganization. Prior to the Reorganization, Dr. Sheng served as the
Vice President and General Manager of the Industrial and Scientific Lasers
Business Unit of the Lasers and Optics Group since April 1995. He joined the
Lasers and Optics Group in 1979 advancing from a laser physicist through a
number of management positions to his current position.
 
     Mark S. Sobey is the President of Spectra-Physics Laser Data Systems, Inc.,
a subsidiary of the Company. Dr. Sobey has held this position since Laser Data
was founded in January 1996. He joined the Laser and Optics Group in 1985
advancing from a salesman in the United Kingdom through several management
positions to his current position.
 
     John M. Tracy is the President of Opto Power Corporation, a subsidiary of
the Company. Dr. Tracy joined the Lasers and Optics Group in September 1992 as
the result of the acquisition of the Advanced Optoelectronics business unit of
Applied Solar Energy Corporation. Opto Power was formed in September 1992,
immediately after the acquisition. Dr. Tracy was Vice President and General
Manager of Advanced Optoelectronics from 1985 to 1992.
 
     Lawrence C. Karlson has been a director of the Company since October 1997.
Since prior to 1992, he has been a private investor in and an advisor to a
number of businesses. He is a member of the board of directors of AmeriSource
Health Corporation, of which he is the non-executive chairman, and CDI
Corporation, each of which is a public corporation. He is also a member of the
board of directors of several private companies.
 
     Lennart F. Rappe has been a director of the Company since 1995. He has
served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Spectra-Physics
AB since 1995. From 1990 to 1995, he was Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of the Esab Group.
 
   
     Lars Spongberg has been a director of the Company since October 1997. He
has served as President of Spectra-Physics AB since 1996. From 1995 to 1996, he
was Senior Vice President of Autoliv AB, an automotive parts manufacturer, and
was previously President of AB Handel och Industri (1993-1995), an investment
bank, and Senior Vice President of Svenska Handelsbanken (1987-1993), a
commercial bank. He has been a member of the board of directors of
Spectra-Physics AB since April 1997. Mr. Spongberg is also a member of the board
of directors of FLIR Systems, Inc., a scanning device company.
    
 
TERMS AND NUMBERS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
     The Board of Directors of the Company currently consists of four directors:
Patrick L. Edsell, Lawrence C. Karlson, Lennart F. Rappe and Lars Spongberg.
Vacancies on the Board of Directors (including vacancies created by an increase
in the number of directors) may only be filled by a majority of the remaining
directors. Each member of the Board of Directors holds office until the next
annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor has been duly
elected and qualified. The Company will elect an additional independent director
to the Board of Directors of the Company as soon as possible. See "Risk
Factors -- Control by Principal Stockholder" and "Risk Factors -- Certain
Anti-Takeover Matters; Possible Issuance of Preferred Stock."
 
     Executive officers of the Company are appointed by and serve at the
discretion of the Company's Board of Directors.
 
CERTAIN COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
     Upon completion of the offering, the Board of Directors of the Company will
establish an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee. The Audit Committee's
functions will include (i) recommending annually to the Board of Directors the
appointment of the independent public accountants of the Company, (ii) reviewing
the scope of the prospective annual audit and reviewing the results thereof with
the independent public accountants, (iii) reviewing non-audit services of the
independent public
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   44
 
accountants, (iv) reviewing compliance with the accounting and financial
policies of the Company, (v) reviewing the adequacy of the financial
organization of the Company, (vi) reviewing the adequacy of the Company's
internal accounting control system and its compliance with federal and state
laws relating to accounting practices and (vii) reviewing transactions with
affiliated parties. The Compensation Committee will review and recommend annual
salaries and bonuses for all corporate officers, review and recommend to the
Board of Directors modifications in employee benefit plans and administer the
1997 Plan.
 
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
 
     Directors not affiliated with the Company or Spectra-Physics AB will
receive an annual fee of $10,000 for serving on the Board of Directors, a fee of
$1,000 for attending each Board of Directors meeting and a fee of $500 for
attending each committee meeting not held on the same day as a Board meeting.
Directors are reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with attendance at
meetings of the Board of Directors or committees thereof. Following completion
of the offering, no officer of the Company will receive any additional
compensation for serving as a member of the Board of Directors or any of its
committees. Under the 1997 Plan, each director not affiliated with the Company
or Spectra-Physics AB will receive an initial option grant to purchase 15,000
shares of Common Stock on the date on which the offering is consummated, or if
such person first becomes a director after the offering, upon his or her
election to the Board of Directors, and an annual option grant to purchase 5,000
shares of Common Stock thereafter. Options granted to such non-affiliated
directors will have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the
Common Stock on the date of grant. See "-- 1997 Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc.
Stock Option Plan."
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
     During 1996, the Company's Board of Directors did not have a compensation
committee or other Board committee performing similar functions. Compensation
decisions were made by Patrick L. Edsell, President of the Company, and Lars
Spongberg, a director of the Company. During such year, no executive officer of
the Company served as a member of the Board of Directors or Compensation
Committee of any non-affiliated entity that has one or more executive officers
serving as a member of the Company's Board of Directors.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The following table sets forth, for the year ended December 31, 1996,
certain information regarding the cash compensation paid by the Company, as well
as certain other compensation paid or accrued for such fiscal year, to the
Company's Chief Executive Officer and each of the four other most highly
compensated executive officers of the Company (the "Named Executive Officers").
 
                        1996 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        ANNUAL COMPENSATION
                                                        --------------------      ALL OTHER
             NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION(S)              SALARY      BONUS(1)    COMPENSATION
    ------------------------------------------------    --------     -------     ------------
    <S>                                                 <C>          <C>         <C>
    Patrick L. Edsell...............................    $234,500     $80,000       $ 44,819(2)(3)
    Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
    Leif A. Alexandersson...........................     185,285      75,982          4,584(4)
    Vice President
    George M. Balogh................................     154,739      62,952         12,139(4)
    Vice President/General Manager
    Shinan S. Sheng.................................     154,627      62,952          3,732(4)
    Vice President/General Manager
    Mark S. Sobey...................................     149,841          --          3,312(4)
    President - Laser Data
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Consists of cash bonuses earned in 1996 pursuant to the Company's Executive
    Incentive Plan but paid in 1997. See "Management -- Executive Incentive
    Plan."
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   45
 
(2) Mr. Edsell receives personal benefits in the form of additional payments for
    certain medical, dental, disability and life insurance premiums. The
    aggregate amount of such personal benefits, however, does not exceed the
    lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the total of the annual salary and bonus
    reported for Mr. Edsell.
 
(3) "All Other Compensation" for Mr. Edsell includes the following: (i) a
    $25,000 annual payment for serving as a member of the Board of Directors of
    the Company which was awarded in lieu of additional salary, (ii) $5,105 in
    401(k) matching contribution made by the Company, (iii) $12,214 annual
    payment for a Company purchased automobile and (iv) $2,500 for preparation
    of Federal and state income tax returns.
 
(4) Consists of a 401(k) matching contribution made by the Company on behalf of
    such Named Executive Officer and with respect to Mr. Balogh, loan
    forgiveness of $8,620.
 
COMPENSATION PURSUANT TO SPECTRA-PHYSICS AB BENEFIT PLANS
 
     During 1996, the Company's executive officers and certain other employees
participated in various benefit plans maintained by Spectra-Physics AB.
Following the offering, the executive officers and employees of the Company will
not participate in such plans.
 
     Spectra-Physics AB adopted the 1994 Phantom Stock Option Plan pursuant to
which certain of the then executive officers and employees of the Company were
granted an aggregate of 35,000 phantom stock options (the "Phantom Stock
Options"), of which 18,000 Phantom Stock Options were outstanding as of
September 30, 1997. Each Phantom Stock Option entitles the holder the right to
receive a cash payment upon exercise of the Phantom Stock Option equal to the
fair market value of one share of common stock of Spectra-Physics AB less the
reference price of the Phantom Stock Option. Pursuant to the plan and subject to
certain conditions, the fair market value of Spectra-Physics AB's common stock
is defined as the average price of the last 10,000 shares of common stock of
Spectra-Physics AB traded on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Phantom Stock Options
may be exercised from two to four years from the date of grant.
 
1997 SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC. STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
     Prior to this offering, the Company will adopt the 1997 Spectra-Physics
Lasers, Inc. Stock Option Plan which provides for the granting of non-qualified
stock options ("Options") to certain officers, key employees and non-employee
directors of the Company. The 1997 Plan will be administered by the Compensation
Committee. The aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock available for
awards under the 1997 Plan is 2,252,993 shares (2,304,421 shares if the
Underwriters exercise their overallotment option in full), subject to adjustment
to reflect changes in the Company's capitalization. No awards can be made under
the 1997 Plan more than 10 years after the date it is adopted.
 
     The exercise price of the Options will be determined by the Compensation
Committee in its discretion, provided that the exercise price must be at least
100% of the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Option
is granted. An Option's term shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant.
No Option may be exercised sooner than six months from the date of grant.
 
     Concurrent with the offering, the Board of Directors is expected to have
approved the grant of Options to certain officers, directors and employees of
the Company to purchase an aggregate of 2,158,645 shares of the Common Stock
under the 1997 Plan at the initial public offering price, of which options to
purchase 473,100 shares, 141,930 shares, 141,930 shares and 141,930 shares will
have been granted to Messrs. Edsell, Alexandersson, Balogh and Sheng,
respectively. These options will vest 25% upon the first anniversary of the
grant date and 6.25% at the end of each three-month period thereafter. Subject
to the terms of the 1997 Plan, these Options will be exercisable to the extent
vested beginning two years after the grant date. These Options may not be
exercised following termination of the grantee's employment with the Company,
except that in the event that a grantee's employment terminates due to death,
disability or retirement, options held by such grantee or his estate shall be
exercisable, to the extent vested at the time of termination of employment, for
a period of three (3) months after termination of employment or, if later, the
end of the foregoing two-year period. These Options expire 10 years from the
grant date.
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   46
 
SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC. SAVINGS PLUS PLAN
 
     The Company's Savings Plus Plan (the "401(k) Plan"), as amended, is a
savings and retirement plan intended to satisfy the tax qualification
requirements of Sections 401(a), 401(k) and 401(m) of the Code. Subject to
certain terms and conditions of the 401(k) Plan, substantially all of the
Company's employees are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan on the first
day of the month coinciding with or next following such employee's first day of
employment. Eligible employees may contribute to the 401(k) Plan up to 15% of
their compensation on a pre-tax basis and up to 5% of their compensation on an
after-tax basis, subject to certain limitations in the Code.
 
     The Company, in its discretion, may (i) make contributions to the 401(k)
Plan each year that match in whole or in part the pre-tax contributions that
employees make to the 401(k) Plan, (ii) make profit sharing contributions each
year and (iii) allocate those profit sharing contributions to employees in equal
amounts to each employee or in a proportionate amount based on an employee's
compensation for the year in relation to all of the employees' compensation for
that year. All Company and employee contributions to the 401(k) Plan are fully
vested and nonforfeitable at all times. Contributions to the 401(k) Plan are
allocated to individual accounts for each employee, and employees may direct the
investment of their accounts into various investment funds. The trustee of the
401(k) Plan is Fidelity Management Trust Company.
 
EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE PLAN
 
     The Company's Executive Incentive Plan provides certain officers of the
Company with annual incentive cash bonus awards based on achievement of certain
pre-established quantitative and qualitative goals. The goals of the Executive
Incentive Plan are to reward executives for superior performance and for
exceeding the Company's predetermined financial and business goals. To be
eligible under the Executive Incentive Plan, a participant must be a full-time
regular employee on the date of payment.
 
EMPLOYEE BONUS PLAN
 
     The Company's Employee Bonus Plan provides all employees of the Company,
other than employees of Laser Data and employees entitled to participate in the
Executive Incentive Plan, with annual incentive cash bonus awards based on
overall Company profitability. The goal of the Employee Bonus Plan is to provide
a financial incentive for employees to achieve the Company's financial goals.
 
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS
 
     The Company is a party to an employment agreement with Patrick L. Edsell
dated January 1, 1991 that provides for the full-time employment of Mr. Edsell
as the Company's President. The agreement had an initial term of three years and
provides for continuing automatic one-year extensions until the agreement is
terminated by either the Company or Mr. Edsell. Mr. Edsell's agreement provides
for an annual salary of $193,000, or such greater amount as may be approved by
the Company's Board of Directors, as well as other benefits. A non-competition
provision requires, for the term of the agreement, that Mr. Edsell not engage
(as a stockholder, with some exceptions, or as an officer, director, employee or
otherwise) in any business that competes directly or indirectly with the
Company. The Company may terminate Mr. Edsell's employment at any time with or
without cause or upon the death or disability of Mr. Edsell. If Mr. Edsell's
employment is terminated by the Company without cause, or as the result of a
change in control after which Mr. Edsell's duties are materially altered, the
agreement requires the Company to make a lump sum payment to Mr. Edsell in an
amount equal to the salary he would have received for the remainder of the
current term (and any renewal term not precluded by a timely termination
notice), as well as to provide health and welfare benefits for the greater of
the remainder of the term or one year. On June 1, 1997, Mr. Edsell and the
Company entered into a letter agreement providing for certain severance and
other benefits. The letter agreement is effective until January 31, 1998 and,
until that date, supersedes the employment agreement described above for those
matters covered by both agreements. Under the letter agreement, if Mr. Edsell is
terminated without cause, the Company shall continue to pay him his monthly
salary (at the time of termination) and provide health and welfare benefits for
two years following the termination, plus an amount equal to twice the
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   47
 
incentive bonus he would have received had he remained employed. The letter
agreement also provides for bonuses to be paid if Mr. Edsell remains an employee
of the Company on January 1, 1998 (one-and-a-half months' salary), if the Lasers
and Optics Group achieves certain operating results during 1997 (one-and-a-half
months' salary) and if an initial public offering of the Company is completed
(three months' salary) within the period.
 
     In addition to the letter agreement entered into with Mr. Edsell described
above, the Company entered into a letter agreement dated June 1, 1997 with each
of Leif A. Alexandersson, George M. Balogh and Shinan S. Sheng. These letter
agreements are similar to the letter agreement with Mr. Edsell but differ in the
amounts of severance and bonuses payable. If the employee under each of the
respective agreements is terminated without cause, the Company shall continue to
pay that employee's monthly salary (at the time of termination) and provide
health and welfare benefits for one year following the termination, plus an
amount equal to the incentive bonus he would have received had he remained
employed. Each letter agreement also provides for a bonus to be paid if the
employee under each of the respective agreements remains an employee of the
Company on January 1, 1998 (one month's salary), if the Company achieves certain
operating results during 1997 (one month's salary) and if an initial public
offering of the Company is completed (two months' salary). Each letter agreement
shall remain in effect until January 31, 1998.
 
     The Company entered into an employment agreement with Dr. Sobey dated May
19, 1995, which was amended on September 19, 1995, that provides that Dr. Sobey
be employed as president of Laser Data. The agreement provides for an annual
salary of $145,600 or such greater amount as the board of directors of Laser
Data may determine. In lieu of standard Laser Data bonus and profit-sharing
benefits, Dr. Sobey was granted certain Laser Data stock options pursuant to the
agreement. See "-- Certain Options to Purchase Laser Data Common Stock." The
agreement further provides that, except for standard Laser Data bonus and
profit-sharing benefits, Dr. Sobey will receive standard Laser Data employee
benefits. The initial term of the agreement ends October 12, 1999, with
automatic and successive one-year extensions unless either party gives notice of
non-renewal. The agreement may be terminated upon Dr. Sobey's death or
disability, and by either party with or without cause. If Laser Data terminates
the agreement without cause or if Dr. Sobey terminates the agreement as a result
of a constructive termination, Laser Data must pay severance equal to 100% of
Dr. Sobey's annual salary at the time of such termination, plus health insurance
benefits for one year.
 
RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN
 
     In 1994, Opto Power granted certain Opto Power employees options to
purchase, in the aggregate, up to 20% of Opto Power common stock outstanding on
a fully diluted basis. In October 1997, the option holders agreed to cancel
their Opto Power options for initial cash payments in the aggregate amount of
approximately $14.7 million, payable upon execution of the agreements, and the
Company's future obligation to issue an aggregate of 370,948 shares of Common
Stock (assuming an initial public offering price of $11.00 per share) upon
completion of the offering ("Restricted Stock"). The foregoing cash payments
were funded through a capital contribution to the Company by Spectra-Physics
USA. The Restricted Stock may not be sold or otherwise transferred except as
follows: 25% of the shares originally received may be transferred beginning six
months following consummation of the offering, and an additional 25% of the
shares becomes transferable every six months thereafter.
 
CERTAIN OPTIONS TO PURCHASE LASER DATA COMMON STOCK
 
     Laser Data has granted certain of its employees options ("Laser Data
Options") to purchase, in the aggregate, up to 20% of Laser Data common stock
then outstanding on a fully diluted basis. Laser Data has granted options to Dr.
Sobey to purchase, in the aggregate, up to 10% of Laser Data common stock then
outstanding on a fully diluted basis. One-half of the Laser Data Options vest
over a period of time beginning on the applicable date of grant and ending
December 31, 1999 and one-half are performance-based options. Laser Data Options
are exercisable, at an exercise price of $.05 per share, from the effective date
of an initial public offering of Laser Data common stock until the earlier of
the first anniversary of such initial public offering or May 1, 2000. If a sale
of control of Laser Data occurs before May 1, 2000, Laser Data must redeem the
Laser Data Options, to the extent vested, by paying their holders the difference
between the exercise price
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   48
 
and the per share value received in the sale of control (unless the acquiror in
the sale of control does not wish such options to be cancelled, in which case
they shall not be redeemed). Subject to certain qualifications, if neither an
initial public offering nor a sale of control occurs before May 1, 2000, Laser
Data must redeem the Laser Data Options by paying their holders the difference,
on a per-share basis, between the exercise price and the fair market value of
Laser Data common stock as determined by Laser Data's board of directors,
provided that the holders of a majority of the Laser Data Options may request an
independent appraisal of the board's valuation.
 
                                       47
<PAGE>   49
 
                             PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDER
 
     As of the date of this Prospectus, all of the shares of the Company's
outstanding Common Stock are beneficially owned by Spectra-Physics AB. After
completion of the offering, Spectra-Physics AB will beneficially own 13,000,000
shares or approximately 82.4% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock
(approximately 80.6% if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in
full). Although none of the Company's directors and executive officers
beneficially own any shares of Common Stock, upon consummation of the offering
they will hold options to purchase Common Stock, none of which are exercisable
within 60 days of the date of this Prospectus. Additionally, upon consummation
of the offering certain employees of the Company will be issued a total of
370,948 shares of Common Stock (assuming an initial public offering price of
$11.00 per share) pursuant to the Restricted Stock Plan Agreements. See
"Management -- 1997 Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc. Stock Option Plan" and
"Management -- Restricted Stock Plan." The mailing address of Spectra-Physics AB
is Sturegatan 32, 4th Floor, Stockholm, Sweden.
 
     Messrs. Alexandersson, Edsell and Karlson own 2,577 shares, 3,600 shares
and 21,000 shares, respectively, of Spectra-Physics AB common stock, which in
each case represents less than one percent of the issued and outstanding common
stock of Spectra-Physics AB.
 
                                       48
<PAGE>   50
 
                     CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND TRANSACTIONS
 
RELATIONSHIP WITH SPECTRA-PHYSICS AB
 
     Prior to the Reorganization, the Company, Opto Power and Laser
Data -- together with various foreign subsidiaries of Spectra-Physics AB that
conducted sales and technical support operations on their behalf -- operated as
a functional group called the Lasers and Optics Group. In preparation for the
offering, it was necessary to reorganize the Lasers and Optics Group so that the
assets and liabilities (including contractual rights and obligations) of the
Lasers and Optics Group were held directly or indirectly by the Company.
Accordingly, pursuant to various agreements entered into prior to the date
hereof, (i) the assets and liabilities of the Lasers and Optics Group not held
by the Company were transferred to the Company and (ii) the assets and
liabilities of the Company not part of the Lasers and Optics Group were
transferred to Spectra-Physics AB's subsidiaries (other than the Company). In
connection with the Reorganization, intercompany receivables and payables were
eliminated.
 
POST-REORGANIZATION AGREEMENTS
 
     In connection with the Reorganization, the Company entered into or will
enter into prior to the offering the following arrangements with Spectra-Physics
AB or its subsidiaries.
 
  Reorganization Agreement; Indemnification
 
     The Company and Spectra-Physics USA entered into an agreement pursuant to
which Spectra-Physics USA received, in the form of a distribution from the
Company, all of the Company's assets not related to the Lasers and Optics Group,
including certain contractual rights of the Company. Under the same agreement,
Spectra-Physics USA assumed all the liabilities not related to the Lasers and
Optics Group or otherwise relating to the assets transferred by way of the
distribution from the Company, including certain contractual obligations of the
Company. The agreement requires SpectraPhysics USA to indemnify the Company and
its officers, directors, employees and agents for all claims (past, present and
future) relating to the liabilities assumed by Spectra-Physics USA under the
agreement. Conversely, the agreement requires the Company to indemnify
Spectra-Physics USA and its affiliates (excluding those in the Lasers and Optics
Group), and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents, for all
claims (past, present and future) against them relating to the businesses or
operations of the Lasers and Optics Group.
 
  Permanova Distribution Agreement
 
     The Company has entered into a distribution agreement with Permanova
Lasersystems AB ("Permanova"), an indirect subsidiary of Spectra-Physics AB and
prior to the Reorganization a member of the Lasers and Optics Group, under which
the Company appointed Permanova as its exclusive representative for the
promotion and sale of certain of the Company's products in Denmark, Norway,
Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Greenland. The agreement provides that Permanova
shall use its best efforts to distribute the Company's products in exchange for
discounts or commissions, depending on the type of sales made. The agreement is
effective until October 5, 2002 unless terminated earlier according to its terms
or extended by mutual agreement. Either party may terminate the agreement at any
time upon 90 days written notice.
 
  Tax Allocation and Tax Indemnification Agreement
 
     The Company is a member of an affiliated group of companies that file
consolidated federal income tax returns. Spectra-Physics USA is the parent of
that affiliated group and is responsible for filing the group's consolidated
returns. The Company has entered into a Tax Allocation and Tax Indemnification
Agreement (the "Tax Agreement") with Spectra-Physics USA. Under the Tax
Agreement, the Company will remit to Spectra-Physics USA federal taxes
determined as if the Company and the Company's U.S. subsidiaries were subject to
tax as a separate consolidated group from and after October 4, 1997. Similar
principles will apply to state income taxes where the Company joins in filing
consolidated, combined or unitary state tax returns with Spectra-Physics USA.
The Tax Agreement requires Spectra-Physics USA to indemnify the Company and its
 
                                       49
<PAGE>   51
 
subsidiaries for any income taxes (and any interest and penalties thereon) of
the Spectra-Physics USA affiliated tax group, except to the extent of any such
amounts required to be paid by the Company under the Tax Agreement.
 
     Though valid between the parties, the Tax Agreement is not binding on the
Internal Revenue Service or other taxing authorities, and it does not eliminate
the right of such authorities to proceed against the Company or any of its
subsidiaries for the collection of any federal or state income taxes with
respect to consolidated federal (and consolidated, combined or unitary state or
local) income tax returns of the Spectra-Physics USA affiliated group (or
members thereof) for periods in which the Company and its subsidiaries are
included.
 
  Tradename and Trademark License Agreement
 
     The Company owns the tradename, trademark and service mark SPECTRA-PHYSICS
and the stylized "S" logotype (collectively, the "Trademarks"), each of which is
registered in the name of the Company with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Prior to the Reorganization, the Trademarks were used by Spectra-Physics AB and
several of its subsidiaries that were not members of the Lasers and Optics
Group. Pursuant to the Reorganization, the Company, Spectra-Physics AB, Spectra
Precision, Inc., a subsidiary of Spectra-Physics AB ("Precision") and one other
subsidiary of Spectra-Physics AB, entered into a Tradename and Trademark License
Agreement (the "Trademark Agreement") which allows Spectra-Physics AB and its
subsidiaries limited rights to use the Trademarks following the Reorganization.
Under the Trademark Agreement, the Company grants Spectra-Physics AB a
non-exclusive, non-transferable, royalty-free worldwide license to use the
Trademarks as part of Spectra-Physics AB's tradename and corporate name. The
license, which allows Spectra-Physics AB to sublicense its rights to its
subsidiaries, does not allow the Trademarks to be used to identify the source or
origin of the goods or services of Spectra-Physics AB (or those of any
sublicensee), except that it does permit such use by Precision and its
subsidiaries for a limited time following the Reorganization. The Trademark
Agreement has an initial term of fifteen years and renews automatically for
successive one-year terms unless terminated by either party before the end of
the then-current term.
 
  Technology License
 
   
     Pursuant to the Reorganization, the Company indirectly transferred to
Precision certain patents relating to technology used by Precision in the
development and manufacture of its products. Precision has granted a
non-exclusive, non-transferable, royalty-free perpetual license to the Company
to use certain of Precision's patents in connection with the Company's current
and future businesses and operations, except that the Company may not use these
patents to make products used in applications in construction, land or
hydrographic surveying, mining, dynamic positioning or agriculture. In addition,
the Company has granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable, royalty-free
perpetual license to Precision to use certain of the Company's patents in
connection with Precision's sale of products used in applications in
construction, land or hydrographic surveying, mining, dynamic positioning or
agriculture.
    
 
  Insurance
 
     So long as Spectra-Physics AB continues to directly or indirectly own 50%
or more of the capital stock of the Company, the Company may, at its election,
be included in Spectra-Physics AB's insurance program. The Company will
reimburse Spectra-Physics AB for any cost attributable to such participation in
Spectra-Physics AB's corporate insurance program.
 
  Benefit Plans
 
     So long as Spectra-Physics AB continues to directly or indirectly own 50%
or more of the capital stock of the Company, the Company may, at its election,
be included in certain of Spectra-Physics AB's benefit programs. The Company
will reimburse Spectra-Physics AB for any cost attributable to such
participation in such benefit programs. The Company expects that the assets
comprising the Company's 401(k) Plan will
 
                                       50
<PAGE>   52
 
continue to be administered separately from defined contribution plans
maintained by other subsidiaries of Spectra-Physics AB.
 
  The Service Agreements
 
     Prior to the Reorganization, certain Spectra-Physics AB subsidiaries
provided to the Company and the Company provided to certain Spectra-Physics AB
subsidiaries, certain administrative support services in connection with their
respective international sales and marketing operations, such as payroll,
accounting and employee benefit services, as well as providing office and
warehouse space. The Company and certain Spectra-Physics AB subsidiaries have
entered into agreements providing for the continued provision of certain of such
services at a cost generally consistent with past charges. The agreements also
provide for the Company to lease from Spectra-Physics AB subsidiaries, and for
Spectra-Physics AB subsidiaries to lease from the Company, the office and
warehouse space each is currently occupying. The leases will, in general, have a
one-year renewable term and will provide for rental payments generally
consistent with past charges.
 
  Registration Rights Agreement
 
   
     The Company has entered into a Registration Rights and Holdback Agreement
dated December 8, 1997 (the "Registration Rights Agreement") with
Spectra-Physics USA granting Spectra-Physics USA certain "demand" and
"piggyback" registration rights.
    
 
     Under the "demand" provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement,
Spectra-Physics USA has the right to require the Company to register under the
Securities Act any (i) shares of Common Stock of the Company held by
Spectra-Physics USA and (ii) shares of Common Stock of the Company issued or
issuable to Spectra-Physics USA by way of a stock dividend, stock split or in
connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation
or other reorganization (collectively, "Registrable Securities"). Under the
"piggyback" provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, if the Company
proposes at any time to register any of its equity securities under the
Securities Act, Spectra-Physics USA may require the Company to register, under
the same registration statement, shares of Registrable Securities held by
Spectra-Physics USA. Such registration rights are subject to certain
limitations, including with respect to piggyback registration rights the ability
of the managing underwriters to limit or exclude certain Registrable Securities
from an offering.
 
   
     The Registration Rights Agreement also includes certain lockup and holdback
provisions. During the lockup period (ending 180 days after consummation of the
offering by the Company), Spectra-Physics USA may not effect any public sale or
distribution of Registrable Securities without the Company's consent, except
pursuant to a piggyback registration as described above. The Company may also
require Spectra-Physics USA not to effect any public sale or distribution of the
Company's Common Stock 10 days before and 90 days after any firm underwritten
offering of such Common Stock. Conversely, for equivalent time periods Spectra-
Physics USA may require the Company not to effect any public sale or
distribution of the Company's Common Stock if Spectra-Physics USA enters into a
firm underwritten offering of shares of Registrable Securities.
    
 
  Accounting for Certain Past Transactions Between the Company and
Spectra-Physics AB
 
     The administrative costs of Spectra-Physics AB which were indirectly
attributable to the Company have not been historically charged to the Company.
They have, however, been allocated to the Company in the Consolidated Financial
Statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus based on actual amounts
incurred by Spectra-Physics AB on behalf of the Company or agreed-upon amounts
or percentages based on number of employees and sales. As shown on the
Consolidated Statement of Operations, "Corporate overhead allocation" consisted
of approximately $283,000, $328,000, $328,000 and $246,000 in 1994, 1995 and
1996, and for the nine months ended September 30, 1997, respectively.
 
                                       51
<PAGE>   53
 
OTHER
 
     The Company and Mr. Karlson, a director of the Company, are parties to a
consulting agreement dated June 4, 1993 whereby Mr. Karlson provides consulting
and advisory services to the Company on a daily fixed fee basis. Pursuant to the
agreement, Mr. Karlson is also entitled to reimbursement of out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in connection with his provision of consulting services to the
Company. In 1994, 1995 and 1996 and for the nine-month period ended September
30, 1997, the Company incurred fees payable to Mr. Karlson of $48,201, $70,510,
$112,464 and $102,685, respectively, for consulting services rendered to the
Company.
 
                                       52
<PAGE>   54
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
     The Company's authorized capital stock consists of 60,000,000 shares of
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), and 10,000,000
shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Preferred Stock").
Upon completion of the offering, 15,770,948 shares of Common Stock (assuming an
initial public offering price of $11.00 per share) will be outstanding. No
shares of Preferred Stock are issued or outstanding. The Company expects to
reserve 2,252,993 shares of Common Stock (assuming the Underwriters'
overallotment option is not exercised) for issuance upon the exercise of options
under the 1997 Plan and 370,948 shares of Common Stock (assuming an initial
public offering price of $11.00 per share) for issuance pursuant to the
Restricted Stock Agreements.
 
     The following description of the capital stock of the Company does not
purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation, which has been filed as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters
on which holders of Common Stock are entitled to vote under the DGCL and have no
cumulative voting rights. Holders of Common Stock do not have the preemptive
right to subscribe for shares of Common Stock issued by the Company, nor do they
have any redemptive rights.
 
     Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of
Common Stock of the Company are entitled to a pro rata share of the distribution
of assets remaining after the payment of debts and expenses and after payment of
the liquidation preference accorded to the holders of any Preferred Stock of the
Company which may be issued in the future. Each share of Common Stock has the
same rights, privileges and preferences as every other share of Common Stock.
 
     The holders of the Company's Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in
dividends declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available
therefor. The Company does not expect to declare or pay cash dividends to
holders of Common Stock in the foreseeable future.
 
   
     The Common Stock has been approved for quotation on the Nasdaq National
Market under the symbol "SPLI."
    
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The Board of Directors has the authority, without further action by the
stockholders, to issue 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock in one or more
classes or series and to fix the voting powers, designations, preferences, and
relative, participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications,
limitations and restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, conversion
rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, and the
number of shares constituting any class or series. The ability of the Board of
Directors to issue Preferred Stock, while providing flexibility in connection
with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could have the effect
of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or discouraging a
third party from acquiring, a majority of the outstanding voting stock of the
Company. The Board of Director's ability to establish the preferences and rights
of the shares of any such class or series of Preferred Stock may also afford
holders of any Preferred Stock preferences, powers and rights (including voting
rights), senior to the rights of holders of Common Stock. The Company has no
present plans to issue any shares of Preferred Stock. See "Risk
Factors -- Certain Anti-Takeover Matters; Possible Issuance of Preferred Stock."
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
   
     In connection with the offering, Spectra-Physics USA entered into a
Registration Rights Agreement with the Company granting it certain "demand" and
"piggyback" registration rights. See "Certain Relationships and
Transactions -- Relationship with Spectra-Physics AB -- Registration Rights."
    
 
                                       53
<PAGE>   55
 
ANTI-TAKEOVER MATTERS
 
     In addition to the blank check Preferred Stock, the Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company contain other provisions that are
commonly considered to have an anti-takeover effect. Under the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, the directors may enlarge the size of
the Board and fill any vacancies on the Board. The Company's Bylaws provide that
nominations for directors may not be made by stockholders at any annual meeting
unless the stockholder intending to make a nomination notifies the Company of
its intention between 60 and 90 days in advance and furnishes certain
information. See "Risk Factors -- Certain Anti-Takeover Matters; Possible
Issuance of Preferred Stock."
 
DELAWARE ANTI-TAKEOVER LAW
 
     Section 203 of the DGCL provides, with certain exceptions, that a Delaware
corporation may not engage in certain business combinations with a person or
affiliate or associate of such person who is an "interested stockholder" for a
period of three years from the date such person became an interested stockholder
unless (i) the transaction resulting in the acquiring person's becoming an
interested stockholder, or the business combination, is approved by the board of
directors of the corporation before the person becomes an interested
stockholder; (ii) the interested stockholder acquires at least 85% of the voting
stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced,
excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those
shares owned (a) by persons who are directors and also officers and (b) employee
stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine
confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a
tender or exchange offer; or (iii) on or after the date the person becomes an
interested stockholder, the business combination is approved by the
corporation's board of directors and by the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the
corporation's outstanding voting stock at an annual or special meeting,
excluding shares owned by the interested stockholder. An "interested
stockholder" is defined as any person that is (x) the owner of 15% or more of
the outstanding voting stock of the corporation or (y) an affiliate or associate
of the corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting
stock at any time within the three year period immediately prior to the date on
which it is sought to be determined whether such person is an interested
stockholder. A Delaware corporation, pursuant to a provision on its certificate
of incorporation or bylaws, may elect not to be governed by Section 203. The
Company has not made such an election and, as a result, the Company will be
subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL upon consummation of the
offering. See "Risk Factors -- Certain Anti-Takeover Matters; Possible Issuance
of Preferred Stock."
 
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
 
     As permitted by the DGCL, the Company's Certificate of Incorporation
provides that directors of the Company shall not be personally liable to the
Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as
a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of
loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in
good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of
law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, relating to prohibited dividends or
distributions or the repurchase or redemption of stock, or (iv) for any
transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit. In
addition, the Company's Bylaws provide for indemnification of the Company's
officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may
be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Company pursuant
to the foregoing provisions, the Company has been informed that in the opinion
of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore
unenforceable.
 
     The Company intends to obtain directors' and officers' liability insurance
prior to consummation of the offering.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
     The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is Boston Equiserve
Limited Partnership.
 
                                       54
<PAGE>   56
 
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
     Prior to this offering, there has been no market for the Common Stock. No
predictions can be made with respect to the effect, if any, that public sales of
shares of the Common Stock or the availability of shares for sale will have on
the market price of the Common Stock after the offering. Sales of substantial
amounts of the Common Stock in the public market following the offering, or the
perception that sales may occur, could adversely affect the market price of the
Common Stock or the ability of the Company to raise capital through a sale of
its equity securities.
 
     Upon completion of the offering, 15,770,948 shares (assuming an initial
public offering price of $11.00 per share) of the Company's Common Stock will be
outstanding. The 2,400,000 shares of Common Stock sold in the offering
(2,760,000 shares if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in
full) will be freely tradeable without restriction or further registration under
the Securities Act, unless acquired by affiliates of the Company. All remaining
outstanding shares of Common Stock may not be sold unless registered under the
Securities Act or sold in accordance with an exemption therefrom, such as Rule
144 thereunder. Subject to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, the
Company has agreed, upon the request of Spectra-Physics USA, to register under
the Securities Act the shares of Common Stock owned by Spectra-Physics USA. See
"Certain Relationships and Transactions -- Relationship with Spectra-Physics
AB."
 
     The Company and Spectra-Physics USA have agreed not to offer, sell or
otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock, other than the shares subject
to the Underwriters' over-allotment option and except pursuant to any existing
employee benefit plans for a period of 180 days after the date of this
Prospectus without the prior written consent of NationsBanc Montgomery
Securities, Inc. At the time of the offering, the Company intends to grant under
the 1997 Plan options to purchase 2,158,645 shares of Common Stock of the
Company. Following the closing of the offering, the Company intends to register
the shares of Common Stock issued or reserved for issuance under to the 1997
Plan under the Securities Act pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-8.
See "Management -- 1997 Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc. Stock Option Plan." Upon
completion of the offering, the Company intends to issue 370,948 shares
(assuming an initial public offering price of $11.00 per share) of Common Stock
to certain employees pursuant to Restricted Stock Plan Agreements as partial
consideration for the cancellation of certain Opto Power stock options. These
shares will be subject to certain restrictions on transfer. The Company intends
to register these shares for resale pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form
S-8. See "Management -- Restricted Stock Plan."
 
     In general, Rule 144 will permit an affiliate or a person who has held
restricted shares for more than one year to sell within any three-month period a
number of shares that does not exceed the greater of 1% of the then outstanding
shares of Common Stock (approximately 157,700 shares after consummation of the
offering) or the average weekly trading volume of such stock during the four
calendar weeks preceding such sale, provided that the Company has either filed
certain periodic reports with the Commission or made publicly available certain
information concerning it and provided that such sales are made in normal
"brokers' transactions" or in transactions directly with a "market maker"
without the solicitation of buy orders by the brokers or such affiliates. A
person who is deemed not to be an affiliate of the Company at any time during
the three months preceding a sale and who has held restricted shares for more
than two years may sell such shares under Rule 144 without regard to the volume
limitations described.
 
                                       55
<PAGE>   57
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     The underwriters named below (the "Underwriters"), represented by
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities, Inc. and Cowen & Company (the
"Representatives"), have severally agreed, subject to the terms and conditions
set forth in the Underwriting Agreement, to purchase from the Company the number
of shares of Common Stock indicated below opposite their respective names at the
initial public offering price less the underwriting discount set forth on the
cover page of this Prospectus. The Underwriting Agreement provides that the
obligations of the Underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent and
that the Underwriters are committed to purchase all of such shares, if any are
purchased.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 NUMBER
                                   UNDERWRITERS                                 OF SHARES
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------
    <S>                                                                         <C>
    NationsBanc Montgomery Securities, Inc....................................
    Cowen & Company...........................................................
 
                                                                                ---------
              Total...........................................................  2,400,000
                                                                                =========
</TABLE>
 
     The Representatives have advised the Company that the Underwriters
initially propose to offer the Common Stock to the public on the terms set forth
on the cover page of this Prospectus. The Underwriters may offer to selected
dealers a concession of not more than $     per share; and the Underwriters may
allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession of not more than $     per
share to certain other dealers. After the initial public offering, the offering
price and other selling terms may be changed by the Representatives. The Common
Stock is offered subject to receipt and acceptance by the Underwriters, and to
certain other conditions, including the right to reject orders in whole or in
part.
 
     The Company has granted an option to the Underwriters, exercisable for 30
calendar days after the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to a maximum of
360,000 additional shares of Common Stock, solely to cover over-allotments. If
the Underwriters exercise this over-allotment option, the Underwriters have
severally agreed, subject to certain conditions, to purchase approximately the
same percentage thereof that the number of shares to be purchased by each of
them, as shown in the foregoing table, bears to the 2,400,000 shares of Common
Stock offered hereby. The Underwriters may exercise such option only to cover
over-allotments made in connection with the sale of the 2,400,000 shares of
Common Stock.
 
     The Company and Spectra-Physics USA have agreed not to offer, sell,
contract to sell or dispose of any shares of Common Stock or any securities
convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of Common Stock for a period of
180 days after the date of this Prospectus without the prior written consent of
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities, Inc., except for securities issued pursuant
to its stock option plans and Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Restricted
Stock Plan Agreements. NationsBanc Montgomery Securities, Inc. may, in its sole
discretion and at any time without notice, release all or any portion of the
securities subject to these lock-up agreements.
 
     The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Company will indemnify the
several Underwriters and their officers, directors and affiliates against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
     The Representatives have advised the Company that it does not intend to
confirm sales to discretionary accounts by the Underwriters in excess of 5% of
the total number of shares of Common Stock offered by them.
 
     Until the distribution of the Common Stock is completed, rules of the
Commission may limit the ability of the Underwriters and certain selling group
members to bid for and purchase the Common Stock. As an
 
                                       56
<PAGE>   58
 
exception to these rules, the Representatives are permitted to engage in certain
transactions that stabilize the price of the Common Stock. Such transactions
consist of bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining
the price of the Common Stock.
 
     If the Underwriters create a short position in the Common Stock in
connection with the offering, i.e., if they sell more shares of Common Stock
than are set forth on the cover of this Prospectus, the Representatives may
reduce that short position by purchasing Common Stock on the Nasdaq National
Market or otherwise. The Representatives may also elect to reduce any short
position by exercising all or part of the over-allotment option described above.
 
     The Representatives may also impose a penalty bid on certain Underwriters
and selling group members. This means that if the Representatives purchase
shares of Common Stock in the open market to reduce the Underwriters' short
position or to stabilize the price of the Common Stock, they may reclaim the
amount of the selling concession from the Underwriters and selling group members
who sold those shares as part of the offering.
 
     In general, purchases of a security for the purpose of stabilization or to
reduce a short position could cause the price of the security to be higher than
it might be in the absence of such purchases. The imposition of a penalty bid
might also have an effect on the price of a security to the extent that it were
to discourage resales of the security.
 
     Neither the Company nor any of the Underwriters makes any representation or
predictions as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions
described above may have on the price of the Common Stock. In addition, neither
the Company nor any of the Underwriters makes any representation that the
Representatives will engage in such transactions or that such transactions, once
commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
 
     Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the Common
Stock. The initial public offering price was negotiated between the Company and
the Representatives. Among the factors considered in determining the initial
public offering price of the Common Stock, in addition to prevailing market
conditions, are the Company's historical performance, estimates of the business
potential and earnings prospects of the Company, an assessment of the Company's
management and the consideration of the above factors in relation to market
valuation of companies in related businesses.
 
     The Underwriters have reserved for sale at the initial public offering
price, approximately 120,000 shares to employees, directors and affiliates of
the Company as such persons have expressed an interest in purchasing such shares
of Common Stock in the offering. The number of shares available for sale to the
general public will be reduced to the extent such persons purchase such reserved
shares. Any reserved shares not so purchased will be offered by the Underwriters
to the general public on the same basis as the other shares offered hereby.
 
     NationsBanc Montgomery Securities, Inc. has performed investment banking
services for the Company from time to time for which it received customary fees.
In connection with such services, the Company agreed to indemnify NationsBanc
Montgomery Securities, Inc. with respect to certain matters.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the Company by Dechert Price
& Rhoads, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and for the Underwriters by Wilson Sonsini
Goodrich & Rosati, P.C., Palo Alto, California.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 1995 and
1996 and September 30, 1997 and the consolidated statements of operations, cash
flows and parent equity (deficit) for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1996 and the nine months ended September 30, 1997, included
in this
 
                                       57
<PAGE>   59
 
Prospectus, have been included herein in reliance on the report of Coopers &
Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants, given on the authority of that firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
     The Company has filed a Registration Statement with the Commission under
the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered by this Prospectus.
This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with
the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further information with
respect to the Company and the offering, reference is made to the Registration
Statement, including the exhibits filed therewith, which may be inspected
without charge at the Commission's principal office at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of the Registration Statement may be obtained
from the Commission at its principal office upon payment of prescribed fees.
Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or
other document are not necessarily complete and, where the contract or other
document has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such
statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the applicable document
filed with the Commission.
 
     As a result of the offering, the Company will be subject to the
informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and in accordance therewith will file reports and other information with the
Commission. Such reports and other information, when filed, can be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's regional
offices located at Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York,
10048 and Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661. Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public
Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission maintains a web site
(http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and
other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the
Commission.
 
     The Company intends to furnish its stockholders with annual reports
containing audited financial statements and notes thereto, together with an
opinion thereon expressed by an independent public accounting firm, and
quarterly reports containing unaudited financial statements for the first three
quarters of each fiscal year.
 
                                       58
<PAGE>   60
 
                                    GLOSSARY
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                  <C>
AlGaAs.............................  aluminum gallium arsenide, a semiconductor material for
                                     near infrared semiconductor lasers (700 nm-900 nm).
CW.................................  continuous wave, indicates the amplitude of a wave
                                     (e.g., laser beam) is constant and not changing in time.
DRAM...............................  dynamic random access memory. A type of volatile memory
                                     product that is used in electronic systems to store data
                                     and program instructions. It is the most common type of
                                     RAM and must be refreshed with electricity thousands of
                                     times per second or else its memory will fade away.
HPSL...............................  high power semiconductor laser, semiconductor laser that
                                     has an output power greater than 0.5W.
J..................................  Joule, an energy measurement unit: one calorie equals
                                     4.18 Joules.
kHz................................  kilo-Hertz, one thousand Hertz, a frequency measurement
                                     unit that equals one thousand cycles per second.
mJ.................................  milli-Joule, one thousandth of a Joule.
monochromaticity...................  literally means "one color", describes a state of high
                                     color purity or a very narrow spectral bandwidth of
                                     emitted light; a laser is the only light source capable
                                     of achieving such a state.
MRI................................  magnetic resonance imaging.
mW.................................  milli-Watt, one-thousandth of a Watt.
nm.................................  nanometer, a unit of length that equals one-billionth of
                                     a meter, commonly used in optical wavelength
                                     descriptions; for example, green light is about 520 nm.
OEM................................  original equipment manufacturer.
OPO................................  optical parametric oscillator, an optical system
                                     designed to generate a broad range of wavelengths from a
                                     single laser source.
QMAD...............................  quiet multi-axial-mode doubling, a Spectra-Physics
                                     patented invention which solves the fundamental chaos
                                     problem encountered in intra-cavity second harmonic
                                     generation, or doubling, with a design that
                                     intentionally incorporates many (>100) axial modes to
                                     achieve ultra quiet laser output; technology
                                     incorporated in Spectra-Physics' Millennia SLPSS high
                                     power green lasers.
PC.................................  personal computer.
SLPSS..............................  semiconductor laser pumped solid state.
semiconductor-based lasers.........  semiconductor lasers and SLPSS lasers.
SRAM...............................  static random access memory. A type of volatile memory
                                     product that is used in electronic systems to store data
                                     and program instructions. Unlike the more common DRAM,
                                     it does not need to be refreshed.
Ti:Saph............................  titanium doped sapphire, a crystal used as a gain medium
                                     in a laser, capable of broad tunability and ultra-short
                                     pulse generation.
(LOGO)m............................  micrometer; a unit of length that equals one millionth
                                     of a meter.
UV.................................  ultra violet
W..................................  Watt, a power measurement unit, equals a rate of energy
                                     of one Joule per second.
YAG................................  yttrium aluminum garnet, a crystal that serves as the
                                     host for an array of atom species that are capable of
                                     lasing in the near infrared. The most notable example,
                                     the neodymium doped version, Nd:YAG, is one of the major
                                     crystalline materials in either 1amp-pumped or SLPSS
                                     laser systems.
</TABLE>
 
                                       G-1
<PAGE>   61
 
                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PAGE
                                                                                        -----
<S>                                                                                     <C>
Report of Independent Accountants...................................................     F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheet..........................................................     F-3
Consolidated Statement of Operations................................................     F-4
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows................................................     F-5
Consolidated Statement of Parent Equity (Deficit)...................................     F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..........................................     F-7
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-1
<PAGE>   62
 
                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholder
Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc.
 
     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of
Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc. as of December 31, 1995 and 1996 and September 30,
1997, and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows, and
parent equity (deficit) for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1996 and the nine month period ended September 30, 1997. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Spectra-Physics
Lasers, Inc. as of December 31, 1995 and 1996 and September 30, 1997, and the
consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1996 and the nine month period
ended September 30, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
                                          Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
 
San Jose, California
October 18, 1997, except
for Notes 11 and 12, for which
the date is October 22, 1997
 
                                       F-2
<PAGE>   63
 
                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
          (AN INDIRECT WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF SPECTRA-PHYSICS AB)
 
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              AS OF SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                                      1997
                                                        AS OF DECEMBER 31,    --------------------
                                                        -------------------              PRO-FORMA
                                                          1995       1996      ACTUAL    UNAUDITED
                                                        --------   --------   --------   ---------
<S>                                                     <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash................................................  $  1,042   $  2,531   $  1,283   $   3,626
  Accounts receivable, including $288, $366, and $0,
     respectively, due from affiliated companies, less
     allowance for doubtful accounts of $328, $361,
     and $730, respectively...........................    33,667     37,952     34,176      34,176
  Inventories.........................................    22,705     21,809     27,414      27,414
  Deferred tax assets.................................        --         --     14,519      14,519
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets...........       963      1,726      1,465       1,869
                                                        --------   --------   ---------  ---------
          Total current assets........................    58,377     64,018     78,857      81,604
Property, plant and equipment, net....................    19,831     20,651     22,944      23,983
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of
  $1,587, $1,772, and $1,864, respectively............     1,295      1,110      1,018       1,018
Other assets..........................................     1,188      1,069      1,115       1,971
                                                        --------   --------   ---------  ---------
          Total assets................................  $ 80,691   $ 86,848   $103,934   $ 108,576
                                                        ========   ========   =========  =========
LIABILITIES AND PARENT EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable, including $175, $0, and $0,
     respectively, due to affiliates..................  $  8,207   $  8,128   $  8,253   $  14,066
  Taxes payable.......................................       105        573      2,037       2,037
  Interest due to SPAB................................     2,872      4,062      2,002          --
  Accrued and other current liabilities...............    16,920     23,724     37,094      19,362
                                                        --------   --------   ---------  ---------
          Total current liabilities...................    28,104     36,487     49,386      35,465
Long-term liabilities:
  Loans and advances from SPAB........................    67,078     69,698     71,756          --
  Other long-term liabilities.........................     1,989      1,886      1,533       1,665
                                                        --------   --------   ---------  ---------
          Total long-term liabilities.................    69,067     71,584     73,289       1,665
 
Commitments and contingencies
 
Parent equity (deficit)...............................   (16,480)   (21,223)   (18,741)     71,446
                                                        --------   --------   ---------  ---------
          Total liabilities and Parent equity
            (deficit).................................  $ 80,691   $ 86,848   $103,934   $ 108,576
                                                        ========   ========   =========  =========
</TABLE>
 
                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
                                       F-3
<PAGE>   64
 
                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
          (AN INDIRECT WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF SPECTRA-PHYSICS AB)
 
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,            NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                     -----------------------------------------   --------------------------------
                                      1994       1995       1996       1996        1996        1997       1997
                                     -------   --------   --------   ---------   ---------   --------   ---------
                                                                     PRO-FORMA   UNAUDITED              PRO-FORMA
                                                                     UNAUDITED                          UNAUDITED
<S>                                  <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>
Net sales..........................  $95,123   $112,527   $135,434   $135,434     $90,415    $113,061   $113,061
Cost of products sold..............   62,482     73,040     88,320     88,320      59,584      71,178     71,178
                                     -------   --------   --------   --------     -------    --------   --------
  Gross margin.....................   32,641     39,487     47,114     47,114      30,831      41,883     41,883
Operating expenses:
  Research and development.........    7,788      7,933     12,005     12,005       8,571      10,857     10,857
  Selling, general and
    administrative.................   24,812     27,848     28,966     28,966      20,755      23,555     23,555
  Other............................       --      1,863      6,915      6,915       4,762      16,157     16,157
                                     -------   --------   --------   --------     -------    --------   --------
         Total operating
           expenses................   32,600     37,644     47,886     47,886      34,088      50,569     50,569
                                     -------   --------   --------   --------     -------    --------   --------
         Operating income (loss)...       41      1,843       (772)      (772)     (3,257)     (8,686)    (8,686) 
Other income (expense):
  Interest expense.................   (3,492)    (4,590)    (5,374)        --      (3,940)     (3,930)        --
  Foreign currency gain (loss).....   (1,439)     1,046      2,532      2,532       1,832       2,566      2,566
  Legal settlement.................       --         --         --         --          --      17,010     17,010
                                     -------   --------   --------   --------     -------    --------   --------
         Total other income
           (expense)...............   (4,931)    (3,544)    (2,842)     2,532      (2,108)     15,646     19,576
                                     -------   --------   --------   --------     -------    --------   --------
         Income (loss) before
           income taxes............   (4,890)    (1,701)    (3,614)     1,760      (5,365)      6,960     10,890
Income tax expense (benefit).......  311....        318        634        634          17     (23,272)   (21,743) 
                                     -------   --------   --------   --------     -------    --------   --------
         Net income (loss).........  $(5,201)  $ (2,019)  $ (4,248)  $  1,126     $(5,382)   $ 30,232   $ 32,633
                                     =======   ========   ========   ========     =======    ========   ========
Pro forma net income (loss) per
  share............................                       $  (0.33)  $   0.09                $   2.33   $   2.51
                                                          ========   ========                ========   ========
Shares used in computing pro forma
  net income (loss) per share......                         13,000     13,000                  13,000     13,000
                                                          ========   ========                ========   ========
</TABLE>
    
 
                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
                                       F-4
<PAGE>   65
 
                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
          (AN INDIRECT WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF SPECTRA-PHYSICS AB)
 
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,           SEPTEMBER 30,
                                              -----------------------------    ---------------------
                                               1994       1995       1996                     1997
                                              -------    -------    -------      1996       --------
                                                                               ---------
                                                                               UNAUDITED
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)...........................  $(5,201)   $(2,019)   $(4,248)    $(5,382)    $ 30,232
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss)
  to cash provided by (used in) operating
  activities:
  Depreciation and amortization.............    4,274      3,729      4,420       3,268        3,521
  Deferred tax assets.......................       --         --         --          --      (14,519)
  Non-cash sales............................     (489)        --         --          --           --
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
  Accounts receivable.......................   (1,021)    (7,034)    (4,285)      3,922        3,776
  Inventories...............................     (430)    (3,632)       896      (4,156)      (5,605)
  Prepaid expenses and other current
     assets.................................     (387)       493       (763)       (369)         261
  Accounts payable..........................        4      2,058        (79)     (1,849)         125
  Accrued and other current liabilities.....    1,726      3,772      8,359       3,275       12,421
                                               ------     ------     ------     -------       ------
     Total cash provided by (used in)
       operating activities.................   (1,524)    (2,633)     4,300      (1,291)      30,212
                                               ------     ------     ------     -------       ------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, plant and
  equipment.................................   (1,832)    (8,093)    (5,055)     (3,715)      (5,722)
Other.......................................      126          4        103          86          (53)
                                               ------     ------     ------     -------       ------
     Total cash provided by (used in)
       investing activities.................   (1,706)    (8,089)    (4,952)     (3,629)      (5,775)
                                               ------     ------     ------     -------       ------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net transfers (to) from SPAB................    1,674        (92)      (479)      1,672      (27,743)
Changes in loans and advances from SPAB.....    1,403     11,078      2,620       3,832        2,058
                                               ------     ------     ------     -------       ------
     Total cash provided by (used in)
       financing activities.................    3,077     10,986      2,141       5,504      (25,685)
                                               ------     ------     ------     -------       ------
     Increase (decrease) in cash............     (153)       264      1,489         584       (1,248)
Cash at beginning of period.................      931        778      1,042       1,042        2,531
                                               ------     ------     ------     -------       ------
Cash at end of period.......................  $   778    $ 1,042    $ 2,531     $ 1,626     $  1,283
                                               ======     ======     ======     =======       ======
 
NON-CASH FINANCING AND INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Sale of building for a note...............  $ 1,186
                                               ======
</TABLE>
 
                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
                                       F-5
<PAGE>   66
 
                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
          (AN INDIRECT WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF SPECTRA-PHYSICS AB)
 
               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PARENT EQUITY (DEFICIT)
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       NINE MONTHS
                                                    YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,              ENDED
                                               ----------------------------------     SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                 1994         1995         1996           1997
                                               --------     --------     --------     -------------
<S>                                            <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Balance at Beginning of Period...............  $(10,823)    $(14,348)    $(16,480)      $ (21,223)
  Net income (loss)..........................    (5,201)      (2,019)      (4,248)         30,232
  Net transfers (to) from SPAB...............     1,674          (92)        (479)        (27,743)
  Foreign currency translation...............         2          (21)         (16)             (7)
                                               --------     --------     --------        --------
Balance at End of Period.....................  $(14,348)    $(16,480)    $(21,223)      $ (18,741)
                                               ========     ========     ========        ========
</TABLE>
 
                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
                                       F-6
<PAGE>   67
 
                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
          (AN INDIRECT WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF SPECTRA-PHYSICS AB)
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND THE PRO FORMA
                           INFORMATION IS UNAUDITED)
 
1. BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
     Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc. (the "Company") designs, develops,
manufactures and distributes lasers and laser systems for the industrial,
original equipment manufacturer (OEM), and research and development markets.
 
   
     Prior to the Reorganization referred to below, Spectra-Physics Lasers, Opto
Power Corporation, and Spectra-Physics Laser Data Systems, Inc., together with
various foreign subsidiaries of Spectra-Physics AB that conducted sales and
technical support operations on their behalf, were operated as a functional
group called the Lasers and Optics Group. In preparation for its initial public
offering (the "Offering") the Company was reorganized so that the assets and
liabilities (including contractual rights and obligations) of the Lasers and
Optics Group were held directly or indirectly by the Company. Accordingly,
pursuant to various agreements (i) the assets and liabilities of the Lasers and
Optics Group not held by the Company were transferred to the Company and (ii)
the assets and liabilities of the Company not part of the Lasers and Optics
Group were transferred to SPAB's subsidiaries (other than the Company and its
subsidiaries.) In connection with the Reorganization, intercompany receivables
and payables were eliminated. Unless specified otherwise, SPAB refers to
Spectra-Physics AB and/or affiliates of Spectra-Physics AB (other than the
Company and its subsidiaries). All entities involved in the reorganization were
direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of SPAB.
    
 
   
     The accompanying consolidated financial statements include Spectra-Physics
Lasers, Opto Power Corporation, Spectra-Physics Laser Data Systems, Inc. and the
various foreign subsidiaries of SPAB that conducted sales and technical support
operations on their behalf and reflect the financial position, results of
operations, and cash flows of the Company as if it were a separate entity for
each period presented. The accompanying financial statements do not include
assets and liabilities not part of the Laser and Optics Group. These assets were
transferred to SPAB. The reorganization described above has been accounted for
as a transfer between entities under common control in a manner similar to a
pooling of interests.
    
 
     The consolidated financial statements include allocations of certain SPAB
corporate and group expenses (including cash management and treasury, legal,
employee benefits, insurance, income taxes and corporate overhead services)
relating to the Company's businesses. Management believes these allocations are
reasonable. However, the financial information included herein may not
necessarily reflect the consolidated financial position, results of operations,
and cash flows of the Company in the future or what they would have been had the
Company been a separate entity during the periods presented.
 
     In connection with the Reorganization, the Company entered into, or is
expected to enter into, several agreements with SPAB that provide for (1)
certain tax sharing matters, (2) registration rights in favor of Spectra Physics
USA, (3) the use of the Spectra Physics name and trademark, (4) cross licensing
of certain patents, (5) certain distribution arrangements, and (6) various
indemnification arrangements. In addition, certain subsidiaries of the Company
and certain subsidiaries of SPAB entered into agreements providing for the
continuation of certain ongoing service and facilities leasing arrangements.
 
   
     The unaudited pro forma balance sheet at September 30, 1997 and statement
of operations for the year ended December 31, 1996, and the nine months ended
September 30, 1997, give effect to the: (1) conversion to equity of amounts due
by the Company to SPAB for loans, advances and accrued interest; (2) removal of
interest expense related to such loans and advances; (3) contribution to equity
of the Company by SPAB of certain net assets related to foreign holding
companies of SPAB and cash to settle certain net liabilities of the holding
companies; (4) settlement of certain employee stock options for cash and equity
and the contribution to equity by SPAB the cash used for such settlement; and
(5) related impact of income taxes. The unaudited pro forma balance sheet was
prepared assuming that the transactions had occurred on September 30, 1997 and
the unaudited pro forma statements of operations were prepared assuming the
transactions occurred on January 1, 1996.
    
 
                                       F-7
<PAGE>   68
 
                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
          (AN INDIRECT WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF SPECTRA-PHYSICS AB)
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND THE PRO FORMA
                           INFORMATION IS UNAUDITED)
 
Unaudited pro forma balance sheet:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                                                             -------------------------------------------
                                                                                           (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                                              PRO FORMA
                                                                              COMPANY        PRO FORMA        FINANCIAL
                                                                             HISTORICAL     ADJUSTMENTS       STATEMENT
                                                                             ----------     -----------       ----------
<S>                                                                          <C>            <C>               <C>
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash.......................................................................  $    1,283     $     2,343(1)    $    3,626
Accounts receivable........................................................      34,176                           34,176
Inventories................................................................      27,414                           27,414
Deferred tax assets........................................................      14,519                           14,519
Prepaid expenses and other current assets..................................       1,465             404(1)         1,869
                                                                               --------        --------         --------
    Total current assets...................................................      78,857           2,747(1)        81,604
Property, plant and equipment, net.........................................      22,944           1,039(1)        23,983
Intangible assets..........................................................       1,018                            1,018
Other assets...............................................................       1,115             856(1)         1,971
                                                                               --------        --------         --------
    Total assets...........................................................  $  103,934     $     4,642       $  108,576
                                                                               ========        ========         ========
LIABILITIES AND PARENT EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable...........................................................  $    8,253     $     5,813(1)    $   14,066
Taxes payable..............................................................       2,037                            2,037
Interest due to SPAB.......................................................       2,002          (2,002)(3)           --
Accrued and other current liabilities......................................      37,094           1,368(1)        19,362
                                                                                                (19,100)(2)
                                                                               --------        --------         --------
    Total current liabilities..............................................      49,386         (13,921)          35,465
Long-term liabilities:
Loans and advances from SPAB...............................................      71,756         (71,756)(3)           --
Other long-term liabilities................................................       1,533             132(1)         1,665
                                                                               --------        --------         --------
    Total long-term liabilities............................................      73,289         (71,624)           1,665
Parent equity (deficit)....................................................     (18,741)         (2,671)(1)       71,446
                                                                                                 19,100(2)
                                                                                                 73,758(3)
                                                                               --------        --------         --------
    Total liabilities and Parent Equity (deficit)..........................  $  103,934     $     4,642       $  108,576
                                                                               ========        ========         ========
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       F-8
<PAGE>   69
 
                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
          (AN INDIRECT WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF SPECTRA-PHYSICS AB)
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND THE PRO FORMA
                           INFORMATION IS UNAUDITED)
 
Unaudited pro forma statement of operations:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                         ----------------------------------------
                                                                                        NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                                                                      ----------------------------------------
                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
                                                                       PRO FORMA                                    PRO FORMA
                                          COMPANY      PRO FORMA       FINANCIAL       COMPANY      PRO FORMA       FINANCIAL
                                         HISTORICAL   ADJUSTMENTS      STATEMENT      HISTORICAL   ADJUSTMENTS      STATEMENT
                                         ----------   -----------      ----------     ----------   -----------      ----------
<S>                                      <C>          <C>              <C>            <C>          <C>              <C>
Net sales..............................  $  135,434   $                $  135,434     $  113,061   $                $  113,061
Cost of products sold..................      88,320                        88,320         71,178                        71,178
                                           --------       -------        --------       --------      --------        --------
    Gross margin.......................      47,114                        47,114         41,883                        41,883
Operating expenses:
Research and development...............      12,005                        12,005         10,857                        10,857
Selling, general and administrative....      28,966                        28,966         23,555                        23,555
Other..................................       6,915                         6,915         16,157                        16,157
                                           --------       -------        --------       --------      --------        --------
    Total operating expenses...........      47,886                        47,886         50,569                        50,569
                                           --------       -------        --------       --------      --------        --------
    Operating income (loss)............        (772)                         (772)        (8,686)                       (8,686)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense.......................      (5,374)        5,374(4)           --         (3,930)        3,930(4)           --
Foreign currency gain (loss)...........       2,532                         2,532          2,566                         2,566
Legal settlement.......................          --                            --         17,010                        17,010
                                           --------       -------        --------       --------      --------        --------
    Total other income (expense).......      (2,842)        5,374           2,532         15,646         3,930          19,576
                                           --------       -------        --------       --------      --------        --------
    Income (loss) before income
      taxes............................      (3,614)        5,374           1,760          6,960         3,930          10,890
Income tax expense (benefit)...........         634            --(5)          634        (23,272)        1,529(5)      (21,743)
                                           --------       -------        --------       --------      --------        --------
Net income (loss)......................  $   (4,248)  $     5,374      $    1,126     $   30,232   $     2,401      $   32,633
                                           ========       =======        ========       ========      ========        ========
Pro forma net income (loss) per
  share................................  $    (0.33)  $      0.42      $     0.09     $     2.33   $      0.18      $     2.51
                                           ========       =======        ========       ========      ========        ========
Shares used in computing pro forma net
  income (loss) per share..............      13,000                        13,000         13,000                        13,000
                                           ========                      ========       ========                      ========
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
1. Represents the contribution to equity of the Company by SPAB of certain net
   assets related to foreign holding companies of SPAB and cash to settle
   certain net liabilities of the holding companies.
 
2. Represents the settlement of certain employee stock options for cash and
   equity and the contribution to equity by SPAB the cash used for such
   settlement.
 
3. Represents the conversion to equity of amounts due by the Company to SPAB for
   loans, advances and accrued interest.
 
4. Represents the removal of interest expense related to loans and advances
   described in item 3.
 
   
5. Represents the income tax effect of the pro forma adjustments. No pro-forma
   tax adjustment was necessary for the year ended December 31, 1996 as the
   Company had net operating loss carryforwards to offset taxable income in the
   United States.
    
 
     The unaudited pro forma financial statements do not purport to represent
what the financial position or results of operations actually would have been
had the Offering and related transactions occurred on the dates referred to
above nor do they project the Company's financial position or results of
operations for any future date.
 
                                       F-9
<PAGE>   70
 
                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
          (AN INDIRECT WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF SPECTRA-PHYSICS AB)
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND THE PRO FORMA
                           INFORMATION IS UNAUDITED)
 
 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Interim Period Financial Statements:
 
     The consolidated interim financial statements reflect all adjustments
(which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly
the financial position of the Company at September 30, 1997, and its results of
operations and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997.
Interim results are not necessarily indicative of full year performance.
 
     The Company's fiscal year ends on December 31. The Company's fiscal
quarters end on the Friday closest to the end of the calendar month. For
presentation purposes, the financial statements reflect the calendar month end
date.
 
  Principles of Consolidation:
 
     The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and
transactions have been eliminated.
 
  Use of Estimates:
 
     The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Such estimates relate to the useful lives of property, plant
and equipment, allowances for doubtful accounts and customer returns, inventory
realizability, potential accruals relating to litigation matters, warranty and
other accruals, and contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could
differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the
financial statements.
 
  Inventories:
 
     Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (determined on a first-in,
first-out basis) or market.
 
  Property, Plant and Equipment:
 
     Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated on a
straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets of 3
to 25 years.
 
     The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No.
121, "Accounting for Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets
to be Disposed Of" effective as of the beginning of fiscal 1997. The adoption of
this statement had no material affect on the Company's financial statements.
 
  Intangible Assets:
 
     Intangible assets, principally patent rights, are stated at cost and
amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of
generally 17 years.
 
  Foreign Currency Translation:
 
     The local currency of the Company's subsidiaries in the United Kingdom,
Germany, the Netherlands, France and Japan are the functional currencies for
each entity. The assets and liabilities and sales and expense accounts of these
foreign subsidiaries have been translated using the exchange rate at the balance
sheet date and the weighted average exchange rate for the period, respectively.
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>   71
 
                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
          (AN INDIRECT WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF SPECTRA-PHYSICS AB)
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND THE PRO FORMA
                           INFORMATION IS UNAUDITED)
 
     The net effect of the translation of the accounts of the Company's
subsidiaries has been included in equity as cumulative foreign currency
translation adjustments. The net effect of adjustments that arise from exchange
rate changes on transactions denominated in a currency other than the local
currency are included in other income (expense) as incurred.
 
  Environmental Matters:
 
     Accruals for remediation costs are recognized when management determines
that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and such costs can be
reasonably estimated. Such accruals are recorded at undiscounted amounts and are
recorded even if significant uncertainties exist over the ultimate cost of the
remediation. Ongoing environmental compliance costs, including maintenance and
monitoring costs, are charged against the accrual.
 
  Sales Recognition:
 
     Net sales and related cost of sales for products are recognized upon
shipment.
 
  Concentrations:
 
     Cash is invested in deposits with banks in the United States and in
countries where subsidiaries operate. Deposits in these banks may exceed the
amount of insurance provided on such deposits; however, the Company is exposed
to loss only to the extent of the amount of cash reflected on its balance sheet.
The Company has not experienced any losses on its deposits of cash.
 
     The Company markets its products on both a direct and an OEM basis
principally in North America, Europe and Japan to companies for use in printing,
micro-machining, marking, materials processing, medical, semiconductor
manufacturing, inspection and repair applications, as well as universities and
other entities involved in research. No individual customer accounts for more
than 10% of net sales. The Company has adopted credit policies and standards to
accommodate growth into these markets. The Company performs continuing credit
evaluations of its customers' financial condition and although the Company
generally does not require collateral, letters of credit may be required from
its customers in certain circumstances. Bad debt losses to date have been
insignificant.
 
     A number of components necessary for the manufacture and operation of many
of the Company's products are obtained from a sole supplier or a limited group
of suppliers. The disruption or termination of any of these sources could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition.
 
  Warranty Costs:
 
     Upon shipment of product, the Company accrues the estimated cost of
warranty. The Company in general warrants its products for twelve to twenty-four
months depending on the product line.
 
  Advertising and Promotion Costs:
 
     The Company's policy is to expense advertising and promotion costs as they
are incurred. The Company's advertising and promotion expenses were
approximately $0.9 million, $1.2 million, and $1.3 million in the years ended
December 31, 1994, 1995, and 1996, respectively, and approximately $0.9 million
and $1.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997,
respectively.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>   72
 
                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
          (AN INDIRECT WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF SPECTRA-PHYSICS AB)
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND THE PRO FORMA
                           INFORMATION IS UNAUDITED)
 
  Income Taxes:
 
     The accompanying financial statements reflect the provisions of SFAS No.
109, "Accounting for Income Taxes". Accordingly, the Company uses the liability
method to calculate deferred taxes. The realization of deferred tax assets is
based on historical tax positions and expectations about future taxable income.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between
the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities based on enacted
tax laws and rates applicable to the period in which differences are expected to
affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to
reduce deferred tax assets to amounts that are more likely than not to be
realized. The provision for income taxes consists of the taxes payable or
refundable for the period plus or minus the change during the period in deferred
income tax assets and liabilities.
 
     Income taxes have been provided in the historical financial statements as
if the Company were a separate taxable entity. Under the Company's tax sharing
agreement with SPAB, however, the consolidated tax liability for a given year is
allocated only to companies in the group which have separate taxable income for
that year. The tax liability is allocated pro-rata based on each company's
relative separate taxable income. Companies with losses are not allocated any of
the tax liability and are not given any benefit for their losses. Any
differences between the Company's method for providing income tax expense
(benefit) in the historical financial statements and the tax sharing arrangement
it has with SPAB have been reflected in Parent equity (deficit) as contributions
or dividends. Effective October 1997, the Company and SPAB have entered into a
tax sharing arrangement which generally requires the Company to determine its
U.S. tax liability as a separate consolidated group.
 
  Financial Instruments With Off-Balance-Sheet Risk:
 
     From 1991 to October 1997, the Company entered into forward foreign
exchange contracts with SPAB to offset certain operational exposures from
changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Such exposures resulted from
portions of the Company's operations being denominated in currencies other than
the U.S. dollar, primarily the Japanese yen and European currencies. These
foreign exchange contracts were not collateralized and were entered into in
anticipation of product sales, made in the normal course of business, and
accordingly, were speculative in nature.
 
     Since the forward foreign exchange contracts were not designated as hedges
of firm, identifiable foreign currency commitments, the unrealized gains and
losses resulting from the impact of currency exchange rate movements on these
contracts were recognized in the periods in which the exchange rates changed.
Such gains and losses were recorded as other income or expense. Also, included
in other income and expense were realized gains and losses on the settlement of
foreign exchange contracts and realized and unrealized gains and losses on the
transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar for U.S. based
operations
 
     In October 1997, the Company changed the way it hedges its foreign currency
exposures. It closed all of its 1998 outstanding foreign exchange contracts with
SPAB by buying offsetting currency contracts. In place of the current hedging
program, the Company will hedge its foreign exchange exposure by entering into
transactions with independent financial institutions. The Company will not hold
or issue financial instruments for trading purposes nor will it hold or issue
leveraged derivative financial instruments. The objective of the Company's new
foreign exchange risk management policy is to preserve the U.S. dollar value of
its non-U.S. dollar cash flows. These cash flows arise primarily from the sale
of the Company's products in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, most of
which are made through the Company's subsidiaries in Japan and Europe. The
Company will use forward exchange contracts and simple purchased foreign
currency option contracts to hedge, respectively, firm commitments and probable
anticipated transactions that expose the Company to enterprise risk. Gains and
losses on forward exchange contracts that are designated as hedges of a firm
order
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>   73
 
                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
          (AN INDIRECT WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF SPECTRA-PHYSICS AB)
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND THE PRO FORMA
                           INFORMATION IS UNAUDITED)
 
   
from a customer outside the United States will be deferred and included in the
measurement of the underlying transaction. Gains on purchased foreign currency
options with little or no intrinsic value designated as hedges of probable
anticipated foreign sales transactions expected to occur within the next three
to six months whose significant characteristics and terms are known will also be
deferred and recognized at the time of the closing of the anticipated
transactions. Hedge accounting will be applied only if the derivative reduces
the risk of the underlying hedged item and is designated at inception as a
hedge. Additionally, the derivative must result in payoffs that are expected to
be highly inversely correlated to those of the hedged item. Derivatives will be
measured for effectiveness both at inception and on an ongoing basis. The
Company plans to enter into foreign exchange contracts and purchased foreign
currency options that are designated as and effective as hedges for firmly
committed sales and probable anticipated sales transactions, respectively. Gains
and losses on foreign exchange contracts and gains on purchased foreign currency
options accounted for as hedges will be deferred in other current assets or
liabilities. The deferred gains and losses will be recognized as adjustments to
the underlying hedged transaction when the firmly committed or future sales are
recognized. If a derivative instrument ceases to meet the criteria for deferral,
any subsequent gains or losses will be recognized in operations as incurred. If
a firm commitment does not occur, the foreign exchange contract will be
terminated and any gain or loss will be recognized in operations. If a hedging
instrument is sold or terminated prior to maturity, gains or losses will
continue to be deferred until the hedged item is recognized.
    
 
     The contract amounts and fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts
outstanding was $27.8 million and $25.6 million, respectively, at September 30,
1997. The counterparty for all contracts was SPAB.
 
  Pro Forma Net Income (Loss) Per Share:
 
     Pro forma net income (loss) per share has been computed based upon the
number of common shares outstanding after the Reorganization.
 
  Stock Based Compensation:
 
     In 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No.
123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," which establishes a fair value
based method of accounting for stock-based compensation plans and is effective
for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1995. SFAS No. 123 allows a
company to continue to follow the provisions of Accounting Principles Board
Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" and disclose the pro
forma impact of SFAS No. 123 on results of operations and earnings per share.
The Company has elected to continue to account for its stock-based compensation
plans in accordance with the provisions of APB 25. As the terms of the
stock-based compensation plans obligate the Company to settle the options in
cash in certain instances, the Company has reflected compensation expense
relating to the stock-based compensation plans in the statement of operations
and no pro forma disclosures are required.
 
  Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards:
 
     In February 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 128, "Earnings per Share," and
in March 1997 issued SFAS No. 129 "Disclosures of Information About Capital
Structure," both of which are required to be adopted by the Company in the year
ended December 31, 1998. These statements specify the computation, presentation
and disclosure requirements for earnings per share and the capital structure of
a company.
 
     In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive
Income" and SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information." SFAS No. 130 establishes the requirements for disclosure
of comprehensive income. Comprehensive income generally represents all changes
in stockholders' equity except those resulting from investments or contributions
from stockholders. SFAS No. 130 is effective for the Company in 1998. SFAS No.
131 requires publicly-held companies to report
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>   74
 
                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
          (AN INDIRECT WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF SPECTRA-PHYSICS AB)
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND THE PRO FORMA
                           INFORMATION IS UNAUDITED)
 
financial and other information about key sales-producing segments of the entity
for which such information is available and utilized by the chief operating
decision maker. Specific information to be reported for individual segments
includes profit and loss, certain sales and expense items and total assets. A
reconciliation of segment financial information to amounts reported in the
financial statements would be provided. SFAS No. 131 is effective for the
Company in 1998.
 
     The Company has determined that the impact of adopting each of the recently
issued accounting standards will not be material to its financial position or
results of operations.
 
 3. TRANSACTIONS WITH SPAB
 
     SPAB allocated certain expenses relating to cash management and treasury,
legal, employee benefits, insurance, income taxes and corporate overhead
services. Charges were allocated to the Company based on actual amounts incurred
on behalf of the Company or agreed upon amounts or percentages based on the
Company's headcount and sales that management of the Company believes were
reasonable. Amounts charged to operations were $0.3 million in each of the years
ended December 31, 1994, 1995, and 1996, and $0.2 million in each of the nine
months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
 
     SPAB used a centralized cash management program to finance its operations.
Cash deposits from the Company's operations were transferred to SPAB on a
periodic basis and SPAB funded the Company's disbursement bank account as
required. Prior to the Reorganization, the Company and SPAB had an agreement
whereby SPAB charged the Company interest based on certain of the Company's net
balance payable to SPAB calculated using SPAB cost of related borrowed funds.
Certain borrowings from SPAB were not subject to interest charges; however,
interest expense has been imputed in the accompanying statement of operations at
rates consistent with actual rates charged to the Company. Beginning in October
1997, the Company no longer participates in SPAB's centralized cash management
program.
 
     In October 1997, the Company obtained a $10.0 million uncommitted,
unsecured credit facility with a bank. Borrowings against this facility are
guaranteed by SPAB. Upon the consummation of the Offering, the guarantee will be
removed and the Company expects that the amount of the facility will be
increased to $20.0 million.
 
     Net transfers to/from SPAB, included in Parent equity (deficit), includes
third party liabilities paid on behalf of the Company by SPAB, interest expense
imputed on non-interest bearing advances, cash transfers, amounts due to/from
SPAB for services and other charges, and income taxes.
 
     The activity in the net transfers (to) from SPAB account, is summarized
below (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       NINE MONTHS
                                                                                          ENDED
                                                      YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,        SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                   ------------------------------     -------------
                                                    1994       1995        1996           1997
                                                   ------     -------     -------     -------------
<S>                                                <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>
SPAB service and other charges...................  $  283     $   328     $   328       $     249
Income taxes paid by (owed by) SPAB, net.........     311         112      (1,365)        (10,863)
Liabilities paid by SPAB for the benefit of the
  Company........................................     345         862       1,775              --
Cash transfers (to) SPAB.........................      --      (2,464)     (2,202)        (17,702)
Interest expense imputed on non-interest bearing
  loans..........................................     735       1,070         985             573
                                                   ------     -------     -------        --------
  Net transfers (to) from SPAB...................  $1,674     $   (92)    $  (479)      $ (27,743)
                                                   ======     =======     =======        ========
</TABLE>
 
     Loans and advances from SPAB represent a short-term interest bearing
$30,000,000 loan and various interest bearing short-term cash advances as well
as long-term interest bearing and non-interest bearing loans
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>   75
 
                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
          (AN INDIRECT WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF SPECTRA-PHYSICS AB)
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND THE PRO FORMA
                           INFORMATION IS UNAUDITED)
 
to the Company and its foreign sales subsidiaries. The interest bearing loans
and advances accrued interest at a rate determined by SPAB (7.25% at December
31, 1996 and September 30, 1997). Interest has been imputed on the non-interest
bearing obligations at a rate consistent with the interest bearing obligations.
 
     The short-term loan and advances were classified as long-term obligations
in the accompanying consolidated financial statements because the Company had
the ability and intent at each balance sheet date to defer payment for over one
year. In October 1997, in connection with the Reorganization, SPAB converted all
loans, advances, and interest accrued on such amounts outstanding to equity of
the Company.
 
 4. BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS
 
     Inventories, property, plant and equipment, and accrued and other current
liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                   -------------------     AT SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                    1995        1996             1997
                                                   -------     -------     ----------------
        <S>                                        <C>         <C>         <C>
        INVENTORIES:
          Raw material...........................  $ 9,658     $10,484         $ 11,013
          Work in process........................    5,421       6,092            7,578
          Finished goods.........................    7,626       5,233            8,823
                                                   -------     -------          -------
                                                   $22,705     $21,809         $ 27,414
                                                   =======     =======          =======
        PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
          Land, buildings and leasehold
             improvements........................  $19,001     $19,506         $ 19,703
          Machinery and office equipment.........   37,513      41,579           45,215
                                                   -------     -------          -------
                                                    56,514      61,085           64,918
          Less accumulated depreciation and
             amortization........................   36,683      40,434           41,974
                                                   -------     -------          -------
                                                   $19,831     $20,651         $ 22,944
                                                   =======     =======          =======
        ACCRUED AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES:
          Salaries and wages.....................  $ 2,338     $ 2,914         $  2,869
          Benefits, bonus and commissions........    3,565       4,387            3,453
          Accrued compensation for stock
             options.............................    1,000       6,000           20,500
          Warranty...............................    2,280       2,433            3,173
          Advance payments from customers........    4,901       5,501            4,125
          Other..................................    2,836       2,489            2,974
                                                   -------     -------          -------
                                                   $16,920     $23,724         $ 37,094
                                                   =======     =======          =======
</TABLE>
 
 5. PARENT EQUITY (DEFICIT)
 
  Common Stock:
 
     After the Reorganization, the Company's authorized common stock was
60,000,000 shares with a par value of $0.01 per share and 13,000,000 shares of
common stock were issued and outstanding.
 
  Preferred Stock:
 
     After the Reorganization, the Company's authorized preferred stock was
10,000,000 shares with a par value of $0.01 per share. The Board of Directors
may, at its discretion, designate one or more series of
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>   76
 
                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
          (AN INDIRECT WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF SPECTRA-PHYSICS AB)
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND THE PRO FORMA
                           INFORMATION IS UNAUDITED)
 
preferred stock and establish the voting, dividend, liquidation, and other
rights and preferences of the shares of each series, and provide for the
issuance of shares of any series.
 
 6. BENEFIT AND INCENTIVE PLANS
 
     The Company sponsors a defined contribution plan covering substantially all
U.S. employees. The plan provides for limited Company matching of participants'
contributions. Contributions to the plan by the Company and charged to
operations were $0.4 million, $0.4 million and $0.5 million in the years ended
December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively, and $0.4 million and $0.6
million in the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
 
     The Company's Executive Incentive Plan and Employee Bonus Plan provide
certain officers and employees of the Company with annual incentive cash bonus
awards based on the achievement of certain pre-established quantitative and
qualitative goals, including overall Company profitability. The Company charged
to operations $0.3 million, $1.3 million and $1.9 million in the years ended
December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively, and $0 and $0.7 million in the
nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively, under these plans.
 
     Spectra-Physics Laser Data Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, has
granted certain of its employees options to purchase 22 shares of its common
stock (20% of total common stock outstanding). One-half of the options vest over
a period of time beginning in 1995 at an exercise price and weighted average
exercise price of $.05 per share on the applicable date of grant and ending
December 31, 1999 and one-half are performance-based options. At December 31,
1996 and September 30, 1997, four shares under option were vested. The options
are exercisable from the effective date of an initial public offering of such
subsidiary's common stock until the earlier of the first anniversary of such
initial public offering or May 1, 2000. If a sale of control of the subsidiary
occurs before May 1, 2000, the subsidiary must redeem the options, to the extent
vested, by paying the holders the difference between the exercise price and the
per share value received in the sale of control (unless the acquiror in the sale
of control does not wish such options to be cancelled, in which case they shall
not be redeemed). Subject to certain qualifications, if neither an initial
public offering nor a sale of control occurs before May 1, 2000, the subsidiary
must redeem the options by paying its option holders the difference, on a
per-share basis, between the exercise price and the fair market value of the
subsidiary's common stock as determined by the board of directors, provided that
the holders of a majority of the options may request an independent appraisal of
the board's valuation. At September 30, 1997 options to purchase 22 shares were
outstanding at a weighted average price of $.05 per share, none were exercisable
and the weighted average contractual life was 2.6 years.
 
     SPAB adopted the 1994 Phantom Stock Option Plan pursuant to which certain
of the then executive officers and employees of the Company were granted in 1994
an aggregate of 35,000 phantom stock options (the "Phantom Stock Options") at an
exercise price and weighted average exercise price of 117 SEK (Swedish krona)
per option. The terms of the options expire after four years. Each Phantom Stock
Option entitles the holder to the right to receive a cash payment upon exercise
of the Phantom Stock Option equal to the fair market value of one share of
common stock of SPAB less the reference price of the Phantom Stock Option.
Pursuant to the plan and subject to certain conditions, the fair market value of
SPAB's common stock is defined as the average price of the last 10,000 shares of
common stock of SPAB traded on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Phantom Stock
Options may be exercised from two to four years from the date of grant. During
the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, 7,000 and 2,000 of the Phantom Stock
Options were canceled, respectively, and in the nine months ended September 30,
1997, a total of 8,000 options were exercised. At September 30, 1997, 18,000 of
the Phantom Stock Options remained outstanding. All of the options were fully
exercisable and had a weighted average remaining contractual life of one year.
The
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>   77
 
                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
          (AN INDIRECT WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF SPECTRA-PHYSICS AB)
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND THE PRO FORMA
                           INFORMATION IS UNAUDITED)
 
Company charged to operations $0, $0, and $0 in the years ended December 31,
1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively, and $0 and $0.4 million in the nine months
ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively, under the 1994 Phantom Stock
Option Plan.
 
 7. INCOME TAXES
 
     Income (loss) before income taxes consisted of the following (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                           YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,           SEPTEMBER 30,
                                        -------------------------------     ------------------
                                         1994        1995        1996        1996        1997
                                        -------     -------     -------     -------     ------
    <S>                                 <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
    U.S...............................  $(4,621)    $(3,600)    $(5,814)    $(5,424)    $5,037
    Foreign...........................     (269)      1,899       2,200          59      1,923
                                        -------     -------     -------     -------     ------
                                        $(4,890)    $(1,701)    $(3,614)    $(5,365)    $6,960
                                        =======     =======     =======     =======     ======
</TABLE>
 
     The provision for income taxes in the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995,
and 1996 and the nine months ended September 30, 1996, represented foreign taxes
currently payable at each of the applicable country's statutory rate. The
benefit of income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 consisted
of the following:
 
<TABLE>
            <S>                                                         <C>
            U.S. Federal and state:
              Current.................................................  $    632
              Deferred................................................      (632)
                                                                        --------
                                                                              --
                                                                        --------
            Foreign:
              Current.................................................       824
              Deferred................................................        --
                                                                        --------
                                                                             824
                                                                        --------
            Decrease in valuation allowance...........................   (24,096)
                                                                        --------
                      Total...........................................  $(23,272)
                                                                        ========
</TABLE>
 
     The following table summarizes the significant differences between the U.S.
Federal statutory taxes and the Company's provision for (benefit from) income
taxes for financial statement purposes (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                              YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,           SEPTEMBER 30,
                                            -----------------------------     --------------------
                                             1994       1995       1996        1996         1997
                                            -------     -----     -------     -------     --------
<S>                                         <C>         <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>
Tax expense (benefit) at statutory          $(1,712)
  rate...................................               $(595)    $(1,265)    $(1,878)    $  2,436
Foreign taxes............................       477        28         209          17          258
State taxes, net of Federal benefit......      (190)      (92)       (161)         --          211
Decrease in valuation allowance..........        --        --          --          --      (26,204)
Losses for which no tax benefit was           1,681
  recognized.............................                 913       1,602       1,878           --
Other....................................        55        64         249          --           27
                                            -------     -----     -------     -------     --------
Income tax expense (benefit).............   $   311     $ 318     $   634     $    17     $(23,272)
                                            =======     =====     =======     =======     ========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>   78
 
                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
          (AN INDIRECT WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF SPECTRA-PHYSICS AB)
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND THE PRO FORMA
                           INFORMATION IS UNAUDITED)
 
The Company's deferred tax assets are comprised of the following (in thousands):
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              AS OF DECEMBER 31,         AS OF
                                                             ---------------------   SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                               1995         1996         1997
                                                             --------     --------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>          <C>        <C>
Deferred tax assets:
  Net operating loss carryforwards.........................  $ 21,414     $ 20,564      $    --
  Inventory valuation accounts.............................     2,227        2,608        3,305
  Accrued expenses, primarily stock option compensation....       500        2,675       10,031
  Depreciation.............................................       572          485          470
  Other....................................................       415          372          713
                                                             --------     --------      -------
                                                               25,128       26,704       14,519
  Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets..............   (25,128)     (26,704)          --
                                                             --------     --------      -------
Net deferred tax assets....................................  $     --     $     --      $14,519
                                                             ========     ========      =======
</TABLE>
    
 
     Income taxes have been provided in the historical financial statements as
if the Company were a separate taxable entity. From 1992 to June 1997, income
tax expense reflected foreign taxes only due to the expectation by the Company
at that time of continuing losses in the U.S. Deferred tax assets were
established relating to: (i) net operating loss carryforwards, which included
interest expense from SPAB; (ii) accrued compensation associated with employee
stock options; (iii) inventory valuation reserves; and (iv) other accruals.
These deferred tax assets were offset in total by a valuation allowance due to
the expectation of continued losses in the U.S.
 
     During the quarter ended September 30, 1997, the Company decreased the tax
valuation allowance and recognized a tax benefit relating to the above items
(net of foreign taxes) totaling $23.3 million. The decrease of the valuation
allowance and the recognition of the tax benefit in the quarter was based on
management's expectations regarding future taxable income for the Company.
Management's expectations included the consideration of the conversion of loans
and advances from SPAB to equity in October 1997 which will eliminate related
interest charges in the future.
 
     For U.S. income tax return purposes, from 1991 through September 1997, the
Company was part of a U.S. consolidated group pursuant to a tax sharing
agreement among SPAB affiliated companies which file a consolidated tax return.
Under this tax sharing agreement, the deferred tax assets relating to the
Company's net operating loss carryovers referred to above have already been used
to offset the taxable income of other members of the tax filing group with no
benefit to the Company. Since the deferred tax assets related to the net
operating loss carryforward have been used by affiliated companies, and
therefore not available for use by the Company, the deferred tax asset arising
from the loss carryforwards (amounting to $10.2 million) have been recorded as a
dividend to SPAB. The deferred tax assets relating to accrued compensation
associated with employee stock options, the inventory valuation reserve and the
other accruals are recognized as deferred tax assets in the accompanying
financial statements.
 
 8. COMMITMENTS
 
     The Company leases manufacturing, research and development and office
facilities under non-cancellable operating leases which expire in 1998 through
2006. The Company is responsible for taxes, insurance and maintenance expenses
related to the leased facilities. Under the terms of certain lease agreements,
the leases may be extended, at the Company's option, and certain of the leases
provide for adjustments of the minimum monthly rent.
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>   79
 
                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
          (AN INDIRECT WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF SPECTRA-PHYSICS AB)
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND THE PRO FORMA
                           INFORMATION IS UNAUDITED)
 
     Future minimum annual lease payments under the leases are as follows (in
thousands):
 
         PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 31,
 
<TABLE>
<S>                           <C>
1997                          $  817
1998                           2,464
1999                           1,601
2000                             777
2001                             518
Thereafter                       588
                              ------
                              $6,765
                              ======
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense was $3.0 million, $2.7 million and $2.4 million in the years
ended December 31, 1994, 1995, and 1996, respectively. Rent expense was $1.8
million and $1.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997,
respectively.
 
9. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
     Since 1984, the Company has been identified by federal and state
authorities as one of several potentially responsible parties ("PRPs") in
conjunction with past releases of industrial solvents to soil and groundwater at
one of the Company's facilities. The site has been listed on the National
Priorities List, or "Superfund List", and the Company is subject to orders
requiring it to perform remediation on- and off-site. Applicable federal law
imposes joint and several liability on each PRP for the cleanup of this site.
Pursuant to these orders, the Company and other PRPs are jointly performing and
funding remediation that includes soil treatment, on-site and off-site
groundwater extraction, treatment and monitoring. All of the required soil and
groundwater remediation and monitoring systems currently required by the order
are in place, and consequently the initial capital expenditures for such systems
have been incurred. Generally the Company has determined its share of total
estimated clean up and remediation costs and has accrued the amount that it
believes to be its share of the total cost.
 
     Measurement of environmental accruals is subject to uncertainties,
including the evolving nature of environmental regulations and their
enforcement, the amount of time required to complete remediation, and the extent
to which other PRPs will bear their share of the remediation costs. The Company
estimates that at September 30, 1997 the remediation process will be completed
at a cost ranging from approximately $2.1 million to $4.3 million. It is
possible that the Company's recorded estimate of its obligation may change. At
December 31, 1995 and 1996 and September 30, 1997, the Company had accrued its
best estimate of the liability of approximately $2.7 million (of which $1.9
million was included in long term liabilities), $2.2 million (of which $1.8
million was included in long term liabilities) and $2.1 million (of which $1.5
million was included in long term liabilities), respectively, for anticipated
future remediation costs associated with the Superfund site referred to above.
During the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and the nine months
ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, the Company paid approximately $0.3 million,
$0.2 million, and $0.5 million, and $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively,
for remediation of this site.
 
     In October 1997, the Company was served with a complaint that had been
filed in the Superior Court of the State of California seeking an unspecified
amount of damages for personal injuries and property damage incurred by
residents of a single location alleged to have resulted from the Company's and
others' negligent and/or intentional handling of toxic chemicals. While the
Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the claims asserted in this
lawsuit and intends to vigorously defend itself in this case the amount of loss,
if any,
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>   80
 
                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
          (AN INDIRECT WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF SPECTRA-PHYSICS AB)
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND THE PRO FORMA
                           INFORMATION IS UNAUDITED)
 
that may result upon resolution of this complaint is not currently estimable nor
have any amounts been accrued in the financial statements. Accordingly, there
can be no assurance that the complaint will be resolved without adverse impact
to the Company's financial position or results of operations.
 
10. WORLDWIDE OPERATIONS
 
     The Company operates in one segment, the development, manufacturing and
distribution of lasers and laser systems for the industrial, OEM and research
and development markets.
 
   
     Included in the following table in operating income (loss) for the North
American and Export geographic region was $1.9 million and $6.9 million in the
years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively, and $4.8 million and $16.2
million in the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively,
related to the legal and compensation expenses discussed in Note 11.
    
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>   81
 
                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
          (AN INDIRECT WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF SPECTRA-PHYSICS AB)
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND THE PRO FORMA
                           INFORMATION IS UNAUDITED)
 
     Information about the Company's geographic areas is as follows (in
thousands):
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     NORTH
                                                                    AMERICA
                                               EUROPE     JAPAN    AND EXPORT   ELIMINATIONS    TOTAL
                                               -------   -------   ----------   ------------   --------
<S>                                            <C>       <C>       <C>          <C>            <C>
Year ended December 31, 1994:
Net sales
  External...................................  $26,044   $23,627    $ 45,452      $     --     $ 95,123
  Internal...................................       18        --      34,176       (34,194)          --
                                               -------   -------    --------      --------     --------
                                               $26,062   $23,627    $ 79,628      $(34,194)    $ 95,123
                                               =======   =======    ========      ========     ========
Operating income (loss)......................  $ 1,043   $  (571)   $    229      $   (660)    $     41
                                               =======   =======    ========      ========     ========
Year ended December 31, 1995:
Net sales
  External...................................  $28,223   $30,479    $ 53,825      $     --     $112,527
  Internal...................................       --        --      37,755       (37,755)          --
                                               -------   -------    --------      --------     --------
                                               $28,223   $30,479    $ 91,580      $(37,755)    $112,527
                                               =======   =======    ========      ========     ========
Operating income (loss)......................  $ 1,091   $   809    $   (211)     $    154     $  1,843
                                               =======   =======    ========      ========     ========
Identifiable assets..........................  $12,349   $14,405    $ 62,636      $ (8,699)    $ 80,691
                                               =======   =======    ========      ========     ========
Year ended December 31, 1996:
Net sales
  External...................................  $30,449   $30,517    $ 74,468      $     --     $135,434
  Internal...................................       --        --      37,825       (37,825)          --
                                               -------   -------    --------      --------     --------
                                               $30,449   $30,517    $112,293      $(37,825)    $135,434
                                               =======   =======    ========      ========     ========
Operating income (loss)......................  $ 1,251   $   937    $ (2,733)     $   (227)    $   (772)
                                               =======   =======    ========      ========     ========
Identifiable assets..........................  $11,765   $12,183    $ 71,530      $ (8,630)    $ 86,848
                                               =======   =======    ========      ========     ========
Nine months ended September 30, 1996
  (unaudited):
Net sales
  External...................................  $19,136   $21,849    $ 49,430      $     --     $ 90,415
  Internal...................................       --        --      25,517       (25,517)          --
                                               -------   -------    --------      --------     --------
                                               $19,136   $21,849    $ 74,947      $(25,517)    $ 90,415
                                               =======   =======    ========      ========     ========
Operating income (loss)......................  $   508   $  (464)   $ (3,213)     $    (88)    $ (3,257)
                                               =======   =======    ========      ========     ========
Nine months ended September 30, 1997:
Net sales
  External...................................  $20,261   $23,220    $ 69,580      $     --     $113,061
  Internal...................................       --        --      36,080       (36,080)          --
                                               -------   -------    --------      --------     --------
                                               $20,261   $23,220    $105,660      $(36,080)    $113,061
                                               =======   =======    ========      ========     ========
Operating income (loss)......................  $   668   $ 1,519    $ (9,891)     $   (982)    $ (8,686)
                                               =======   =======    ========      ========     ========
Identifiable assets..........................  $ 9,864   $12,631    $ 88,799      $ (7,360)    $103,934
                                               =======   =======    ========      ========     ========
</TABLE>
    
 
     External sales are based on the location of the Company's sales and service
subsidiary. Transfers between geographic areas consist of products that are sold
at amounts generally above cost and are consistent with governing tax
regulations. Identifiable assets are those assets used in each geographic area.
Export sales are
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>   82
 
                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
          (AN INDIRECT WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF SPECTRA-PHYSICS AB)
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND THE PRO FORMA
                           INFORMATION IS UNAUDITED)
 
United States foreign direct sales to unaffiliated customers primarily in Europe
and Asia Pacific. Export sales totaled $7.4 million in 1994, $8.6 million in
1995, $10.1 million in 1996 and $6.4 million and $6.3 million in the nine months
ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
 
     For fiscal 1994, 1995 and 1996, and the nine months ended September 30,
1996 and 1997, corporate headquarter costs of $3.6 million, $3.7 million, $3.8
million, $2.9 million and $3.4 million, respectively, were included in the North
American geographic area. Included in corporate headquarter costs were expense
allocations from SPAB totalling $0.3 million in each of 1994, 1995, and 1996 and
$0.2 million in each of the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997.
 
11. OTHER STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS ITEMS
 
     Included in other operating expenses in the years ended December 31, 1995
and 1996, and the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, was $0.9
million, $1.9 million, $1.0 million and $1.7 million, respectively, of legal
expenses associated with a lawsuit which was settled in the second quarter of
1997. As a result of the settlement, the Company received $17.0 million of net
proceeds which was included as other income in the nine months ended September
30, 1997.
 
   
     Also included in other operating expenses in the years ended December 31,
1995 and 1996, and the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, was $1.0
million, $5.0 million, $3.8 million and $14.5 million, respectively, of
compensation expense associated with stock options of a subsidiary of the
Company, Opto Power Corporation. In October 1997, the option holders agreed to
cancel their Opto Power options in exchange for cash payments in the aggregate
amount of approximately $14.7 million, payable upon execution of the
cancellation agreements, and additional cash payments or, upon completion of the
offering, Common Stock of the Company. The foregoing cash payments were funded
by a capital contribution to the Company by SPAB. As a result of the agreement
to cancel the stock options for a combination of cash and capital stock of the
Company totalling $18.8 million, the Company reversed approximately $1.4 million
of excess accrued expenses in the fourth quarter of 1997.
    
 
12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
     The Company expects to adopt the 1997 Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc. Stock
Option Plan (the "1997 Plan") which provides for the granting of non-qualified
stock options to certain officers, key employees and non-employee directors of
the Company. No awards under the 1997 Plan have been made to date.
 
     On October 21, 1997, the Company filed a Registration Statement with the
Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the initial public offering
of its Common Stock.
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>   83
                             [LOGO] SPECTRA-PHYSICS
                    The High Power Solid State Laser Company





       [Illustration of fiber coupling to laser diode and optical lens.]
<PAGE>   84
 
======================================================
 
  No dealer, salesperson or any other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representations other than those contained in this
Prospectus, and, if given or made, such information or representations must not
be relied upon as having been authorized by the Company or the Underwriters.
This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an
offer to buy any security other than the shares of Common Stock to which it
relates or an offer to, or a solicitation of , any person in any jurisdiction in
which such offer or solicitation would be unlawful. Neither the delivery of this
Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create
any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the Company
since the date hereof or that the information contained herein is correct as of
any time subsequent to the date hereof.
 
                       ----------------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                       ----------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Prospectus Summary....................    3
Risk Factors..........................    6
Use of Proceeds.......................   14
Dividend Policy.......................   14
Capitalization........................   15
Dilution..............................   16
Selected Consolidated Financial
  Data................................   17
Management's Discussion and Analysis
  of Financial Condition and Results
  of Operations.......................   19
Business..............................   29
Management............................   41
Principal Stockholder.................   48
Certain Relationships and
  Transactions........................   49
Description of Capital Stock..........   53
Shares Eligible for Future Sale.......   55
Underwriting..........................   56
Legal Matters.........................   57
Experts...............................   57
Additional Information................   58
Glossary..............................  G-1
Index to Financial Statements.........  F-1
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
Until          , 1997, (25 days after the date of this Prospectus), all dealers
effecting transactions in the Common Stock, whether or not participating in this
distribution, may be required to deliver a Prospectus. This is in addition to
the obligation of dealers to deliver a Prospectus when acting as underwriters
and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
======================================================
======================================================
                                2,400,000 SHARES
 
                                     [LOGO]
                                SPECTRA-PHYSICS
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
                         ------------------------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
                         ------------------------------
                             NATIONSBANC MONTGOMERY
                                SECURITIES, INC.
 
                                COWEN & COMPANY
                                           , 1997
======================================================
<PAGE>   85
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
     The following table sets forth the registrants' expenses in connection with
the issuance of the securities being registered, all of which will be paid or
reimbursed by the Company.
 
<TABLE>
        <S>                                                                <C>
        Commission Registration Fee......................................  $   10,037
        NASD Filing Fee..................................................       3,688
        Nasdaq National Market listing fee...............................      50,000
        Blue Sky Fees and Expenses.......................................       5,000
        Printing and Engraving Expenses..................................     155,000
        Legal Fees and Expenses..........................................     528,941
        Accounting Fees and Expenses.....................................     664,000
        Transfer Agent and Registrar Fees and Expenses...................       5,000
        Miscellaneous....................................................     227,334
                                                                               ------
        Total............................................................  $1,649,000
                                                                               ======
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     The Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the "Charter") of the Company
provides that directors of the Company shall be entitled to all limitations on
the liability of directors available under the DGCL. Further, the Charter
provides that a director shall not be liable to the Company or its stockholders
for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for
liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Company or
its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions by the director not in good faith
or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, (iii)
for actions described under Section 174 of the DGCL relating to the declaration
of dividends and purchase or redemption of shares in violation of the DGCL or
(iv) for any transactions from which a director derived an improper personal
benefit. In addition, Section 145 of the DGCL, under certain circumstances,
provides for the indemnification of the Company's officers and directors against
liabilities which they may incur in such capacities.
 
     In general, any officer or director of the Company shall be indemnified by
the Company against expenses including attorneys' fees, liability and loss
actually and reasonably incurred by that person in connection with a legal
proceeding as a result of such relationship, whether or not the indemnified
liability arises from an action by or in the right of the Company, if the
officer or director acted in good faith, and in the manner believed to be in or
not opposed to the Company's best interest, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was
unlawful. Such indemnity is limited to the extent that (i) such person is
otherwise indemnified and (ii) such indemnification is prohibited by the DGCL or
any other applicable law.
 
     Any indemnification under the previous paragraph (unless ordered by a
court) shall be made by the Company only as authorized in the specific case upon
the determination that indemnification of the director or officer is proper in
the circumstances because that person has met the applicable standard of conduct
set forth above. Such determination shall be made (i) by the Board of Directors
by a majority vote of a quorum of directors who are not parties to such action
or (ii) if such quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable and a quorum of
disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written
opinion. If there has been a change in control of the Company between the time
of the act or omission giving rise to such indemnification claim and the making
of such claim, the party seeking indemnification may direct that the issue of
permissibility be determined by independent legal counsel. To the extent that a
director or officer of the Company shall be successful in prosecuting an
indemnity claim, the reasonable expenses of any such
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   86
 
person and the fees and expenses of any special legal counsel engaged to
determine the possibility of indemnification shall be borne by the Company.
 
     Expenses incurred by a director or officer of the Company in defending a
civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the Company in
advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt
of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such
amount if it shall ultimately be determined that person is not entitled to be
indemnified by the Company as authorized by the Bylaws.
 
     The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted
pursuant to Article IV of the Bylaws is not deemed exclusive of any other rights
to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be
entitled, both as to action in that person's official capacity and as to action
in another capacity while holding such office.
 
     The Board of Directors has the power to authorize the Company to purchase
and maintain insurance on behalf of the Company and others to the extent that
the power to do so has not been prohibited by the DGCL, create any fund to
secure any of its indemnification obligations and give other indemnification to
the extent permitted by law. The obligations of the Company to indemnify a
director or officer under Article IV of the Bylaws is a contract between the
Company and such director or officer and no modification or repeal of the Bylaws
shall detrimentally affect such officer or director with regard to that person's
acts or omissions prior to such modification or repeal. The Company intends to
obtain directors' and officers' liability insurance prior to consummation of the
offering.
 
ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
 
     The Company has not issued any unregistered securities within the past
three years.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
     The following documents are filed as part of this Registration Statement:
 
     (a) EXHIBITS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                           DESCRIPTION
- -------        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>       <S>  <C>
    1.1   --   Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  **2.1   --   Plan of Reorganization of the Company.
  **3.1   --   Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended.
  **3.2   --   Bylaws of the Company.
  **4.1   --   Specimen Common Stock Certificate.
    5.1   --   Opinion of Dechert Price & Rhoads regarding legality of the Common Stock being
               registered.
 **10.1   --   Agreement by and between Spectra-Physics USA and the Company, dated as of August
               29, 1997.
   10.2   --   Registration Rights Agreement between Spectra-Physics USA and the Company.
   10.3   --   Form of Executive Employment Agreement with certain officers of the Company.
 **10.4   --   Employment Agreement dated May 19, 1995 between the Company and Mark S. Sobey.
 **10.5   --   Form of Executive Incentive Plan.
 **10.6   --   1997 Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc. Stock Option Plan.
 **10.7   --   Patent License Agreement dated as of October 4, 1997 by and between and Company,
               as licensor, and Precision, as licensee.
 **10.8   --   Patent License Agreement dated as of October 4, 1997 by and between Precision,
               as licensor, and the Company, as licensee.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   87
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                           DESCRIPTION
- -------        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>       <S>  <C>
 **10.9   --   Tradename and Trademark License Agreement dated as of August 29, 1997 by and
               between the Company, Spectra-Physics AB and certain Spectra-Physics AB
               subsidiaries.
**10.10   --   Form of Restricted Stock Plan Agreement among the Company, Opto Power and
               certain Opto Power employees.
 **21.1   --   List of Subsidiaries.
   23.1   --   Consent of Dechert Price & Rhoads included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1.
   23.2   --   Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
 **24.1   --   Powers of Attorney.
   27.1   --   Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
   
** Previously filed.
    
 
     (b) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SCHEDULE                                        DESCRIPTION
- --------     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>
II           Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
</TABLE>
 
     All other schedules are omitted because they are not required or
applicable, or because the information is included in the Consolidated Financial
Statements or the Notes thereto.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
          (a) To provide the underwriters at the closing specified in the
     underwriting agreement certificates in such denominations and registered in
     such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to
     each purchaser.
 
          (b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
     Securities Act, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
     persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
     otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
     Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
     the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
     claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment
     by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
     controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
     action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
     controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
     registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
     settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
     jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against
     public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by
     the final adjudication of such issue.
 
          (c) (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
     Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of
     this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
     form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
     (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
     registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
               (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of
     prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
     the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
     time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   88
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Company has duly
caused this Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Palo Alto
in the State of California on December 10, 1997.
    
 
                                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
 
                                          By:     /s/  PATRICK L. EDSELL
 
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                     Patrick L. Edsell
                                                  Chairman, President and
                                                  Chief Executive Officer
 
     KNOWN TO ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Patrick L. Edsell and Thomas J. Scannell,
each and individually, his attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any or all
amendments or post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement or any
Registration Statement for the same offering that is effective upon filing
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to
file the same with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith
or in connection with the registration of Common Stock under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto each of such attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority
to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary in
connection with such matters and hereby ratifying and confirming all that each
such attorney-in-fact, or his agent or substitutes, may do or cause to be done
by virtue hereof.
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  SIGNATURE                              TITLE                      DATE
- ---------------------------------------------  --------------------------    ------------------
<C>                                            <S>                           <C>
 
            /s/ PATRICK L. EDSELL              Chairman, President, and       December 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------    Chief Executive Officer
              Patrick L. Edsell                  (Principal Executive
                                                 Officer)
 
             THOMAS J. SCANNELL*               Vice President, Finance        December 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------    (Principal Financial and
             Thomas J. Scannell                  Principal Accounting
                                                 Officer)
 
               LARS SPONGBERG*                 Director                       December 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
               Lars Spongberg
 
             LAWRENCE C. KARLSON*              Director                       December 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
             Lawrence C. Karlson
 
                LENNART RAPPE*                 Director                       December 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
                Lennart Rappe
 
         *By: /s/ PATRICK L. EDSELL
- ---------------------------------------------
              Patrick L. Edsell
              Attorney-in-Fact
        Pursuant to Power of Attorney
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   89
 
       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholder
Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc.
 
     In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements of
Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc. as of December 31, 1995 and 1996 and September 30,
1997, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996 and
the nine month period ended September 30, 1997, which financial statements are
included in the Prospectus, we have also audited the financial statement
schedule listed in Item 16(b) herein.
 
     In our opinion, this financial statement schedule, when considered in
relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in
all material respects, the information required to be included therein.
 
                                   Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
 
San Jose, California
October 18, 1997
 
                                       S-1
<PAGE>   90
 
                SCHEDULE II -- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  BALANCE AT
                                                  BEGINNING                                   BALANCE AT
                  DESCRIPTION                      OF YEAR       ADDITIONS     DEDUCTIONS     END OF YEAR
- ------------------------------------------------  ----------     ---------     ----------     -----------
                                                                      (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                               <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>
Allowance for doubtful accounts for the years
  ended:
  December 31, 1994.............................    $  779        $    10       $   (142)       $   647
  December 31, 1995.............................       647             60           (379)           328
  December 31, 1996.............................       328             33                           361
Warranty reserves for the years ended:
  December 31, 1994.............................    $2,324        $ 1,631       $ (1,875)       $ 2,080
  December 31, 1995.............................     2,080          1,821         (1,621)         2,280
  December 31, 1996.............................     2,280          2,429         (2,276)         2,433
</TABLE>
 
                                       S-2
<PAGE>   91
 
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT                                                                                  NUMBERED
NUMBER                                      DESCRIPTION                                  PAGE NO.
- -------        ----------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------
<C>       <S>  <C>                                                                     <C>
    1.1   --   Form of Underwriting Agreement........................................
  **2.1   --   Plan of Reorganization of the Company.................................
  **3.1   --   Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended...............
  **3.2   --   Bylaws of the Company.................................................
  **4.1   --   Specimen Common Stock Certificate.....................................
    5.1   --   Opinion of Dechert Price & Rhoads regarding legality of the Common
               Stock being registered................................................
 **10.1   --   Agreement by and between Spectra-Physics USA and the Company, dated as
               of August 29, 1997....................................................
   10.2   --   Registration Rights Agreement between Spectra-Physics USA and the
               Company, dated as of October   , 1997.................................
   10.3   --   Form of Executive Employment Agreement with certain officers of the
               Company...............................................................
 **10.4   --   Employment Agreement dated May 19, 1995 between the Company and Mark
               S. Sobey..............................................................
 **10.5   --   Form of Executive Incentive Plan......................................
 **10.6   --   1997 Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc. Stock Option Plan...................
 **10.7   --   Patent License Agreement dated as of October 4, 1997 by and between
               and Company, as licensor, and Precision, as licensee..................
 **10.8   --   Patent License Agreement dated as of October 4, 1997 by and between
               Precision, as licensor, and the Company, as licensee..................
 **10.9   --   Tradename and Trademark License Agreement dated as of August 29, 1997
               by and between the Company, Spectra-Physics AB and certain
               Spectra-Physics AB subsidiaries.......................................
**10.10   --   Form of Restricted Stock Plan Agreement among the Company, Opto Power
               and certain Opto Power employees.
 **21.1   --   List of Subsidiaries..................................................
   23.1   --   Consent of Dechert Price & Rhoads included in the opinion filed as
               Exhibit 5.1...........................................................
   23.2   --   Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. ..................................
 **24.1   --   Powers of Attorney....................................................
   27.1   --   Financial Data Schedule...............................................
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
   
** Previously filed.
    

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     Exhibit 1.1

                                2,400,000 SHARES




                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.



                                  COMMON STOCK





                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

                            DATED DECEMBER ___, 1997





                                          -1-

<PAGE>   2
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    PAGE
                                                                                    ----
<S>                                                                                 <C>
Section 1.     Representations and Warranties of the Company and the Parent...........2
        A.     Representations and Warranties.........................................2
               (a)    Compliance with Registration Requirements.......................2
               (b)    Offering Materials Furnished to Underwriters....................3
               (c)    Distribution of Offering Material by the Company................3
               (d)    The Underwriting Agreement......................................3
               (e)    Authorization of the Common Shares..............................3
               (f)    No Applicable Registration or Other Similar Rights..............3
               (g)    No Material Adverse Change......................................3
               (h)    Independent Accountants.........................................4
               (i)    Preparation of the Financial Statements.........................4
               (j)    Incorporation and Good Standing of the Company 
                      and its Subsidiaries ...........................................4
               (k)    Capitalization and Other Capital Stock Matters..................4
               (l)    Stock Exchange Listing..........................................5
               (m)    Non-Contravention of Existing Instruments; No Further 
                      Authorizations or Approvals Required............................5
               (n)    No Material Actions or Proceedings..............................5
               (o)    Intellectual Property Rights....................................6
               (p)    All Necessary Permits, etc......................................6
               (q)    Title to Properties.............................................6
               (r)    Tax Law Compliance..............................................6
               (s)    Company Not an "Investment Company".............................6
               (t)    Insurance.......................................................7
               (u)    No Price Stabilization or Manipulation..........................7
               (v)    Related Party Transactions......................................7
               (w)    No Unlawful Contributions or Other Payments.....................7
               (x)    Company's Accounting System.....................................7
               (y)    Compliance with Environmental Laws..............................7
               (z)    Periodic Review of Costs of Environmental Compliance............8
               (aa)   ERISA Compliance................................................8
               (bb)   Reorganization Agreements.......................................9

Section 2.     Purchase, Sale and Delivery of the Common Shares.......................9
        The Firm Common Shares........................................................9
        The First Closing Date........................................................9
        The Optional Common Shares; the Second Closing Date..........................10
        Public Offering of the Common Shares.........................................10
        Payment for the Common Shares................................................10
        Delivery of the Common Shares................................................11
        Delivery of Prospectus to the Underwriters...................................11
</TABLE>

                                       -i-

<PAGE>   3
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    PAGE
                                                                                    ----
<S>                                                                                 <C>

Section 3.     Additional Covenants of the Company and the Parent....................11
               (a)    Representatives' Review of Proposed Amendments 
                      and Supplements ...............................................11
               (b)    Securities Act Compliance......................................11
               (c)    Amendments and Supplements to the Prospectus and Other 
                      Securities Act Matters ........................................12
               (d)    Copies of any Amendments and Supplements to the Prospectus.....12
               (e)    Blue Sky Compliance............................................12
               (f)    Use of Proceeds................................................12
               (g)    Transfer Agent.................................................12
               (h)    Earnings Statement.............................................13
               (i)    Periodic Reporting Obligations.................................13
               (j)    Agreement Not To Offer or Sell Additional Securities...........13
               (k)    Future Reports to the Representatives..........................13

Section 4.     Payment of Expenses...................................................13

Section 5.     Conditions of the Obligations of the Underwriters.....................14
               (a)    Accountants' Comfort Letter....................................14
               (b)    Compliance with Registration Requirements; 
                      No Stop Order; No Objection from NASD..........................14
               (c)    No Material Adverse Change or Ratings Agency Change............15
               (d)    Opinion of Counsel for the Company.............................15
               (e)    Opinion of Counsel for the Underwriters........................15
               (f)    Officers' Certificate..........................................16
               (g)    Bring-down Comfort Letter......................................16
               (h)    Lock-Up Agreements from Directors and Officers.................16
               (i)    Additional Documents...........................................16

Section 6.     Reimbursement of Underwriters' Expenses...............................16

Section 7.     Effectiveness of this Agreement.......................................17

Section 8.     Indemnification.......................................................17
               (a)    Indemnification of the Underwriters............................17
               (b)    Indemnification of the Company and the Parent..................18
               (c)    Notifications and Other Indemnification Procedures.............19
               (d)    Settlements....................................................19

Section 9.     Contribution..........................................................20

Section 10. Default of One or More of the Several Underwriters.......................21
</TABLE>

                                         -ii-

<PAGE>   4


                                   TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                      (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    PAGE
                                                                                    ----
<S>                                                                                 <C>

Section 11. Termination of this Agreement............................................22

Section 12. Representations and Indemnities to Survive Delivery......................22

Section 13. Notices..................................................................22

Section 14. Successors...............................................................24

Section 15. Partial Unenforceability.................................................24

Section 16. Governing Law Provisions.................................................24
               (a)    ...............................................................24
               (b)    Consent to Jurisdiction........................................24
               (c)    Waiver of Immunity.............................................24

Section 17. General Provisions.......................................................25
</TABLE>

                                      -iii-

<PAGE>   5
                                UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT


                                                               December __, 1997


NATIONSBANC MONTGOMERY SECURITIES, INC.
COWEN & COMPANY
As Representatives of the several Underwriters
c/o MONTGOMERY SECURITIES
600 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, California  94111

Ladies and Gentlemen:

               INTRODUCTORY. Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), proposes to issue and sell to the several
underwriters named in Schedule A (the "Underwriters") an aggregate of 2,400,000
shares (the "Firm Common Shares") of its Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
(the "Common Stock"). In addition, the Company has granted to the Underwriters
an option to purchase up to an additional 360,000 shares (the "Optional Common
Shares") of Common Stock, as provided in Section 2. The Firm Common Shares and,
if and to the extent such option is exercised, the Optional Common Shares are
collectively called the "Common Shares." NationsBanc Montgomery Securities, Inc.
and Cowen & Company have agreed to act as representatives of the several
Underwriters (in such capacity, the "Representatives") in connection with the
offering and sale of the Common Shares.

               The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") a registration statement on Form S-1
(File No. 333-38329), which contains a form of prospectus to be used in
connection with the public offering and sale of the Common Shares. Such
registration statement, as amended, including the financial statements, exhibits
and schedules thereto, in the form in which it was declared effective by the
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder (collectively, the "Securities Act"), including any
information deemed to be a part thereof at the time of effectiveness pursuant to
Rule 430A or Rule 434 under the Securities Act, is called the "Registration
Statement". Any registration statement filed by the Company pursuant to Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act is called the "Rule 462(b) Registration
Statement", and from and after the date and time of filing of the Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement the term "Registration Statement" shall include the Rule
462(b) Registration Statement. Such prospectus, in the form first used by the
Underwriters to confirm sales of the Common Shares, is called the "Prospectus";
provided, however, if the Company has, with the consent of the Representatives,
elected to rely upon Rule 434 under the Securities Act, the term "Prospectus"
shall mean the Company's prospectus subject to completion (each, a "preliminary
prospectus") dated November 26, 1997 (such preliminary prospectus is called the
"Rule 434 preliminary prospectus"), together with the applicable term sheet (the
"Term Sheet") prepared and filed by the Company with the Commission under Rules
434 and 424(b) under the Securities Act and all references in this Agreement to
the date of the Prospectus shall mean with respect to the Rule 434 preliminary
prospectus, the date of the Term Sheet. All references in this Agreement to the
Registration Statement, the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, a preliminary
prospectus, the Prospectus or the Term Sheet, or any amendments or supplements
to any of the foregoing, shall include any copy thereof filed with the
Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval
System ("EDGAR").


<PAGE>   6
        On August 29, 1997, the Company and Spectra-Physics Holdings USA, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation ("Parent") entered into an Agreement (the "Reorganization
Agreement") for the purpose of effecting the transfer of certain assets and
liabilities (including contractual rights and obligations) of the Company to
Parent (the "Reorganization"). In addition, in connection with the
Reorganization, the Company entered into the following agreements with Parent or
its subsidiaries: Tax Allocation and Tax Indemnification Agreement among Parent,
the Company and their Subsidiaries (as defined therein); Tradename and Trademark
License Agreement dated as of August 29, 1997 among the Company, Parent,
Spectra-Precision, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Precision"), and
Spectra-Physics Vision Tech O.Y., a Finnish corporation; Patent License
Agreement dated as of October 4, 1997 by and between the Company, as licensor,
and Precision, as licensee, and Patent License Agreement dated as of October 4,
1997 by and between the Precision, as licensor, and the Company, as licensee,
(each of such agreements together with the Reorganization Agreement are
collectively referred to as the "Reorganization Agreements").

        The Company and Parent, the beneficial owner of all of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of the Company, hereby confirm their respective
agreements with respect to the purchase of the Common Stock by the Underwriters.

SECTION 1.     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY AND THE PARENT

        A.   Representations and Warranties. The Company and the Parent, jointly
and severally, hereby represent, warrant and covenant to each Underwriter as
follows:

               (a) Compliance with Registration Requirements. The Registration
Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement have been declared
effective by the Commission under the Securities Act. The Company has complied
to the Commission's satisfaction with all requests of the Commission for
additional or supplemental information with respect to the Registration
Statement. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement is in effect and no
proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the best
knowledge of the Company, are contemplated or threatened by the Commission.

               Each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus when filed
complied in all material respects with the Securities Act and, if filed by
electronic transmission pursuant to EDGAR (except as may be permitted by
Regulation S-T or otherwise under the Securities Act), was identical to the copy
thereof delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offer and
sale of the Common Shares. Each of the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the time it
became effective, complied and will comply in all material respects with the
Securities Act and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The Prospectus, as
amended or supplemented, as of its date or, in the case of any amendment or
supplement, as of the date thereof, did not and will not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order
to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading. The representations and warranties set forth in
the two immediately preceding sentences do not apply to statements in or
omissions from the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration
Statement, or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus, or any
amendments or supplements thereto, made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by
the Representatives expressly for use therein. There are no contracts or other
documents

                                       -2-

<PAGE>   7
required to be described in the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the
Registration Statement which have not been described or filed as required.

               (b) Offering Materials Furnished to Underwriters. The Company has
delivered to each of the Representatives one complete manually signed copy of
the Registration Statement and of each consent and certificate of experts filed
as a part thereof, and conformed copies of the Registration Statement (without
exhibits) and preliminary prospectuses and the Prospectus, as amended or
supplemented, in such quantities and at such places as the Representatives have
reasonably requested for each of the Underwriters.

               (c) Distribution of Offering Material by the Company. The Company
has not publicly distributed and will not publicly distribute, prior to the
later of the Second Closing Date (as defined below) and the completion of the
Underwriters' distribution of the Common Shares, any offering material in
connection with the offering and sale of the Common Shares other than a
preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or the Registration Statement.

               (d) The Underwriting Agreement. This Agreement has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by, and is a valid and binding agreement of,
the Company and the Parent, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as
rights to indemnification or contribution hereunder may be limited by applicable
law or public policy applicable thereto and except as the enforcement hereof may
be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and
remedies of creditors or by general equitable principles.

               (e) Authorization of the Common Shares. The Common Shares to be
purchased by the Underwriters from the Company have been duly authorized for
issuance and sale pursuant to this Agreement and, when issued and delivered by
the Company pursuant to this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

               (f) No Applicable Registration or Other Similar Rights. There are
no persons with registration or other similar rights to have any equity or debt
securities registered for sale under the Registration Statement or included in
the offering contemplated by this Agreement, except for such rights as have been
duly waived.

               (g) No Material Adverse Change. Subsequent to the respective
dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus: (i) there has been no
material adverse change, or any development that could reasonably be expected to
result in a material adverse change, in the financial condition, or in the
results of operations, business or prospects, whether or not arising from
transactions in the ordinary course of business, of the Company and its
subsidiaries, considered as one entity (any such change is called a "Material
Adverse Change"); (ii) the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one
entity, have not incurred any material liability or obligation, indirect, direct
or contingent, not in the ordinary course of business nor entered into any
material transaction or agreement not in the ordinary course of business; and
(iii) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or
made by the Company or, except for dividends paid to the Company or other
subsidiaries, any of its subsidiaries on any class of capital stock or
repurchase or redemption by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any class
of capital stock.

                                       -3-

<PAGE>   8
               (h) Independent Accountants. Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., who have
expressed their opinion with respect to the financial statements (which term as
used in this Agreement includes the related notes thereto) and supporting
financial statement schedules filed with the Commission as a part of the
Registration Statement and included in the Prospectus, are independent public or
certified public accountants with respect to the Company as required by the
Securities Act.

               (i) Preparation of the Financial Statements. The financial
statements filed with the Commission as a part of the Registration Statement and
included in the Prospectus present fairly, in all material respects, the
consolidated financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries as of and at
the dates indicated and the consolidated results of their operations and cash
flows for the periods specified in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles on the basis stated in the Registration Statement. The supporting
financial statement schedules included in the Registration Statement present
fairly in all material respects the information required to be stated therein.
Such financial statements and supporting financial statement schedules have been
prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles as applied
in the United States applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods
involved, except as may be expressly stated in the related notes thereto. No
other financial statements or supporting financial statement schedules are
required to be included in the Registration Statement. The financial data set
forth in the Prospectus under the captions "Prospectus Summary--Summary
Consolidated Financial Data", "Selected Consolidated Financial Data" and
"Capitalization" fairly present in all material respects the information set
forth therein on the basis stated in the Registration Statement.

               (j) Incorporation and Good Standing of the Company and its
Subsidiaries. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has been duly
incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has corporate power and
authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business
as described in the Prospectus and, in the case of the Company, to enter into
and perform its obligations under this Agreement. Each of the Company and each
subsidiary is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and
is in good standing in the State of California and each other jurisdiction in
which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or
leasing of property or the conduct of business, except for such jurisdictions
where the failure to so qualify or to be in good standing would not,
individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change. All of
the issued and outstanding capital stock of each subsidiary has been duly
authorized and validly issued, is fully paid and nonassessable and is owned by
the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any security
interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance or claim. The Company does not own
or control, directly or indirectly, any corporation, association or other entity
other than the subsidiaries listed in Exhibit 21.1 to the Registration
Statement.

               (k) Capitalization and Other Capital Stock Matters. The
authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company is as set forth
in the Prospectus under the caption "Capitalization." Prior to the Offering, all
outstanding shares of Common Stock are owned directly or through wholly-owned
subsidiaries by the Parent. The Common Stock (including the Common Shares)
conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the
Prospectus. All of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock have been
duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and have
been issued in compliance with federal and state securities laws. None of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock were issued in violation of any preemptive
rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights to subscribe for or
purchase securities of the Company. There are no authorized or outstanding
options, warrants, preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other rights to

                                       -4-

<PAGE>   9
purchase, or equity or debt securities convertible into or exchangeable or
exercisable for, any capital stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
other than those described in the Prospectus. The description of the Company's
stock option, stock bonus and other stock plans or arrangements, and the options
or other rights granted thereunder, set forth in the Prospectus accurately and
fairly presents in all material respects the information required to be provided
therein with respect to such plans, arrangements, options and rights.

               (l) Stock Exchange Listing. The Common Shares have been approved
for listing on the Nasdaq National Market, subject only to official notice of
issuance.

               (m) Non-Contravention of Existing Instruments; No Further
Authorizations or Approvals Required. Neither the Company, the Parent or any of
its subsidiaries is in violation of its charter or by-laws or is in default (or,
with the giving of notice or lapse of time, would be in default) ("Default")
under any indenture, mortgage, loan or credit agreement, note, contract,
franchise, lease or other instrument to which the Company, the Parent or any of
its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound, or to
which any of the property or assets of the Company, the Parent or any of its
subsidiaries is subject (each, an "Existing Instrument"), except for such
Defaults as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material
Adverse Change. The Company's and the Parent's execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby and by the Prospectus (i) have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action and will not result in any violation of the provisions of the
charter or by-laws of the Company, the Parent or any subsidiary, (ii) will not
conflict with or constitute a breach of, or Default under, or result in the
creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or
assets of the Company, the Parent or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, or
require the consent of any other party to, any Existing Instrument, except for
such conflicts, breaches, Defaults, liens, charges or encumbrances as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change and (iii)
will not result in any violation of any law, administrative regulation or
administrative or court decree applicable to the Company, the Parent or any
subsidiary, except for such violations that, individually or in the aggregate,
would not result in a Material Adverse Change. No consent, approval,
authorization or other order of, or registration or filing with, any court or
other governmental or regulatory authority or agency, is required for the
Company's or the Parent's execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Prospectus,
except for (i) such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or
filings, the absence of which would not result in a Material Adverse Change and
(ii) such as have been obtained or made by the Company or the Parent and are in
full force and effect under the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), applicable state securities or blue sky
laws and from the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD").

               (n) No Material Actions or Proceedings. Except as otherwise set
forth in the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental actions, suits or
proceedings pending or, to the best of the knowledge of the Company or the
Parent, threatened (i) against or affecting the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, (ii) which has as the subject thereof any officer or director of,
or property owned or leased by, the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (iii)
relating to environmental or discrimination matters, where in any such case (A)
there is a reasonable possibility that such action, suit or proceeding might be
determined adversely to the Company or such subsidiary and (B) any such action,
suit or proceeding, if so determined adversely, would reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Change or adversely affect the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Except as otherwise disclosed in
the Prospectus, no material labor dispute with the employees of the

                                       -5-

<PAGE>   10
Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the best of the Company's
knowledge, is threatened or imminent.

               (o) Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and its
subsidiaries own or possess sufficient trademarks, trade names, patent rights,
copyrights, licenses, approvals, trade secrets and other similar rights
(collectively, "Intellectual Property Rights") reasonably necessary to conduct
their businesses as now conducted; and the expected expiration of any of such
Intellectual Property Rights would not result in a Material Adverse Change.
Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of
infringement or conflict with asserted Intellectual Property Rights of others,
which infringement or conflict, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, could
result in a Material Adverse Change.

               (p) All Necessary Permits, etc. The Company and each subsidiary
possess such valid and current certificates, authorizations or permits issued by
the appropriate state, federal or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies
necessary to conduct their respective businesses except such conflicts,
authorizations and permits the absence of which would not result in a Material
Adverse Change, and neither the Company nor any subsidiary has received any
notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of, or
non-compliance with, any such certificate, authorization or permit which, singly
or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or
finding, could result in a Material Adverse Change.

               (q) Title to Properties. The Company and each of its subsidiaries
has good and marketable title to all the properties and assets reflected as
owned in the financial statements referred to in Section 1(A)(i) above (or
elsewhere in the Prospectus), in each case free and clear of any security
interests, mortgages, liens, encumbrances, equities, claims and other defects,
except those, if any, reflected in the financial statements or elsewhere in the
Prospectus or such as individually or in the aggregate do not materially and
adversely affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with
the use made or proposed to be made of such property by the Company or such
subsidiary. The real property, improvements, equipment and personal property
held under lease by the Company or any subsidiary are held under valid and
enforceable leases, with such exceptions as are not material and do not
materially interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such real
property, improvements, equipment or personal property by the Company or such
subsidiary.

               (r) Tax Law Compliance. The Company and its subsidiaries have
filed all necessary federal, state and foreign income and franchise tax returns
(except those state, foreign or franchise tax returns that if not so filed would
not result in a Material Adverse Change) or have properly requested extensions
thereof and have paid all taxes required to be paid by any of them and, if due
and payable, any related or similar assessment, fine or penalty levied against
any of them except those of which are being contested in good faith and by
appropriate proceedings. The Company has made adequate charges, accruals and
reserves in the applicable financial statements referred to in Section 1(A)(i)
above in respect of all federal, state and foreign income and franchise taxes
for all periods as to which the tax liability of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries has not been finally determined.

               (s) Company Not an "Investment Company". The Company is not, and
after receipt of payment for the Common Shares will not be, an "investment
company" within the meaning of Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and
will conduct its business in a manner so that it will not become subject to the
Investment Company Act.

                                       -6-

<PAGE>   11
               (t) Insurance. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries are
insured by recognized and reputable institutions with policies in such amounts
and with such deductibles and covering such risks as are reasonably adequate and
customary for their businesses including, but not limited to, policies covering
real and personal property owned or leased by the Company and its subsidiaries
against theft, damage, destruction, acts of vandalism and earthquakes. The
Company has no reason to believe that it or any subsidiary will not be able (i)
to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such policies expire or
(ii) to obtain comparable coverage from similar institutions as may be necessary
or appropriate to conduct its business as now conducted and at a cost that would
not result in a Material Adverse Change. Neither of the Company nor any
subsidiary has been denied any insurance coverage which it has sought or for
which it has applied.

               (u) No Price Stabilization or Manipulation. The Company and the
Parent have not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action
designed to or that might be reasonably expected to cause or result in
stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to
facilitate the sale or resale of the Common Shares.

               (v) Related Party Transactions. There are no business
relationships or related-party transactions involving the Company, the Parent or
any subsidiary or, to the best of the Company's knowledge, any other person
required to be described in the Prospectus which have not been described as
required.

               (w) No Unlawful Contributions or Other Payments. Neither of the
Company, the Parent or any of its subsidiaries nor, to the best of the Company's
knowledge, any employee or agent of the Company or any subsidiary, has made any
unlawful contribution or other payment to any official of, or candidate for, any
federal, state or foreign office or any other person charged with similar public
or quasi-public duties.

               (x) Company's Accounting System. The Company maintains a system
of accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (i)
transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or specific
authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation
of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles as applied in the United States and to maintain accountability for
assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management's
general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for
assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate
action is taken with respect to any differences.

               (y) Compliance with Environmental Laws. Except as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change or as to
those matters disclosed in the Prospectus under the caption
"Business--Environmental Matters," (i) neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries is in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign law or
regulation relating to pollution or protection of human health or the
environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water,
groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including without
limitation, laws and regulations relating to emissions, discharges, releases or
threatened releases of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic
substances, hazardous substances, petroleum and petroleum products
(collectively, "Materials of Environmental Concern"), or otherwise relating to
the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal,
transport or handling of Materials of Environment Concern (collectively,
"Environmental Laws"), which violation includes, but is not limited to,
noncompliance with any permits or other governmental authorizations required for
the operation of

                                       -7-

<PAGE>   12
the business of the Company or its subsidiaries under applicable Environmental
Laws, or noncompliance with the terms and conditions thereof, nor has the
Company or any of its subsidiaries received any written communication, whether
from a governmental authority, citizens group, employee or otherwise, that
alleges that the Company or any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any
Environmental Law; (ii) there is no claim, action or cause of action filed with
a court or governmental authority, no investigation with respect to which the
Company has received written notice, and no written notice by any person or
entity alleging potential liability for investigatory costs, cleanup costs,
governmental responses costs, natural resources damages, property damages,
personal injuries, attorneys' fees or penalties arising out of, based on or
resulting from the presence, or release into the environment, of any Material of
Environmental Concern at any location owned, leased or operated by the Company
or any of its subsidiaries, now or in the past (collectively, "Environmental
Claims"), pending or, to the best of the Company's knowledge, threatened against
the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any person or entity whose liability
for any Environmental Claim the Company or any of its subsidiaries has retained
or assumed either contractually or by operation of law; and (iii) to the best of
the Company's knowledge, there are no past or present actions, activities,
circumstances, conditions, events or incidents, including, without limitation,
the release, emission, discharge, presence or disposal of any Material of
Environmental Concern, that reasonably could result in a violation of any
Environmental Law or form the basis of a potential Environmental Claim against
the Company or any of its subsidiaries or against any person or entity whose
liability for any Environmental Claim the Company or any of its subsidiaries has
retained or assumed either contractually or by operation of law.

               (z) Periodic Review of Costs of Environmental Compliance. In the
ordinary course of its business, the Company conducts a periodic review of the
effect of Environmental Laws on the business, operations and properties of the
Company and its subsidiaries, in the course of which it identifies and evaluates
associated costs and liabilities (including, without limitation, any capital or
operating expenditures required for clean-up, closure of properties or
compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit, license or approval, any
related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to
third parties).

               (aa) ERISA Compliance. The Company and its subsidiaries and any
"employee benefit plan" (as defined under the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations and published
interpretations thereunder (collectively, "ERISA")) established or maintained by
the Company, its subsidiaries or their "ERISA Affiliates" (as defined below) are
in compliance in all material respects with ERISA. "ERISA Affiliate" means, with
respect to the Company or a subsidiary, any member of any group of organizations
described in Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder
(the "Code") of which the Company or such subsidiary is a member. No "reportable
event" (as defined under ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur
with respect to any "employee benefit plan" established or maintained by the
Company, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates. No "employee benefit
plan" established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their
ERISA Affiliates, if such "employee benefit plan" were terminated, would have
any "amount of unfunded benefit liabilities" (as defined under ERISA). Neither
the Company, its subsidiaries nor any of their ERISA Affiliates has incurred or
reasonably expects to incur any material liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA
with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any "employee benefit plan"
or (ii) Sections 412, 4971, 4975 or 4980B of the Code. Each "employee benefit
plan" established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their
ERISA Affiliates that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the
Code is so qualified and nothing has occurred, whether by action or failure to
act, which would cause the loss of such qualification.

                                       -8-

<PAGE>   13
               (bb) Reorganization Agreements. Each of the Company, the Parent
and the other parties thereto had full legal right, power and authority to enter
into the Reorganization Agreements and to perform the transactions contemplated
thereby. The Reorganization Agreements were duly authorized and executed by the
Company and the Parent, and to their knowledge, the other parties thereto, and
constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company and the Parent, and to
their knowledge, the other parties thereto, enforceable in accordance with their
respective terms, except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or other similar
laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally or by general
equitable principles, and the transactions contemplated thereby have been
consummated. The execution and performance of the Reorganization Agreements by
the Company and the Parent, and to their knowledge, the other parties thereto,
and the consummation of the transactions therein contemplated has not violated
and will not violate any provision of the charter or bylaws, or other
organizational documents, of the Company or Parent, or to their knowledge, the
other parties thereto, and has not resulted and will not result in an a breach
or violation of, or constitute, either by itself or upon notice or the passage
of time or both, a default under any material agreement, mortgage, deed of
trust, lease, franchise, license, indenture, permit or other instrument to which
the Company or Parent or, to their knowledge, the other parties thereto is a
party or by which the Company or Parent or, to their knowledge, the other
parties thereto or any of their respective property may be bound or affected,
any statute or any authorization, judgment, decree, order, rule or regulation of
any court or any regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental
body applicable to the Company or Parent or, to their knowledge, the other
parties thereto or any of their respective property, except for such violations,
breaches and defaults that individually or in the aggregate would not result in
a Material Adverse Change. Each consent, approval or authorization or other
order of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental
body required for the delivery of the Reorganization Agreements or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby was obtained, except for
any such consent, approval, authorization or order the failure to have so
obtained has not resulted and will not result in a Material Adverse Change.

               Any certificate signed by an officer of the Company or the Parent
and delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be
deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company or the Parent to each
Underwriter as to the matters set forth therein.

SECTION 2.     PURCHASE, SALE AND DELIVERY OF THE COMMON SHARES.

        The Firm Common Shares. On the basis of the agreements of the several
Underwriters contained herein, the Company agrees to issue and sell to the
several Underwriters the Firm Common Shares upon the terms herein set forth. On
the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained,
and upon the terms but subject to the conditions herein set forth, the
Underwriters agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company the
respective number of Firm Common Shares set forth opposite their names on
Schedule A. The purchase price per Firm Common Share to be paid by the several
Underwriters to the Company shall be $____ per share.

        The First Closing Date. Delivery of certificates for the Firm Common
Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters and payment therefor shall be made at
the offices of NationsBanc Montgomery Securities, Inc., 600 Montgomery Street,
San Francisco, California (or such other place as may be agreed to by the
Company and the Representatives) at 6:00 a.m. San Francisco time, on December
__, 1997, or such other time and date not later than 10:30 a.m. San Francisco
time, on December __, 1997 as the Representatives shall designate by notice to
the Company (the time and date of such closing are called the "First Closing
Date"). The Company hereby acknowledges that circumstances under which

                                       -9-

<PAGE>   14
the Representatives may provide notice to postpone the First Closing Date as
originally scheduled include, but are in no way limited to, any determination by
the Company or the Representatives to recirculate to the public copies of an
amended or supplemented Prospectus or a delay as contemplated by the provisions
of Section 10.

        The Optional Common Shares; the Second Closing Date. In addition, on the
basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, and
upon the terms but subject to the conditions herein set forth, the Company
hereby grants an option to the several Underwriters to purchase, severally and
not jointly, up to an aggregate of 360,000 Optional Common Shares from the
Company at the purchase price per share to be paid by the Underwriters for the
Firm Common Shares. The option granted hereunder is for use by the Underwriters
solely in covering any over-allotments in connection with the sale and
distribution of the Firm Common Shares. The option granted hereunder may be
exercised at any time (but not more than once) upon notice by the
Representatives to the Company, which notice may be given at any time within
thirty (30) days after the date of this Agreement. Such notice shall set forth
(i) the aggregate number of Optional Common Shares as to which the Underwriters
are exercising the option, (ii) the names and denominations in which the
certificates for the Optional Common Shares are to be registered and (iii) the
time, date and place at which such certificates will be delivered (which time
and date may be simultaneous with, but not earlier than, the First Closing Date;
and in such case the term "First Closing Date" shall refer to the time and date
of delivery of certificates for the Firm Common Shares and the Optional Common
Shares). Such time and date of delivery, if subsequent to the First Closing
Date, is called the "Second Closing Date" and shall be determined by the
Representatives and shall not be earlier than three (3) nor later than five (5)
full business days after delivery of such notice of exercise. If any Optional
Common Shares are to be purchased, each Underwriter agrees, severally and not
jointly, to purchase the number of Optional Common Shares (subject to such
adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as the Representatives may determine)
that bears the same proportion to the total number of Optional Common Shares to
be purchased as the number of Firm Common Shares set forth on Schedule A
opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Firm Common
Shares. The Representatives may cancel the option at any time prior to its
expiration by giving written notice of such cancellation to the Company.

        Public Offering of the Common Shares. The Representatives hereby advise
the Company that the Underwriters intend to offer for sale to the public, as
described in the Prospectus, their respective portions of the Common Shares as
soon after this Agreement has been executed and the Registration Statement has
been declared effective as the Representatives, in their sole judgment, have
determined is advisable and practicable.

        Payment for the Common Shares. Payment for the Common Shares shall be
made at the First Closing Date (and, if applicable, at the Second Closing Date)
by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the order of the Company.

        It is understood that the Representatives have been authorized, for
their own account and the accounts of the several Underwriters, to accept
delivery of and receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the
Firm Common Shares and any Optional Common Shares the Underwriters have agreed
to purchase. NationsBanc Montgomery Securities, Inc., individually and not as a
Representative of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make
payment for any Common Shares to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds
shall not have been received by the Representatives by the First Closing Date or
the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, for the account of such
Underwriter,

                                      -10-

<PAGE>   15
but any such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from any of its
obligations under this Agreement.

        Delivery of the Common Shares. The Company shall deliver, or cause to be
delivered, to the Representatives for the accounts of the several Underwriters
certificates for the Firm Common Shares at the First Closing Date, against the
irrevocable release of a wire transfer of immediately available funds for the
amount of the purchase price therefor. The Company shall also deliver, or cause
to be delivered, to the Representatives for the accounts of the several
Underwriters, certificates for the Optional Common Shares the Underwriters have
agreed to purchase at the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the
case may be, against the irrevocable release of a wire transfer of immediately
available funds for the amount of the purchase price therefor. The certificates
for the Common Shares shall be in definitive form and registered in such names
and denominations as the Representatives shall have requested at least two (2)
full business days prior to the First Closing Date (or the Second Closing Date,
as the case may be) and shall be made available for inspection on the business
day preceding the First Closing Date (or the Second Closing Date, as the case
may be) at a location in New York City as the Representatives may designate.
Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place specified in
this Agreement is a further condition to the obligations of the Underwriters.

        Delivery of Prospectus to the Underwriters. Not later than 12:00 p.m. on
the second business day following the date the Common Shares are released by the
Underwriters for sale to the public, the Company shall delivery or cause to be
delivered copies of the Prospectus in such quantities and at such places as the
Representatives shall request.

SECTION 3. ADDITIONAL COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY AND THE PARENT. The Company and
the Parent each further covenants and agrees with each Underwriter as follows:

               (a) Representatives' Review of Proposed Amendments and
Supplements. During such period beginning on the date hereof and ending on the
later of the First Closing Date or such date, as in the opinion of counsel for
the Underwriters, the Prospectus is no longer required by law to be delivered in
connection with sales by an Underwriter or dealer (the "Prospectus Delivery
Period"), prior to amending or supplementing the Registration Statement
(including any registration statement filed under Rule 462(b) under the
Securities Act) or the Prospectus, the Company shall furnish to the
Representatives for review a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement,
and the Company shall not file any such proposed amendment or supplement to
which the Representatives reasonably object.

               (b) Securities Act Compliance. After the date of this Agreement,
the Company shall promptly advise the Representatives in writing (i) of the
receipt of any comments of, or requests for additional or supplemental
information from, the Commission with respect to the Registration Statement or
any post-effective amendment thereto, (ii) of the time and date of any filing of
any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or
supplement to any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, (iii) of the time
and date that any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement becomes
effective, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending
the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment
thereto or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary
prospectus or the Prospectus, or (v) during the six month period following the
date hereof, of any proceedings to remove, suspend or terminate from listing or
quotation the Common Stock from any securities exchange upon which it is listed
for trading or included or designated for quotation, or, to the extent of the
Company's knowledge thereof, of the threatening or initiation of any proceedings
for any of such purposes. If the Commission

                                      -11-

<PAGE>   16
shall enter any such stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto at any time, the Company will
use its best efforts to obtain the lifting of such order at the earliest
possible moment. Additionally, the Company agrees that with respect to the
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto that it shall
comply with the provisions of Rules 424(b), 430A and 434, as applicable, under
the Securities Act and will use its reasonable efforts to confirm that any
filings made by the Company under such Rule 424(b) were received in a timely
manner by the Commission.

               (c) Amendments and Supplements to the Prospectus and Other
Securities Act Matters. If, during the Prospectus Delivery Period, any event
shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or
supplement the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light
of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not
misleading, or if in the reasonable opinion of the Representatives or counsel
for the Underwriters it is otherwise necessary to amend or supplement the
Prospectus to comply with law, the Company agrees to promptly prepare (subject
to Section 3(a) hereof), file with the Commission and furnish at its own expense
to the Underwriters and to dealers, amendments or supplements to the Prospectus
so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not,
in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a
purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented,
will comply with law in all material respects.

               (d) Copies of any Amendments and Supplements to the Prospectus.
The Company agrees to furnish the Representatives, without charge, during the
Prospectus Delivery Period, as many copies of the Prospectus and any amendments
and supplements thereto as the Representatives may reasonably request.

               (e) Blue Sky Compliance. The Company shall cooperate with the
Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters to qualify or register the
Common Shares for sale under (or obtain exemptions from the application of) the
state securities or blue sky laws or Canadian provincial securities laws of
those jurisdictions designated by the Representatives, shall comply with such
laws and shall continue such qualifications, registrations and exemptions in
effect so long as required for the distribution of the Common Shares. The
Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation where it is
not so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to general service
of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not so subject or where it would
be subject to taxation as a foreign corporation where it is not so subject. The
Company will advise the Representatives promptly of the suspension of the
qualification or registration of (or any such exemption relating to) the Common
Shares for offering, sale or trading in any jurisdiction or any initiation or
threat of any proceeding for any such purpose known to it, and in the event of
the issuance of any order suspending such qualification, registration or
exemption, the Company shall use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal
thereof at the earliest possible moment.

               (f) Use of Proceeds. The Company shall apply the net proceeds
from the sale of the Common Shares sold by it in the manner described under the
caption "Use of Proceeds" in the Prospectus.

               (g) Transfer Agent. The Company shall engage and maintain, at its
expense, a registrar and transfer agent for the Common Stock.

                                      -12-

<PAGE>   17
               (h) Earnings Statement. As soon as practicable, the Company will
make generally available to its security holders and to the Representatives an
earnings statement (which need not be audited) covering the twelve-month period
beginning after the effective date of the Registration Statement that satisfies
the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act.

               (i) Periodic Reporting Obligations. During the Prospectus
Delivery Period the Company shall file, on a timely basis, with the Commission
and the Nasdaq National Market all reports and documents required to be filed
under the Exchange Act. Additionally, the Company shall file with the Commission
all reports on Form SR as may be required under Rule 463 under the Securities
Act.

               (j) Agreement Not To Offer or Sell Additional Securities. From
and after the date hereof and continuing through the close of trading on the
date 180 days following the date of the Prospectus, the Company and the Parent
will not, without the prior written consent of NationsBanc Montgomery
Securities, Inc. (which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities, Inc.), directly or indirectly, sell, offer,
contract or grant any option to sell (including without limitation any short
sale), pledge, transfer, establish an open "put equivalent position" within the
meaning of Rule 16a-1(h) under the Exchange Act, or otherwise dispose of or
transfer, or announce the offering of, or file any registration statement under
the Securities Act in respect of, any shares of Common Stock, options or
warrants to acquire shares of the Common Stock or securities exchangeable or
exercisable for or convertible into shares of Common Stock currently or
hereafter owned either of record or beneficially (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under
the Exchange Act) (other than as contemplated by this Agreement with respect to
the Common Shares); provided, however, that the Company may issue shares of its
Common Stock or options to purchase its Common Stock, or Common Stock upon
exercise of options, pursuant to any stock option or stock plan or purchase plan
described in the Prospectus, but only if the holders of such shares, options, or
shares issued upon exercise of such options, agree in writing not to sell,
offer, dispose of or otherwise transfer any such shares or options during such
180 day period without the prior written consent of NationsBanc Montgomery
Securities, Inc. (which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of the
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities, Inc.) and provided that the Parent may pledge
shares of Common Stock as collateral for corporate borrowings provided that
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities, Inc. is given notice of such pledge and the
lender agrees to be bound by the restrictions contained in this Section 3(j) to
the same extent as the Parent.

               (k) Future Reports to the Representatives. During the period of
five (5) years hereafter the Company will furnish to NationsBanc Montgomery
Securities, Inc., at 600 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111 Attention:
Clark Gerhardt and to Cowen & Company, 4 Embarcadero Center, Suite 1200, San
Francisco, CA 94111 Attention: Jeffrey Harmon: (i) as soon as reasonably
practicable after the end of each fiscal year, copies of the Annual Report of
the Company containing the balance sheet of the Company as of the close of such
fiscal year and statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for
the year then ended and the opinion thereon of the Company's independent public
or certified public accountants; (ii) as soon as reasonably practicable after
the filing thereof, copies of each proxy statement, Annual Report on Form 10-K,
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Current Report on Form 8-K or other report filed
by the Company with the Commission, the NASD or any securities exchange; and
(iii) as soon as available, copies of any report or communication of the Company
mailed generally to holders of its capital stock.

SECTION 4. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES. The Company and the Parent, jointly and
severally, agree to pay all costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with
the performance of their obligations

                                      -13-

<PAGE>   18
hereunder and in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including
without limitation (i) all expenses incident to the issuance and delivery of the
Common Shares (including all printing and engraving costs), (ii) all fees and
expenses of the registrar and transfer agent of the Common Stock, (iii) all
necessary issue, transfer and other stamp taxes in connection with the issuance
and sale of the Common Shares to the Underwriters, (iv) all fees and expenses of
the Company's counsel, independent public or certified pubic accountants and
other advisors, (v) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
preparation, printing, filing, shipping and distribution of the Registration
Statement (including financial statements, exhibits, schedules, consents and
certificates of experts), each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus, and
all amendments and supplements thereto, and this Agreement, (vi) all filing
fees, attorneys' fees and reasonable expenses incurred by the Company or the
Underwriters in connection with qualifying or registering (or obtaining
exemptions from the qualification or registration of) all or any part of the
Common Shares for offer and sale under the state securities or blue sky laws or
the provincial securities laws of Canada, and, if requested by the
Representatives, preparing and printing a "Blue Sky Survey" or memorandum, and
any supplements thereto, advising the Underwriters of such qualifications,
registrations and exemptions, (vii) the filing fees incident to, and the
reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with,
the NASD's review and approval of the Underwriters' participation in the
offering and distribution of the Common Shares, (viii) the fees and expenses
associated with listing the Common Shares on the Nasdaq National Market, and
(ix) all other fees, costs and expenses referred to in Item 14 of Part II of the
Registration Statement. Except as provided in Sections 4, 6, 8 and 9 of this
Agreement, it is understood that the Underwriters shall pay their own expenses,
including the fees of their counsel.

SECTION 5. CONDITIONS OF THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE UNDERWRITERS. The obligations of
the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Common Shares as provided
herein on the First Closing Date and, with respect to the Optional Common
Shares, the Second Closing Date, shall be subject to the accuracy of the
representations and warranties on the part of the Company and the Parent set
forth in Section 1 hereof as of the date hereof and as of the First Closing Date
as though then made and, with respect to the Optional Common Shares, as of the
Second Closing Date as though then made, to the timely performance in all
material respects by the Company and the Parent of their respective covenants
and other obligations hereunder, and to each of the following additional
conditions:

               (a) Accountants' Comfort Letter. On the date hereof, the
Representatives shall have received from Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P., independent
public or certified public accountants for the Company, a letter dated the date
hereof addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Representatives, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily
included in accountant's "comfort letters" to underwriters, delivered according
to Statement of Auditing Standards No. 72 (or any successor bulletin), with
respect to the audited and unaudited financial statements and certain financial
information contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (and the
Representatives shall have received an additional number of conformed copies of
such accountants' letter for each of the several Underwriters reasonably
requested by the Representatives). Such letter shall also include a statement by
Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P. that they have performed the procedures set forth in
Statement of Auditing Standards No. 71 (or any successor bulletin), with respect
to each of the fiscal quarters for which information is provided in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

               (b) Compliance with Registration Requirements; No Stop Order; No
Objection from NASD. For the period from and after effectiveness of this
Agreement and prior to the First Closing Date and, with respect to the Optional
Common Shares, the Second Closing Date:

                                      -14-

<PAGE>   19
                      (i) the Company shall have filed the Prospectus with the
Commission (including the information required by Rule 430A under the Securities
Act) in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) under the
Securities Act; or the Company shall have filed a post-effective amendment to
the Registration Statement containing the information required by such Rule
430A, and such post-effective amendment shall have become effective; or, if the
Company elected to rely upon Rule 434 under the Securities Act and obtained the
Representatives' consent thereto, the Company shall have filed a Term Sheet with
the Commission in the manner and within the time period required by such Rule
424(b);

                      (ii) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or any
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, shall be in effect and
no proceedings for such purpose shall have been instituted or threatened by the
Commission; and

                      (iii) the NASD shall have raised no objection to the
fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements.

               (c) No Material Adverse Change or Ratings Agency Change. For the
period from and after the date of this Agreement and prior to the First Closing
Date and, with respect to the Optional Common Shares, the Second Closing Date:

                      (i) in the judgment of the Representatives there shall not
have occurred any Material Adverse Change; and

                      (ii) there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor
shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential downgrading or of
any review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the
possible change, in the rating accorded any securities of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries by any "nationally recognized statistical rating organization"
as such term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act.

               (d) Opinion of Counsel for the Company. On each of the First
Closing Date and the Second Closing Date the Representatives shall have received
an opinion of Dechert Price & Rhoads, counsel for the Company, dated as of such
Closing Date, in the form attached as Exhibit A, with such qualifications and
limitations which are customary in the judgment of counsel for the Underwriters,
(and the Representatives shall have received an additional number of signed
copies of such counsel's legal opinion for each of the several Underwriters).

               (e) Opinion of Counsel for the Underwriters. On each of the First
Closing Date and the Second Closing Date the Representatives shall have received
an opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C., counsel for the
Underwriters, dated as of such Closing Date, with respect to the matters set
forth in paragraphs (i), (vii) (with respect to subparagraph (i) only), (viii)
(with respect to due authorization, execution and delivery of the Underwriting
Agreement only), (ix), (x) (to such counsel's knowledge, with respect to the
first two sentences only), (xi) and (xiii) (with respect to the caption
"Underwriting" only) and the next-to-last paragraph of Exhibit A (and the
Representatives shall have received an additional number of conformed copies of
such counsel's legal opinion for each of the several Underwriters as reasonably
requested by the Representatives).

                                      -15-

<PAGE>   20
               (f) Officers' Certificate. On each of the First Closing Date and
the Second Closing Date the Representatives shall have received a written
certificate executed by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or
President of the Company and the Parent and the Chief Financial Officer or Chief
Accounting Officer of the Company and the Parent, dated as of such Closing Date,
to the effect set forth in subsections (b)(ii) and (c)(ii) of this Section 5,
and further to the effect that:

                      (i) for the period from and after the date of this
Agreement and prior to such Closing Date, there has not occurred any Material
Adverse Change;

                      (ii) the representations, warranties and covenants of the
Company and the Parent set forth in Section 1 of this Agreement are true and
correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made on and as of
such Closing Date; and

                      (iii) the Company and the Parent have complied with all
the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on their part to be performed or
satisfied at or prior to such Closing Date.

               (g) Bring-down Comfort Letter. On each of the First Closing Date
and the Second Closing Date the Representatives shall have received from Coopers
& Lybrand L.L.P., independent public or certified public accountants for the
Company, a letter dated such date, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Representatives, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the
letter furnished by them pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 5, except
that the specified date referred to therein for the carrying out of procedures
shall be no more than three (3) business days prior to the First Closing Date or
Second Closing Date, as the case may be (and the Representatives shall have
received an additional number of conformed copies of such accountants' letter
for each of the several Underwriters as reasonably requested by the
Representatives).

               (h) Lock-Up Agreements from Directors and Officers. On the date
hereof, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives an agreement in
the form of Exhibit B hereto from each director and officer of the Company and
such agreement shall be in full force and effect on each of the First Closing
Date and the Second Closing Date.

               (i) Additional Documents. On or before each of the First Closing
Date and the Second Closing Date, the Representatives and counsel for the
Underwriters shall have received such information, documents and opinions as
they may reasonably require for the purposes of enabling them to pass upon the
issuance and sale of the Common Shares as contemplated herein, or in order to
evidence the accuracy of any of the representations and warranties, or the
satisfaction of any of the conditions or agreements, herein contained.

        If any condition specified in this Section 5 is not satisfied when and
as required to be satisfied, this Agreement may be terminated by the
Representatives by notice to the Company at any time on or prior to the First
Closing Date and, with respect to the Optional Common Shares, at any time prior
to the Second Closing Date, which termination shall be without liability on the
part of any party to any other party, except that Section 4, Section 6, Section
8 and Section 9 shall at all times be effective and shall survive such
termination.

SECTION 6. REIMBURSEMENT OF UNDERWRITERS' EXPENSES. If this Agreement is
terminated by the Representatives pursuant to Section 5, Section 7, Section 10
or Section 11, or if the sale to the Underwriters of the Common Shares on the
First Closing Date is not consummated because of any

                                      -16-

<PAGE>   21
refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company or the Parent to
perform any agreement herein or to comply with any provision hereof, the Company
and the Parent, jointly and severally, agree to reimburse the Representatives
and the other Underwriters (or such Underwriters as have terminated this
Agreement with respect to themselves), severally, upon demand for all
out-of-pocket expenses that shall have been reasonably incurred by the
Representatives and the Underwriters in connection with the proposed purchase
and the offering and sale of the Common Shares, including but not limited to
fees and disbursements of counsel, travel expenses, postage, facsimile and
telephone charges.

SECTION 7.     EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS AGREEMENT.

        This Agreement shall not become effective until the later of (i) the
execution of this Agreement by the parties hereto and (ii) notification by the
Commission to the Company and the Representatives of the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement under the Securities Act.

        Prior to such effectiveness, this Agreement may be terminated by any
party by notice to each of the other parties hereto, and any such termination
shall be without liability on the part of (a) the Company or the Parent to any
Underwriter, except that the Company and the Parent shall be obligated to
reimburse the expenses of the Representatives and the Underwriters pursuant to
Sections 4 and 6 hereof, (b) any Underwriter to the Company or the Parent, or
(c) any party hereto to any other party except that the provisions of Section 8
and Section 9 shall at all times be effective and shall survive such
termination.

SECTION 8.     INDEMNIFICATION.

               (a) Indemnification of the Underwriters. The Company and the
Parent, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each
Underwriter, its officers and employees, and each person, if any, who controls
any Underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act
against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which
such Underwriter or such controlling person may become subject, under the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state statutory law or
regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any
litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the
Company), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions
in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based (i) upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
Registration Statement, or any amendment thereto, including any information
deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430A or Rule 434 under the
Securities Act, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading; or (ii) upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any
amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom
of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or (iii)
in whole or in part upon any inaccuracy in the representations and warranties of
the Company or the Parent contained herein; or (iv) in whole or in part upon any
failure of the Company or the Parent to perform its obligations hereunder or
under law; and to reimburse each Underwriter and each such controlling person
for any and all expenses (including the fees and disbursements of one counsel
chosen by NationsBanc Montgomery Securities, Inc.) as such expenses are
reasonably incurred by such Underwriter or such controlling person in connection
with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss,
claim, damage, liability, expense or action; provided, however, that neither the
Company nor Parent shall be liable for any loss, claim, damage, liability or
expense to

                                      -17-

<PAGE>   22
the extent, but only to the extent, arising out of or based upon any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company by the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement,
any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto); and provided, further, that with respect to any preliminary
prospectus, the foregoing indemnity agreement shall not inure to the benefit of
any Underwriter from whom the person asserting any loss, claim, damage,
liability or expense purchased Common Shares, or any person controlling such
Underwriter, if copies of the Prospectus were timely delivered to the
Underwriter pursuant to Section 2 and a copy of the Prospectus (as then amended
or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or
supplements thereto) was not sent or given by or on behalf of such Underwriter
to such person, if required by law so to have been delivered, at or prior to the
written confirmation of the sale of the Common Shares to such person, and if the
Prospectus (as so amended or supplemented) would have cured the defect giving
rise to such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense. The indemnity agreement
set forth in this Section 8(a) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the
Company or the Parent may otherwise have. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Parent
shall not be required to make any payment required by any provisions of this
Agreement unless the parties seeking payment have demanded payment in writing
from the Company (with a copy provided to Parent) and the Company has refused to
make such payment or failed to make such payment in full within thirty (30) days
from the date of such demand. The Company and the Parent may agree, as among
themselves and without limiting the rights of the Underwriters under this
Agreement, as to their respective amounts of liability for which they each shall
be responsible hereunder.

               (b) Indemnification of the Company and the Parent. Each
Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless
the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signed the
Registration Statement, the Parent and each person, if any, who controls the
Company or the Parent within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange
Act, against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to
which the Company or any such director, officer, the Parent or controlling
person thereof may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act,
or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or
otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is
effected with the written consent of such Underwriter), insofar as such loss,
claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as
contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon any untrue or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any
preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto), or arises out of or is based upon the omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to
the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission
or alleged omission was made in the Registration Statement, any preliminary
prospectus, the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the
Representatives expressly for use therein; and to reimburse the Company, or any
such director, officer, the Parent or controlling person for any legal and other
expense reasonably incurred by the Company, or any such director, officer, the
Parent or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending,
settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability,
expense or action. Each of the Company and the Parent hereby acknowledges that
the only information that the Underwriters have furnished to the Company
expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or
the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) are the statements set
forth (A) as the last paragraph on the inside front cover page of the Prospectus
concerning stabilization by the Underwriters and (B) in the table in the first
paragraph and as to the second, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth
paragraphs under the caption

                                      -18-

<PAGE>   23
"Underwriting" in the Prospectus; and the Underwriters confirm that such
statements are correct. The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 8(b)
shall be in addition to any liabilities that each Underwriter may otherwise
have.

               (c) Notifications and Other Indemnification Procedures. Promptly
after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of the
commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect
thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under this Section 8, notify
the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof, but the omission
so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which
it may have to any indemnified party for contribution or otherwise than under
the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 8 or to the extent it is not
prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure. In case any such action is
brought against any indemnified party and such indemnified party seeks or
intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying party, the indemnifying party
will be entitled to participate in, and, to the extent that it shall elect,
jointly with all other indemnifying parties similarly notified, by written
notice delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid
notice from such indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel
reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however, if the
defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the
indemnifying party and the indemnified party (and, if the Underwriters are the
indemnified party, counsel for such Underwriters) shall have reasonably
concluded that a conflict may arise between the positions of the indemnifying
party and the indemnified party in conducting the defense of any such action or
that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified
parties which are different from or additional to those available to the
indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to
select one separate counsel to assume such legal defenses and to otherwise
participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or
parties. Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified
party of such indemnifying party's election so to assume the defense of such
action and approval by the indemnified party of counsel (which approval shall
not be unreasonably withheld), the indemnifying party will not be liable to such
indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense
thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in
accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood,
however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of
more than one separate counsel (together with local counsel), approved by the
indemnifying party (NationsBanc Montgomery Securities, Inc. in the case of
Section 8(b) and Section 9), representing the indemnified parties who are
parties to such action) or (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed
counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the
indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the
action, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the
expense of the indemnifying party (it being understood, however, that the
indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one
separate counsel (together with local counsel), approved by the indemnifying
party (NationsBanc Montgomery Securities, Inc. in the case of Section 8(b) and
Section 9), representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such
action).

               (d) Settlements. The indemnifying party under this Section 8
shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its
written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final
judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the
indemnified party against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by
reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence,
if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party
to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as
contemplated by Section 8(c) hereof, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall
be liable for any

                                      -19-

<PAGE>   24
settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such
settlement is entered into more than sixty (60) days after receipt by such
indemnifying party of the aforesaid request and (ii) such indemnifying party
shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party, or provided the indemnified
party with reasonable assurances in writing that it will reimburse the
indemnified party, in accordance with such request prior to the date of such
settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of
the indemnified party, effect any settlement, compromise or consent to the entry
of judgment in any pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding in respect
of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity was
or could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such
settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of such
indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of
such action, suit or proceeding.

SECTION 9.     CONTRIBUTION.

        If the indemnification provided for in Section 8 is for any reason held
to be unavailable to or otherwise insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified
party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses
referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the
aggregate amount paid or payable by such indemnified party, as incurred, as a
result of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to
therein (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the
other hand, from the offering of the Common Shares pursuant to this Agreement or
(ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by
applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the
relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of
the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in
connection with the statements or omissions or inaccuracies in the
representations and warranties herein which resulted in such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand,
and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the
Common Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same
respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Common
Shares pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the
Company, and the total underwriting discount received by the Underwriters, in
each case as set forth on the front cover page of the Prospectus (or, if Rule
434 under the Securities Act is used, the corresponding location on the Term
Sheet) bear to the aggregate initial public offering price of the Common Shares
as set forth on such cover. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand,
and the Underwriters, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact or any
such inaccurate or alleged inaccurate representation or warranty relates to
information supplied by the Company, on the one hand, or the Underwriters, on
the other hand, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

        The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims,
damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include,
subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8(c), any legal or other fees or
expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or
defending any action or claim. The provisions set forth in Section 8(c) with
respect to notice of commencement of any action shall apply if a claim for
contribution is to be made under this Section 9; provided, however, that no
additional notice shall be required with respect to any action for which notice
has been given under Section 8(c) for purposes of indemnification.

                                      -20-

<PAGE>   25
        The Company, the Parent and the Underwriters agree that it would not be
just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were determined by
pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for
such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account
of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 9.

        Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, no Underwriter shall
be required to contribute any amount in excess of the underwriting commissions
received by such Underwriter in connection with the Common Shares underwritten
by it and distributed to the public. No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters' obligations to contribute
pursuant to this Section 9 are several, and not joint, in proportion to their
respective underwriting commitments as set forth opposite their names in
Schedule A. For purposes of this Section 9, each officer and employee of an
Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the
meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to
contribution as such Underwriter, and each director of the Company, each officer
of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any,
who controls the Company and the Parent with the meaning of the Securities Act
and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company
and the Parent.

SECTION 10. DEFAULT OF ONE OR MORE OF THE SEVERAL UNDERWRITERS. If, on the First
Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, any one or more of
the several Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Common Shares that it
or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and the aggregate number
of Common Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but
failed or refused to purchase does not exceed 10% of the aggregate number of the
Common Shares to be purchased on such date, the other Underwriters shall be
obligated, severally, in the proportions that the number of Firm Common Shares
set forth opposite their respective names on Schedule A bears to the aggregate
number of Firm Common Shares set forth opposite the names of all such
non-defaulting Underwriters, or in such other proportions as may be specified by
the Representatives with the consent of the non-defaulting Underwriters, to
purchase the Common Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters
agreed but failed or refused to purchase on such date. If, on the First Closing
Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, any one or more of the
Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Common Shares and the aggregate
number of Common Shares with respect to which such default occurs exceeds 10% of
the aggregate number of Common Shares to be purchased on such date, and
arrangements satisfactory to the Representatives and the Company for the
purchase of such Common Shares are not made within 48 hours after such default,
this Agreement shall terminate without liability of any party to any other party
except that the provisions of Section 4, Section 6, Section 8 and Section 9
shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination. In any such
case either the Representatives or the Company shall have the right to postpone
the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, but in no
event for longer than seven (7) days in order that the required changes, if any,
to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or any other documents or
arrangements may be effected.

        As used in this Agreement, the term "Underwriter" shall be deemed to
include any person substituted for a defaulting Underwriter under this Section
10. Any action taken under this Section 10 shall not relieve any defaulting
Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under
this Agreement.

                                      -21-

<PAGE>   26
SECTION 11. TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT. Prior to the First Closing Date this
Agreement maybe terminated by the Representatives by notice given to the Company
and the Parent if at any time (i) trading or quotation in any of the Company's
securities shall have been suspended or limited by the Commission or by the
Nasdaq Stock Market or trading in securities generally on either the Nasdaq
Stock Market or the New York Stock Exchange shall have been suspended or
limited, or minimum or maximum prices shall have been generally established on
any of such stock exchanges by the Commission or the NASD; (ii) a general
banking moratorium shall have been declared by any of federal, New York,
Delaware or California authorities; (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak
or escalation of national or international hostilities or any crisis or
calamity, or any change in the United States or international financial markets,
or any substantial change or development involving a prospective substantial
change in United States' or international political, financial or economic
conditions, as in the judgment of the Representatives is material and adverse
and makes it impracticable to market the Common Shares in the manner and on the
terms described in the Prospectus or to enforce contracts for the sale of
securities; (iv) in the judgment of the Representatives there shall have
occurred any Material Adverse Change; or (v) the Company shall have sustained a
loss by strike, fire, flood, earthquake, accident or other calamity of such
character as in the judgment of the Representatives may interfere materially
with the conduct of the business and operations of the Company regardless of
whether or not such loss shall have been insured. Any termination pursuant to
this Section 11 shall be without liability on the part of (a) the Company or the
Parent to any Underwriter, except that the Company and the Parent shall be
obligated to reimburse the expenses of the Representatives and the Underwriters
pursuant to Sections 4 and 6 hereof, (b) any Underwriter to the Company or the
Parent, or (c) of any party hereto to any other party except that the provisions
of Section 8 and Section 9 shall at all times be effective and shall survive
such termination.

SECTION 12. REPRESENTATIONS AND INDEMNITIES TO SURVIVE DELIVERY. The respective
indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the
Company, the Parent, their respective officers and of the several Underwriters
set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and
effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter,
the Company, or the Parent or any of its or their partners, officers or
directors or any controlling person, as the case may be, and will survive
delivery of and payment for the Common Shares sold hereunder and any termination
of this Agreement.

SECTION 13. NOTICES. All communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall
be mailed, hand delivered or telecopied and confirmed to the parties hereto as
follows:

If to the Representatives:

    NationsBanc Montgomery Securities, Inc.    Cowen & Company
    600 Montgomery Street                      4 Embarcadero Center, Suite 1200
    San Francisco, California  94111           San Francisco, California  94111
    Facsimile:  415-249-5558                   Facsimile:  415-646-7357
    Attention:  Clark Gerhardt                 Attention:  Jeffrey Harmon

                                      -22-

<PAGE>   27
with a copy to:

        NationsBanc Montgomery Securities, Inc.
        600 Montgomery Street
        San Francisco, California  94111
        Facsimile:  (415) 249-5553
        Attention:  David A. Baylor, Esq.

If to the Company:

        Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc.
        1335 Terra Bella Avenue
        Mountain View, CA 94043
        Facsimile:  650-429-0212
        Attention:  Patrick L. Edsell

with a copy to:

        Dechert Price & Rhoads
        4000 Bell Atlantic Tower
        1717 Arch Street
        Philadelphia, PA  19103
        Attention:  Carmen J. Romano, Esq.

If to the Parent:

        Spectra-Physics Holdings USA, Inc.
        100 Webster Building
        3411 Silverside Road
        Wilmington, DE  19810
        Attn:  John J. Carney

with a copy to:

        Dechert Price & Rhoads
        4000 Bell Atlantic Tower
        1717 Arch Street
        Philadelphia, PA  19103
        Attention:  Carmen J. Romano, Esq.
and

        Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc.
        1335 Terra Bella Avenue
        Mountain View, CA 94043
        Facsimile:  650-429-0212
        Attention:  Patrick L. Edsell

                                      -23-

<PAGE>   28
Any party hereto may change the address for receipt of communications by giving
written notice to the others.

SECTION 14. SUCCESSORS. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the parties hereto, including any substitute Underwriters pursuant
to Section 10 hereof, and to the benefit of the employees, officers and
directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 8 and Section 9, and in
each case their respective successors and no other person will have any right or
obligation hereunder. The term "successors" shall not include any purchaser of
the Common Shares as such from any of the Underwriters merely by reason of such
purchase.

SECTION 15. PARTIAL UNENFORCEABILITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity
or enforceability of any other Section, paragraph or provision hereof. If any
Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is for any reason determined
to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor
changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and
enforceable.

SECTION 16.    GOVERNING LAW PROVISIONS.

        (a) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE INTERNAL LAWS (AND NOT THE LAWS PERTAINING TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS) OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH
STATE.

        (b) Consent to Jurisdiction. Any legal suit, action or proceeding
arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby ("Related Proceedings") may be instituted in the federal courts of the
United States of America located in the City and County of San Francisco or the
courts of the State of California in each case located in the City and County of
San Francisco (collectively, the "Specified Courts"), and each party irrevocably
submits to the exclusive jurisdiction (except for proceedings instituted in
regard to the enforcement of a judgment of any such court (a "Related
Judgment"), as to which such jurisdiction is non-exclusive) of such courts in
any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or
document by mail to such party's address set forth above shall be effective
service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such
court. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the
laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts
and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any
such court that any such suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such
court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Parent irrevocably appoints the
Company as its agent to receive service of process or other legal summons for
purposes of any such suit, action or proceeding that may be instituted in any
state or federal court in the City and County of San Francisco.

        (c) Waiver of Immunity. With respect to any Related Proceeding, each
party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all
immunity (whether on the basis of sovereignty or otherwise) from jurisdiction,
service of process, attachment (both before and after judgment) and execution to
which it might otherwise be entitled in the Specified Courts, and with respect
to any Related Judgment, each party waives any such immunity in the Specified
Courts or any other court of competent jurisdiction, and will not raise or claim
or cause to be pleaded any such immunity at or in respect of any such Related
Proceeding or Related Judgment, including, without limitation, any immunity
pursuant to the United States Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976, as
amended.

                                      -24-

<PAGE>   29
SECTION 17. GENERAL PROVISIONS. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or oral and
all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations with
respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be executed in
counterparts, each one of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if
the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. This Agreement
may not be amended or modified unless in writing by all of the parties hereto,
and no condition herein (express or implied) may be waived unless waived in
writing by each party whom the condition is meant to benefit. The Table of
Contents and the Section headings herein are for the convenience of the parties
only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

        Each of the parties hereto acknowledges that it is a sophisticated
business person who was adequately represented by counsel during negotiations
regarding the provisions hereof, including, without limitation, the
indemnification provisions of Section 8 and the contribution provisions of
Section 9, and is fully informed regarding said provisions. Each of the parties
hereto further acknowledges that the provisions of Sections 8 and 9 hereto
fairly allocate the risks in light of the ability of the parties to investigate
the Company, its affairs and its business in order to assure that adequate
disclosure has been made in the Registration Statement, any preliminary
prospectus and the Prospectus (and any amendments and supplements thereto), as
required by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.

                                      -25-

<PAGE>   30
        If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our
agreement, kindly sign and return to the Company the enclosed copies hereof,
whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts hereof, shall become a
binding agreement in accordance with its terms.

                                            Very truly yours,

                                            SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.



                                            By:
                                               -------------------------------
                                                   Patrick L. Edsell
                                                   President

                                            SPECTRA-PHYSICS HOLDINGS USA, INC.



                                            By:
                                               -------------------------------
                                                   John J. Carney
                                                   President



        The foregoing Underwriting Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted by
the Representatives in San Francisco, California as of the date first above
written.

NATIONSBANC MONTGOMERY SECURITIES, INC.

COWEN & COMPANY

Acting as Representatives of the 
several Underwriters named in 
the attached Schedule A.



By:
      -------------------------------

Title:
      -------------------------------


                                      -26-


<PAGE>   31
                                   SCHEDULE A


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        NUMBER OF FIRM
                                                       COMMON SHARES TO
     UNDERWRITERS                                        BE PURCHASED
     ------------                                        ------------
<S>                                                    <C>
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities, Inc............         [________]
Cowen & Company...................................         [________]
                                                           [________]
                                                           [________]
                                                           [________]
                                                           [________]
                                                           [________]
                                                           [________]
                                                           [________]
                                                           [________]

        Total                                               2,400,000
</TABLE>



                                      -27-




<PAGE>   1
                                                                     Exhibit 5.1

                             DECHERT PRICE & RHOADS
                   4000 Bell Atlantic Tower, 1717 Arch Street
                             Philadelphia, PA 19103


                                December 10, 1997

Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc.
1335 Terra Bella Avenue
Mountain View, CA 94043

               Re:    2,760,000 Shares of Common Stock, as described in the
                      Registration Statement on Form S-1
                      (Registration No. 333-38329)

Gentlemen and Ladies:

               We have acted as your counsel in connection with the registration
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of an aggregate of 2,760,000
shares of your Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Shares") pursuant to
the above-referenced registration statement (the "Registration Statement"). The
Shares are to be sold pursuant to an underwriting agreement, (the "Underwriting
Agreement"), among Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc. (the "Company") and NationsBanc
Montgomery Securities, Inc. and Cowen & Company as representatives of the
several underwriters (the "Underwriters"), the form of which is included as
Exhibit 1.1 to the Registration Statement.

               We have participated in the preparation of the Registration
Statement and have reviewed the proposed form of the Underwriting Agreement, and
we have examined such corporate records and documents, certificates of officers
and matters of law as we have considered appropriate to enable us to give this
opinion.

               Based upon the foregoing, it is our opinion that the Shares have
been duly authorized and, when delivered to the Underwriters against payment
therefor in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, will be
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

               We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the caption
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus portion of the Registration Statement and to
the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement.

                                            Very truly yours,

                                            /s/ Dechert Price & Rhoads



<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 10.2

                                                               EXECUTION VERSION


                          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

                                       FOR

                                  COMMON STOCK

                             Dated December 8, 1997

                                  by and among

                          SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.

                                       AND

                       SPECTRA-PHYSICS HOLDINGS USA, INC.


<PAGE>   2
                 REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT FOR COMMON STOCK


               This Registration Rights Agreement for Common Stock (the
"Agreement") is made and entered into as of December 8, 1997, by and between
Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company") and
Spectra-Physics Holdings USA, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Spectra-Physics
USA").

               The Company desires to grant registration rights to
Spectra-Physics USA.

               NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration the receipt
and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree
as follows:

               1.     Definitions

               As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall
have the following meanings:

               "Affiliate" has the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 of the Rules
promulgated under the Exchange Act.

               "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

               "Common Stock" means (i) the common stock, par value $.01 per
share, of the Company and (ii) capital stock issued or issuable with respect to
the securities referred to in clause (i) by way of a stock dividend or stock
split, or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger,
consolidation or other reorganization.

               "Demand Registration" has the meaning set forth is
Section 4(a) of this Agreement.

               "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended from time to time.


             "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, trust or
unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision
thereof.

               "Prospectus" means the prospectus included in any Registration
Statement, as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement with respect
to the terms of the offering


<PAGE>   3
of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration
Statement and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including
post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference in such
Prospectus.

               "Registration Expenses" means the costs and expenses of all
registrations and qualifications under the Securities Act, and of all other
actions the Company is required to take in order to effect the registration of
Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement
(including all federal and state registration and filing fees, printing and
engraving expenses, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and the
fees and expenses of the Company's independent public accountants (including the
expenses of any special audit and "cold comfort" letters required by or incident
to such registration)), other than the costs and expenses of any holders whose
Registrable Securities are to be registered pursuant to this Agreement
comprising underwriters' commissions, brokerage fees, transfer taxes or the fees
and expenses of any attorneys, accountants or other representatives retained by
any such holders.

               "Registration Statement" means any registration statement of the
Company that covers any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions
of this Agreement, including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such
Registration Statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits and
all material incorporated by reference in such Registration Statement.

               "Registrable Securities" has the meaning set forth in
Section 2 of this Agreement.

               "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
from time to time.

               "Special Registration Statement" means a registration statement
on Forms S-8 or S-4 or any similar or successor form or any other registration
statement relating to an exchange offer or an offering of securities solely to
the Company's employees or security holders.

               "underwritten registration" or "underwritten offering" means a
registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for
reoffering to the public.


                                      - 2 -


<PAGE>   4
               2. Registrable Securities. The securities entitled to the
benefits of this Agreement are the Registrable Securities. As used herein,
"Registrable Securities" means Common Stock held by Spectra-Physics USA or its
affiliates on the date hereof or Common Stock acquired hereafter by
Spectra-Physics USA or its affiliates; provided, however, that each share of
Common Stock shall cease to be a Registrable Security when (i) it has been
effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance
with the registration statement covering it; (ii) it is distributed to the
public pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the
Securities Act; or (iii) it has otherwise been transferred and a new certificate
or other evidence of ownership for it and not subject to any stop transfer order
has been delivered by or on behalf of the Company and no other restriction on
transfer exists under the Securities Act.

               3.     Incidental Registration.

                      (a)    Right to Include Common Stock.  If the
Company at any time proposes to register any of its Common Stock under the
Securities Act (other than on a Special Registration Statement), whether or not
for sale for its own account, it will each such time give at least 30 days prior
written notice (the "Notice") to all holders of Registrable Securities of its
intention to file a registration statement under the Securities Act and of such
holders' rights under this Section 3. Upon the written request of any such
holders of Registrable Securities made within 15 days of the date of the Notice
(which request shall specify the aggregate number of the Registrable Securities
to be registered and will also specify the intended method of disposition
thereof), the Company will effect the registration under the Securities Act of
all Registrable Securities that the Company has been so requested to register by
the holders thereof (an "Incidental Registration"), to the extent required to
permit the public disposition (in accordance with such intended methods thereof)
of the Registrable Securities to be so registered; provided, that (i) if, any
time after giving written notice of its intention to register shares of Common
Stock and prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed in
connection with such registration, the Company shall determine for any reason
not to register the Company's Common Stock, the Company shall give written
notice of such determination to each holder of Registrable Securities and,
thereupon, shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable
Securities in connection with such registration (but not from its obligation to
pay the Registration Expenses in connection therewith); (ii) if a


                                      - 3 -


<PAGE>   5
registration requested pursuant to this Section 3 shall involve an underwritten
public offering, any holder of Registrable Securities requesting to be included
in such registration may elect, in writing at least 20 days prior to the
effective date of the registration statement filed in connection with such
registration, not to register such securities in connection with such
registration; and (iii) if, at any time after the 180-day or shorter period
specified in Section 3(b), the sale of the securities has not been completed,
the Company may withdraw from the registration on a pro rata basis (based on the
number of Registrable Securities requested by each holder of Registrable
Securities to be so registered) the Registrable Securities which the Company has
been requested to register and which have not been sold.

                      (b)    Priority in Incidental Registrations.  If a
registration pursuant to Section 3(a) involves an underwritten offering and the
managing underwriter advises the Company in writing that, in its opinion, the
total number of shares of Common Stock to be included in such registration,
including the Registrable Securities requested to be included pursuant to this
Section 3, exceeds the maximum number of shares of Common Stock specified by the
managing underwriter that may be distributed without adversely affecting the
price, timing or distribution of such shares of Common Stock, then the Company
shall include in such registration only such maximum number of Registrable
Securities which, in the reasonable opinion of such underwriter or underwriters,
can be sold in the following order of priority: (i) first, all of the shares of
Common Stock that the Company proposes to sell for its own account, if any, (ii)
second, the Registrable Securities of Spectra-Physics USA and its affiliates
requested to be included in such Incidental Registration, (iii) third, the
Registrable Securities of the other holder(s) of Registrable Securities
requested to be included in such Incidental Registration provided that such
amount shall be allocated among such holders on a pro rata basis based upon
their respective percentage of ownership of the total number of shares of Common
Stock then outstanding and (iv) the shares of Common Stock that other holders of
Common Stock have requested to be included in such Incidental Registration
provided that such amount shall be allocated among such holders on a pro rata
basis based upon their respective percentage of ownership of the total number of
shares of Common Stock then outstanding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an
Incidental Registration is an underwritten offering, the managing underwriter or
underwriters may select shares for inclusion, or exclude shares completely, in
such Incidental Registration on a basis other than


                                      - 4 -


<PAGE>   6
a pro rata basis if, in the reasonable opinion of such underwriter or
underwriters, selection on such other basis, or inclusion of such shares, would
be material to the success of the offering.

                      (c)    Expenses.  The Company will pay all
Registration Expenses in connection with any registration of Registrable
Securities requested pursuant to this Section 3.

                      (d)    Liability for Delay.  The Company shall not
be held responsible for any delay in the filing or processing of a registration
statement which includes any Registrable Securities due to requests by holders
of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 3 nor for any delay in
requesting the effectiveness of such registration statement.

                      (e)    Participation in Underwritten Registrations.
No holder of Registrable Securities may participate in any underwritten
registration hereunder unless such holder (i) agrees to sell his or its Common
Stock on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the
persons who have selected the underwriter and (ii) accurately completes in a
timely manner and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, underwriting
agreements and other documents customarily required under the terms of such
underwriting arrangements.

               4.     Demand Registration

                      (a)    Right to Demand Registration.  Subject to
Section 4(b) below, at any time and from time to time, each of (I)
Spectra-Physics USA and its affiliates and (II) the holders of at least 50% of
the Registrable Securities may request registration (a "Demand Registration
Request") under the Securities Act of all or part of their Registrable
Securities (which Demand Registration Request shall specify the intended number
of Registrable Securities to be disposed of by such holder and the intended
method of disposition thereof); provided, that the Company may, if the Board of
Directors so determines in the exercise of its reasonable judgment that due to a
pending or contemplated acquisition or disposition or public offering or other
similar occurrence it would be inadvisable to effect such Demand Registration at
such time, defer such Demand Registration for a single period not to exceed 180
days. Within ten days after receipt of any such Demand Registration Request, the
Company will give written notice of such requested registration to all other
holders of Registrable Securities and will include in such registration all
Registrable Securities with respect to which the



                                      - 5 -



<PAGE>   7
Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within 15 days after
the receipt of the Company's notice. All registrations requested pursuant to
this Section 4(a) are referred to herein as "Demand Registrations."

                      (b)    Number of Demand Registrations.  The holders
of Registrable Securities shall be entitled to make one or more Demand
Registration Requests at any time and from time to time; provided, that the
aggregate proceeds reasonably expected from the sale of Registrable Securities
(including Registrable Securities being sold by other holders of Registrable
Securities) pursuant to a Demand Registration are $2 million or more. The
Registration Expenses shall be borne by the Company.

                      (c)    Priority on Demand Registration.  If any of
the Registrable Securities proposed to be registered pursuant to a Demand
Registration are to be sold in a firm commitment underwritten offering and the
managing underwriter or underwriters of a Demand Registration advise the Company
and the holders of such Registrable Securities in writing that in its or their
reasonable opinion the number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be sold in
such Demand Registration exceeds the maximum number of shares specified by the
managing underwriter that may be distributed without adversely affecting the
price, timing or distribution of the Common Stock, the Company shall include in
such registration only such maximum number of Registrable Securities which, in
the reasonable opinion of such underwriter or underwriters can be sold in the
following order of priority: (i) first, the Registrable Securities requested to
be included in such Demand Registration held by the party delivering the Demand
Registration Request to the Company requesting such Demand Registration; (ii)
second, shares of Common Stock held by other holders requested to be included in
such Demand Registration, provided that such amount shall be allocated among
such other holders on a pro rata basis based upon their respective percentage of
ownership of the total number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding and
(iii) third, shares of Common Stock to be offered by the Company in such Demand
Registration.

               5. Registration Procedures. If and whenever the Company is
required to effect or cause the registration of any Registrable Securities under
the Securities Act as provided in this Agreement, the Company will, as
expeditiously as reasonably possible:



                                      - 6 -



<PAGE>   8
                      (a)    prepare and file with the Commission a
registration statement with respect to such Registrable Securities, and use its
best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective, provided,
however, that the Company may discontinue any registration of its securities
which is being effected pursuant to Section 3 herein at any time prior to the
effective date of the registration statement relating thereto;

                      (b)    prepare and file with the Commission such
amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus
used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration
statement effective for a period that will terminate when all Registrable
Securities covered by such registration statement have been sold (but not before
the expiration of the 40-day period referred to in Section 4(3) of the
Securities Act and Rule 174 thereunder, if applicable) and comply with the
provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all
securities covered by such registration statement during such period in
accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers
thereof set forth in such registration statement;

                      (c)    furnish to each seller of such Registrable
Securities such number of copies of such registration statement and of each such
amendment and supplement thereof (in each case including all exhibits), such
number of copies of the prospectus included in such registration statement
(including each preliminary prospectus and summary prospectus), in conformity
with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as such
seller may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the
Registrable Securities by such seller;

                      (d)    use its best efforts to register or qualify
such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement under such
other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as each seller shall
request, and do any and all other acts and things which may be necessary or
advisable to enable such seller to consummate the disposition in such
jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller; provided,
however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do
business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified or to take any
action which would subject it to general service of process in any such
jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or subject itself to general
taxation in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;



                                      - 7 -



<PAGE>   9
                      (e)    immediately notify each seller of any
Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement, at any time when
a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Act within
the appropriate period mentioned in clause (b) of this Section 5, of the Company
becoming aware that the prospectus included in such registration statement, as
then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then
existing, and within ten days prepare and furnish to all sellers a reasonable
number of copies of an amended or supplemental prospectus as may be necessary so
that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities,
such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then
existing; provided, however, that upon not less than five days' notice to the
holders of Registrable Securities, the Company may defer the filing of an
amendment or withdraw an amendment or may defer the effectiveness of an
amendment or the preparation of a supplement if the Board of Directors of the
Company determines, in good faith, that such amendment or supplement, or the
disclosure of any information in connection therewith, would (i) have a material
adverse affect upon the Company or its subsidiaries or (ii) substantially
interfere with a significant transaction of a type which would allow the Company
to postpone a Demand Registration under Section 4(a);

                      (f)    use its best efforts to list such Registrable
Securities on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the
Company are then listed, and, if not so listed, on the NASD automated quotation
system ("NASDAQ"), and provide an independent transfer agent and registrar for
such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement not later
than the effective date of such registration statement;

                      (g)    furnish to each seller of Registrable
Securities covered by such registration statement a signed counterpart,
addressed to such seller (and the underwriters, if any) of:

                             (i) an opinion of counsel for the Company, dated
               the effective date of such registration statement (or, if such
               registration involves an underwritten public offering, dated the
               date of the closing under



                                      - 8 -



<PAGE>   10
               the underwriting agreement), reasonably satisfactory in form and
               substance to the sellers of not less than 50% of such Registrable
               Securities (and the managing underwriter, if any); and

                             (ii) a "comfort" letter, dated the effective date
               of such registration statement (or, if such registration involves
               an underwritten public offering, also dated the date of the
               closing under the underwriting agreement), signed by the
               independent public accountants who have certified the Company's
               financial statements included in such registration statement,
               covering such matters with respect to such registration statement
               as are customarily covered in accountants' letters delivered to
               the underwriters in underwritten offerings of securities as may
               reasonably be requested by the sellers of not less than 50% of
               such Registrable Securities (and the managing underwriter, if
               any);

                      (h)  make available for inspection by any seller
of such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement, by any
underwriter participating in any disposition to be effected pursuant to such
registration statement and by any attorney, accountant or other agent retained
by any such seller or any such underwriter (individually, an "Inspector" and
collectively, the "Inspectors"), all pertinent financial and other records,
pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company as shall be
reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence
responsibility (collectively, the "Records"), and cause all of the Company's
officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested
by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection
with such registration statement; provided, that any Records that are designated
by the Company in writing as confidential shall be kept confidential by the
Inspectors unless (A) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or
correct a misstatement or omission in such registration statement or (B) the
release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a
court of competent jurisdiction or by any regulatory authority having
jurisdiction. Each holder of Registrable Securities agrees that non-public
information obtained by it as a result of such Inspections shall be deemed
confidential and acknowledges its obligations under the Federal securities laws
not to trade any securities of the Company on the basis of material non-public
information; and



                                      - 9 -



<PAGE>   11
                      (i)  otherwise use its best efforts to comply with
all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make available to
its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement
covering the period of at least twelve months beginning with the first day of
the Company's first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the
registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of
Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder.

               The Company may require each seller of Registrable Securities as
to which any registration is being effected promptly to furnish to the Company
(i) an opinion of counsel for such seller dated the effective date of the
registration statement relating to such seller's Registrable Securities (or, if
such registration involves an underwritten public offering, dated the date of
the closing under the underwriting agreement), reasonably satisfactory in form
and substance to the Company (and the managing underwriter, if any) and (ii)
such information regarding the distribution of such Registrable Securities as
may be legally required. Such information shall be furnished in writing and
shall state that it is being furnished for use in the registration statement.

               Each holder of Registrable Securities agrees by acquisition of
such Registrable Securities that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of
the happening of any event of the kind described in clause (e) of this Section
5, such holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities
pursuant to the registration statement covering such Registrable Securities
until such holder's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended
prospectus contemplated by clause (e) of this Section 5, and, if so directed by
the Company, such holder will deliver to the Company (at the Company's expense)
all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such holder's possession,
of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of
receipt of the Company's notice. In the event the Company shall give any such
notice, the period mentioned in clause (b) of this Section 5 shall be extended
by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the
giving of such notice pursuant to clause (e) of this Section 5 and including the
date when each seller of Registrable Securities covered by such registration
statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended
prospectus contemplated by clause (e) of this Section 5.



                                     - 10 -



<PAGE>   12
               6.     Indemnification.

                      (a)    Indemnification by the Company.  The Company
hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each holder of Registrable
Securities which shall have been registered under the Securities Act, and such
holder's officers, directors and agents and each other Person, if any, who
controls such holder within the meaning of the Securities Act and each other
Person (including underwriters) who participates in the offering of such
Registrable Securities against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities,
reasonable attorneys' fees, costs or expenses (collectively, the "Damages"),
joint or several, to which such holder or controlling Person or participating
Person may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such
Damages (or proceedings in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact made by the
Company or its agents contained in any registration statement under which such
Registrable Securities are registered under the Securities Act, in any
preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or in any
amendment or supplement thereof, or arise out of or are based upon the omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will
reimburse such holder of Registrable Securities or such controlling Person or
participating Person in connection with investigating or defending any such
Damages or proceeding; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in
any such case to the extent that any such Damages arise out of or are based upon
(i) an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission made in such registration statement, said preliminary or final
prospectus or said amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity
with written information furnished to the Company by such holder or such
controlling or participating Person, as the case may be, specifically for use in
the preparation thereof; or (ii) an untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement, omission or alleged omission in a prospectus if such untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement, omission or alleged omission is corrected in an
amendment or supplement to the prospectus which amendment or supplement is
delivered to such holder in a timely manner and such holder thereafter fails to
deliver such prospectus as so amended or supplemented prior to or concurrently
with the sale of such Registrable Securities to the Person asserting such
Damages.

                      (b)    Indemnification by the Holders of Registrable
Securities Which Are Registered.  It shall be a condition of the



                                     - 11 -



<PAGE>   13
Company's obligations under this Agreement to effect any registration under the
Securities Act that there shall have been delivered to the Company an agreement
or agreements duly executed by each holder of Registrable Securities to be so
registered, whereby such holder agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, its directors, officers and agents and each other Person, if any, which
controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act against any
Damages, joint or several, to which the Company, or such other Person or such
Person controlling the Company may become subject under the Securities Act or
otherwise, but only to the extent that such Damages (or proceedings in respect
thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged untrue
statement of any material fact contained, on the effective date thereof, in any
registration statement under which such Registrable Securities are registered
under the Securities Act, in any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus
contained therein or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or
are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, which, in each such case, has been made in or omitted from such
registration statement, said preliminary or final prospectus or said amendment
or supplement in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information
furnished to the Company by such holder of Registrable Securities specifically
for use in the preparation thereof. The Company shall be entitled to receive
indemnities from underwriters, selling brokers, dealer managers and similar
securities industry professionals participating in the distribution, to the same
extent as provided above, with respect to information furnished in writing by
such Persons specifically for inclusion in any prospectus or registration
statement.

                      (c)    Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings.  Any
Person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall (i) give prompt written
notice to the indemnifying party of the commencement of any action or proceeding
involving a claim referred to in the preceding paragraphs of this Section 6; and
(ii) unless the indemnified party has been advised by its counsel that a
conflict of interest exists between such indemnified and indemnifying parties
under applicable standards of professional responsibility, with respect to such
claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with
counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. Whether or not such
defense is assumed by the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party will not be
subject to any liability for any settlement made without its consent (but such
consent will



                                     - 12 -



<PAGE>   14
not be unreasonably withheld). No indemnifying party will consent to the entry
of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does not include as an
unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such
indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect of such claim or
litigation; provided, however, that no indemnifying party will consent to the
entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement (other than for the payment
of money only) without the consent of the indemnified party (which consent will
not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or
elects not to, assume the defense of the claim, will not be obligated to pay the
fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such
indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment
of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such
indemnified party and any other such indemnified parties with respect to such
claim, in which event the indemnifying party shall be obligated to pay the fees
and expenses of such additional counsel or counsels.

                      (d)    Contribution.  If for any reason the
indemnification provided for in the preceding Sections 6(a) or 6(b) is
unavailable to an indemnified party in respect of any Damages referred to
therein, the indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable
by the indemnified party as a result of such Damages in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits received by the
indemnified party and the indemnifying party, but also the relative fault of the
indemnified party and the indemnifying party, as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative fault of such indemnifying party and
indemnified parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, has
been made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or
indemnified parties, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided,
however, that in no event shall the liability of any selling holder of
Registrable Securities hereunder be greater in amount than the difference
between the dollar amount of the proceeds received by such holder upon the sale
of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such contribution obligation and
all amounts previously contributed by such holder with respect to such Damages.
No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the



                                     - 13 -



<PAGE>   15
Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation.

               7.  Hold-Back Agreements

                      (a)    Restrictions on Public Sale by Holder of
Registrable Securities. Each holder of Registrable Securities whose Registrable
Securities are eligible for inclusion in a Registration Statement filed pursuant
to Sections 3 or 4 agrees, if requested by the managing underwriter or
underwriters in an underwritten offering of any Registrable Securities, not to
effect any public sale or distribution of Registrable Securities, including a
sale pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in force) under the
Securities Act (except as part of such underwritten registration), during the
10-day period prior to, and during the 90-day period (or such shorter period as
may be agreed to by the parties hereto) beginning on the effective date of such
Registration Statement, to the extent timely notified in writing by the Company
or the managing underwriter or underwriters.

               The foregoing provisions shall not apply to any holder of
Registrable Securities if such holder is prevented by applicable statute or
regulation from entering into any such agreement; provided, however, that any
such holder shall undertake, in its request to participate in any such
underwritten offering, not to effect any public sale or distribution of
Registrable Securities (except as part of such underwritten registration) during
such period unless it has provided 45 days prior written notice of such sale or
distribution to the managing underwriter or underwriter.

                      (b)    Restrictions on Public Sale by the Company
and Others. The Company shall (i) not effect any public sale or distribution of
any of its Common Stock for its own account during the 10-day period prior to,
and during the 90-day period beginning on, the effective date of a Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Sections 3 or 4 (except as part of a Special
Registration Statement), and (ii) use reasonable efforts to cause each holder of
Common Stock purchased from the Company at any time after the date of this
Agreement (other than in a registered public offering) to agree not to effect
any public sale or distribution of any such securities during such period,
including a sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (except as part
of such underwritten registration, if permitted).



                                     - 14 -



<PAGE>   16
               8.   Underwritten Registration

               If any of the Registrable Securities covered by any Incidental
Registration are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the investment banker
or investment bankers and manager or managers that will administer the offering
will be selected by the Company and, in the case of a Demand Registration,
reasonably acceptable to holders with at least 50% of the Registrable Securities
requesting registration.

               Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Person may
participate in any underwritten registration hereunder unless such Person (a)
agrees to sell such Person's securities on the basis provided in any
underwritten arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve
such arrangement and (b) accurately completes and executes all questionnaires,
powers of attorney, indemnities, custody agreements, underwriting agreements and
other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

               9.     Miscellaneous


                      (a)    No Inconsistent Agreements.  The Company will
not hereafter enter into any agreement with respect to its securities which is
inconsistent with or violates the rights granted to the holders of Registrable
Securities in this Agreement.

                      (b) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Securities.
The Company will not take any action, or permit any change to occur, with
respect to its securities which would materially and adversely affect the
ability of the holders of Registrable Securities to include such Registrable
Securities in a registration undertaken pursuant to this Agreement or which
would materially and adversely affect the marketability of such Registrable
Securities in any such registration (including, without limitation, effecting a
stock split or a combination of shares).

                      (c)    Amendment and Modification.  Except as
otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Agreement may be amended or
waived only upon the prior written consent of the Company and holders of at
least 50% of the Registrable Securities.

                      (d) Survival of Representations and Warranties.
All representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set



                                     - 15 -



<PAGE>   17
forth in this Agreement will survive the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby,
regardless of any investigation made by any party hereto or on its behalf.

                      (e)    Successors and Assigns; Entire Agreement.
All covenants and agreements in this Agreement by or on behalf of any of the
parties hereto will bind and inure to the benefit of the respective successors
and assigns of the parties hereto whether so expressed or not. In addition,
whether or not any express assignment has been made, the provisions of this
Agreement which are for the benefit of purchasers or holders of Registrable
Securities are also for the benefit of, and enforceable by, any subsequent
holder of Registrable Securities; provided, that no Demand Registration may be
requested by any subsequent holder of Registrable Securities unless such holder
holds at least 10% of the Company's Common Stock on a fully diluted basis and
such subsequent holder is not a then present customer, supplier or, in the
Company's reasonable judgment, competitor of the Company in the lasers or optics
business. Upon request, the Company will inform any holder of Registrable
Securities whether it or any person is a customer, supplier or, in the Company's
reasonable judgment, competitor of the Company. This Agreement sets forth the
entire agreement and understandings among the parties as to the subject matter
hereof and merges and supersedes all prior discussions and understandings of any
and every nature among them.

                      (f)  Separability.  In the event that any
provision of this Agreement or the application of any provision hereof is
declared to be illegal, invalid or otherwise unenforceable by a court of
competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected
except to the extent necessary to delete such illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provision unless that provision held invalid shall substantially impair the
benefits of the remaining portions of this Agreement.

                      (g)    Notices.  All notices provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, telecopier or air
courier guaranteeing overnight or two-day delivery to the other party at the
following addresses (or at such other address as shall be given in writing by
any party to the others):



                                     - 16 -



<PAGE>   18
               If to the Company to:

               Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc.
               1335 Terra Bella Avenue
               Mountain View, CA  94043
               Attention: Patrick L. Edsell
               Telecopy: (650) 429-0212

               If to Spectra-Physics Holdings USA, Inc., to:

               Spectra-Physics Holdings USA, Inc.
               c\o Spectra-Physics AB
               Shuregaten 32
               P.O. Box 5226
               10245 Stockholm, Sweden
               Attention:  Lennart Rappe
               Telecopy:  46-8-6609226

               with a required copy to:

               Dechert Price & Rhoads
               4000 Bell Atlantic Tower
               1717 Arch Street
               Philadelphia, PA  19103
               Attention: Carmen J. Romano
               Telecopy:  (215) 994-2222


               All such notices shall be deemed to have been duly given: when
delivered by hand, if personally delivered; when receipt acknowledged, if
telecopied; on the next business day, if timely delivered to an air courier
guaranteeing overnight delivery and two business days after delivery to an air
courier guaranteeing two-day delivery.

                      (h)    Governing Law.  The validity, performance,
construction and effect of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal law of Delaware, without giving effect to
principles of conflicts of law.

                      (i)    Headings.  The headings in this Agreement are
for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this
Agreement, nor shall they affect their meaning, construction or effect.

                      (j)    Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed
in two or more counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate



                                     - 17 -



<PAGE>   19
counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original,
and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

                      (k)    Further Assurances.  Each party shall
cooperate and take such action as may be reasonably requested by another party
in order to carry out the provisions and purposes of this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby.

                      (l)    Termination.  Notwithstanding anything in
this Agreement to the contrary, this Agreement shall terminate at such time as
the Registrable Securities constitute less than 10% of the Company's Common
Stock on a fully-diluted basis and such securities may be exchanged for a new
certificate or other evidence of ownership which are not required to bear a
restrictive legend and may be resold in a public sale in compliance with the
Securities Act without registration under the Securities Act; provided, that the
indemnification rights and obligations set forth in Section 6 hereof shall
survive the termination of this Agreement.

                      (m)    Remedies.  In the event of a breach or a
threatened breach by any party to this Agreement of its obligations under this
Agreement, any party injured or to be injured by such breach, in addition to
being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of
damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this
Agreement, it being agreed by the parties that the remedy at law, including
monetary damages, for breach of such provision will be inadequate compensation
for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a
remedy at law would be adequate is waived.

                      (n)    Party No Longer Owning Securities.  If a
party hereto ceases to own any Registrable Securities, such party will no longer
be entitled to the registration rights contemplated by Sections 3, 4 and 5 of
this Agreement; provided, that the indemnification rights and obligations set
forth in Section 6 hereof shall survive any such cessation of ownership.

                      (o)    Pronouns.  Whenever the context may require,
any pronouns used herein shall be deemed also to include the corresponding
neuter, masculine or feminine forms.



                                     - 18 -



<PAGE>   20
               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration
Rights Agreement as of the date first written above.

                                 SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS, INC.


                                 By:     \s\ Patrick L. Edsell
                                    -------------------------------
                                    Patrick L. Edsell



                                 SPECTRA-PHYSICS HOLDINGS USA, INC.


                                 By:      \s\ Lennart Rappe
                                    -------------------------------
                                    Lennart Rappe






                                            - 19 -






<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 10.3

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

               THIS IS AN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") dated this 1st day
of January, 1991 between Spectra Physics Lasers, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), and PATRICK L. EDSELL ("Employee") of Villanova, Pennsylvania.

               WHEREAS, The Company desires to obtain the services of Employee
as President of the Company on the terms hereinafter set forth; and

               WHEREAS, Employee desires to serve the Company on the terms
hereinafter set forth;

               NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises herein
contained and other good and valuable consideration, and intending to be legally
bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

               1. Employment. The Company agrees to employ Employee as its
President, with the customary duties, authorities and responsibilities of a
president of a corporation and such other duties, authorities and
responsibilities (a) as have been agreed upon by the Company and Employee, (b)
as may from time to time be delegated to Employee by the board of directors of
the Company (the "Board of Directors") or (c) as are set forth in the Bylaws of
the Company. Employee hereby accepts such employment.


<PAGE>   2
               2. Term of Employment. The term of Employee's employment
hereunder (the "Term of Employment") shall commence on the date hereof and shall
end on the third anniversary of that date, unless either extended as provided in
the following sentence or earlier terminated pursuant to Section 12 hereof. At
the end of such original period, the Term of Employment shall be automatically
extended thereafter for successive one year periods of employment, subject to
the same conditions of extension or earlier termination, unless notice is given
by either party at least six months before the expiration of such original
period or any subsequent period thereafter. The date on which the Term of
Employment shall terminate is hereinafter called the "Termination Date."

               3. Employee's Performance. In performance of his duties, Employee
agrees to devote such time and attention as are necessary to fulfill his duties
and obligations under this Agreement and not to engage in other business
activities which interfere with the proper discharge of his duties; provided,
however, that Employee may serve as a director, officer, employee or shareholder
of any corporation of which Pharos AB or Nobel Industries AB owns, directly or
indirectly, more than 50% of the voting stock, or any corporation which owns,
directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the voting stock of any of them.
Employee shall report to the Board of Directors all of his 


<PAGE>   3
business and investment interests which might reasonably be considered as
constituting or creating a conflict of interest.

               4. Compensation.

                  (a) As compensation for his services during the Term of
Employment, the Company shall pay to Employee an annual contract base salary
equal to the minimum amount of $193,000.00 or such greater amount as may from
time to time be approved by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion (the
"Contract Base Salary").

                  (b) Employee shall participate in all bonus, stock option and
other additional compensation programs as are commensurate with his position as
may be established by the Company for its employees. Employee shall have the
right to defer the payment of all or any specified percentage of any bonus
payable to Employee with respect to any 12-month period by written notice to the
Company not less than 30 days prior to the commencement of such 12-month period.
Any amount whose payment is so deferred shall be invested in a manner mutually
acceptable to the Company and Employee, and such amount together with the net
proceeds of any such investment thereof, all of which shall remain the property
of the Company until paid and in which Employee shall have no security interest,
shall be paid to Employee on the Termination Date.

                  (c) All compensation and reimbursement of expenses under this
Agreement shall be paid in U. S. Dollars.


<PAGE>   4
               5. Performance of Duties. In the fulfillment of his duties and
obligations under this Agreement, it is anticipated that Employee will perform
material services to the Company and other entities both within and outside the
United States. The Company agrees not to cause or require Employee to relocate
his then-current residence other than within the United States. In the event
that a change of residence other than within the United States is desired by the
Company and by Employee, the Base Salary and the other terms of this Agreement
shall be subject to renegotiation.

               6. Office and Relocation Expenses. The Company will provide
Employee with a suitable office in the vicinity of Mountain View, California or
wherever the Company's corporate headquarters is located. In the event that
Employee's residence is relocated at the Company's request, either by agreement
of Employee and the Company or as otherwise permitted pursuant to Section 5
hereof, the Company shall, upon Employee's request, reimburse relocation
expenses as described in Attachment 1. The relocation expenses described in
Attachment 2 apply to Employee's move from Villanova, Pennsylvania, to the
Peninsula area of California.

               7. Travel Expenses. The Company will reimburse Employee for all
reasonable travel, lodging, meals and related expenses incurred by Employee for
travel beyond the vicinity of Mountain View (or Employee's relocated residence
hereunder) in 


<PAGE>   5
connection with the performance of Employee's duties under this Agreement.

               8. Certain Fringe Benefits. During the Term of Employment:

                  (a) The Company, at its expense, shall furnish (unless any
affiliate of the Company has furnished) Employee with an automobile, of a make
and model commensurate with his position, for his use. The Company shall
maintain such automobile at its own expense.

                  (b) Employee shall be entitled to (i) such comprehensive
medical and dental insurance coverage, (ii) such life, disability and other
insurance coverage, (iii) such savings plans, and (iv) such other retirement
benefits and other employee benefits as are commensurate with his position as
may be established by the Company for its employees. Employee shall also be
entitled to such vacations and holidays as are commensurate with his position as
may be established by the Company for its employees.

               9. Proprietary Knowledge.

                  (a) Employee agrees to make available to the Company all
knowledge possessed by him relating to any methods, developments, inventions
and/or improvements, whether patented, patentable or unpatentable, which concern
in any way the business of the Company or its affiliated corporations, whether
acquired by Employee before or during the Term of Employment; provided that
nothing herein shall be construed as requiring any 


<PAGE>   6
disclosure where the method, development, invention and/or improvement is
lawfully protected from disclosure as a trade secret of a third party or by any
other lawful bar to such disclosure.

                  (b) Any methods, developments, inventions and/or improvements,
whether patentable or unpatentable, which Employee may conceive of or make along
the lines of the Company's business (or that of any of its affiliated
corporations), or any part thereof, while in the Company's employ, shall be and
remain the property of the Company. Employee agrees promptly to communicate and
disclose all such methods, developments, inventions and/or improvements to the
Company and to execute and deliver to it any instruments deemed necessary by the
Company to effect the disclosure and assignment thereof to it. Employee will
execute all patent applications and other papers deemed necessary by the Company
to the filing and prosecution of applications for letters patent on such
inventions, processes and improvements and the acquisition of such letters
patent in the United States and all foreign countries, and will assist the
Company in all proper ways in prosecuting such applications, and will execute
any further papers which may be deemed necessary or advisable to vest in the
Company the entire right, title and interest in and to all such inventions,
processes and improvements.

               10. Confidential Information. Employee agrees that (a) during the
Term of Employment, he will not, without the prior written consent of the Board
of Directors, use or disclose to any 


<PAGE>   7
person other than to persons in the then present employ of Company or persons
authorized by Company, any information of a confidential or proprietary nature
relating to the Company's products, production methods, systems, designs,
know-how, suppliers, customers or customer requirements, or any "trade secrets"
of the Company, and (b) after the Termination Date, he will not use or disclose
any such information or any such "trade secrets" to any person other than to
persons designated by the Company. As used herein, "trade secrets" shall
include, unless otherwise publicly known or available, all ideas or information
on which the Company has spent money, time and/or effort to develop and which
the Company desires to keep confidential, without regard to whether such ideas
and information are novel, inventive or patentable or may have been anticipated
in the prior art. On the Termination Date, Employee will promptly deliver to the
Company all technical data, drawings, memoranda, customer lists and other papers
relevant to the business of the company in his possession or control.

               11. Competition. Except as hereinafter provided, Employee agrees
that from the date hereof until the Termination Date, Employee will not become a
stockholder (unless such stock is listed on a national securities exchange or
such holding represents less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding capital
stock of the corporation), employee, officer, or director of a corporation or
member of a partnership or engage in any business as a sole proprietor, or act
as a consultant to any of the 


<PAGE>   8
foregoing or otherwise engage, directly or indirectly, in any enterprise which
conducts a business competing with the businesses of the Company. The reasonable
decision of the Board of Directors as to what constitutes a competing business
shall be final and binding upon Employee.

               12. Termination. The employment of Employee hereunder shall
terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following events, with the
respective consequences hereinafter specified:

                  (a) Upon Employee's death, the compensation provided for in
Section 4 hereof shall cease, except for any payment to be made pursuant to
Section 4 on the Termination Date and subject to any salary continuation policy
applicable to the Company's employees generally.

                  (b) Following three (3) consecutive months of any permanent
physical or mental disability that incapacitates Employee and prevents him from
rendering the services provided for herein, the compensation provided for in
Section 4 hereof shall cease, except for any payments to be made pursuant to
Section 4 on the Termination Date and, in addition thereto, the Company shall
pay to Employee the salary provided for in Section 4(a) for six additional
months.

                  (c) Upon (i) the termination by the Company of Employee's
employment hereunder other than (a) pursuant to Section 12(d) hereof or (b) as a
result of Employee's death or disability, or (ii) the termination by Employee of
his employment hereunder after (a) Employee's and the Company's inability to


<PAGE>   9
agree to a relocation of residence and/or the terms thereof or (b) a Change in
Control followed by a material change in Employee's duties or conditions of
employment hereunder, the compensation provided for in Section 4 hereof shall
cease, except for any payments to be made pursuant to Section 4 on the
Termination Date and the salary which would be payable for the balance of the
Term of Employment (without regard to any termination pursuant to this Section
12 and including any renewal period with respect to which no timely notice of
nonrenewal has been delivered). Such payment or payments shall be payable, in a
lump sum within ten (10) days of the Termination Date, as applicable. In
addition, Employee shall be entitled to retain all other benefits provided for
in this Agreement for the greater of (a) a period of 12 months after the
Termination Date or (b) the balance of the Term of Employment as determined
above. As used in this Section 12(c), "Change in Control" shall mean a
transaction (other than any transaction consented to by Employee) as a result of
which the existing shareholders of Pharos AB, Pharos USA, Inc., Spectra-Physics,
Inc., or the Company shall own, in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, less
than 50% of the outstanding voting stock of the Company.


<PAGE>   10
                  (d) Upon the termination by the Company of Employee's
employment due to (i) willful neglect by Employee of, or willful refusal by
Employee to perform, his duties hereunder or (ii) willful misconduct by Employee
relating to, or materially adversely affecting his ability to perform, his
duties hereunder or materially adversely affecting the Company, in each case as
determined by the Board of Directors in good faith, the compensation provided
for in Section 4 hereof shall cease, except for any payments to be made pursuant
to Section 4 on the Termination Date. In the event that Employee, within ten
(10) days after determination by the Board of Directors, objects in writing to
such determination, then the issue of grounds for termination shall be
determined by arbitration in accordance with the rules and procedures of the
American Arbitration Association.

                  (e) Employee may terminate this Agreement at any time, upon 90
days' prior written notice, for any reason, separate and apart from the
provisions of subsection (c) hereof. If Employee so terminates, the compensation
provided for in Section 4 hereof shall cease, except for any payments to be made
pursuant to Section 4 on the Termination Date.

               13. Assignment or Transfer. This Agreement is a personal contract
and rights and interests of Employee herein may not be sold, transferred,
assigned, pledged or hypothecated. In the event that another corporation shall
succeed (by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) to the business
of the Company, (a) the Company shall be entitled to assign its 


<PAGE>   11
rights and interests herein to such successor corporation and (b) effective upon
such assignment, all references herein to the Company shall be deemed to refer
to such successor corporation, subject to Employee's right, under Section 12(c)
above, to terminate his employment.

               14. Amendments, Etc. This Agreement may not be amended or
modified, except by a written instrument signed by the parties hereto. This
Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors, administrators, personal representatives, successors and permitted
assigns of the parties hereto.

               15. Notices. Any notice or other communication required or
permitted hereunder shall be sufficiently given if sent by registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid, and if to Employee, addressed to him at 1500
Spring Mill Lane, Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085 USA, and if to the Company,
addressed to it at 1250 West Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California,
94039-7013 USA, marked for the attention of its Board of Directors; with
required copies, in each case, to Barton J Winokur, Esquire, Dechert Price &
Rhoads, 3400 Centre Square West, 1500 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19102 USA, or at any other address designated by one party to the other in
writing; and shall be deemed to have been given as of the date mailed or
otherwise given in accordance herewith.

               16. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement which is
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall as 


<PAGE>   12
to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or
unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any
such prohibition unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or
render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

               17. Governing Law. The validity, performance and interpretation
of this Agreement shall be governed by the law of Pennsylvania, without regard
to its principles of conflicts of law.


<PAGE>   13
               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused the signature of its
duly authorized officer, and its corporate seal, attested by its duly authorized
officer, to be affixed hereto, and Employee has hereunto set his hand and seal,
as of the date first above written.

                                            SPECTRA PHYSICS LASERS, INC.
[Corporate Seal]


Attest: /S/ Secretary                       By:  /s/
                                            -------------------------------

                                            /s/ Patrick L. Edsell
                                            -------------------------------
                                                      PATRICK L. EDSELL



<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.2

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


     We consent to the inclusion in this amendment No. 2 to the registration
statement on Form S-1 of our report dated October 18, 1997, except for Notes 11
and 12, for which the date is October 22, 1997, on our audits of the financial
statements and financial statement schedule of Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc. We
also consent to the references to our firm under the captions "Experts" and
"Selected Financial Data."




                                            COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.


San Jose, California
December 10, 1997

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           2,531                   1,283
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   37,952                  34,176
<ALLOWANCES>                                       361                     730
<INVENTORY>                                     21,809                  27,414
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                64,018                  78,857
<PP&E>                                          61,085                  64,918
<DEPRECIATION>                                (40,434)                (41,974)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  86,848                 103,934
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           36,487                  49,386
<BONDS>                                         69,698                  71,756
                                0                       0
                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                    (21,233)                (18,741)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    86,848                 103,934
<SALES>                                        135,434                 113,061
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               135,434                 113,061
<CGS>                                           88,320                  71,178
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   47,886                  50,569
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (2,842)                  15,646
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (3,614)                   6,960
<INCOME-TAX>                                       634                (23,272)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,248)                  30,232
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,248)                  30,232
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
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