ILX LIGHTWAVE CORP
S-1/A, 2000-10-06
INSTRUMENTS FOR MEAS & TESTING OF ELECTRICITY & ELEC SIGNALS
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<PAGE>   1


    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 6, 2000


                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-45120

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------


                                AMENDMENT NO. 1


                                       TO


                                    FORM S-1
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------

                           ILX LIGHTWAVE CORPORATION
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

                                   MINNESOTA
                        (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF
                         INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)

                                      3825
                          (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL
                          CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)

                                   81-0438752
                                (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
                             IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

                            31950 EAST FRONTAGE ROAD
                             BOZEMAN, MONTANA 59715
                                 (406) 586-1244

              (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
       INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

                            ------------------------

                              LAWRENCE A. JOHNSON
                CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                           ILX LIGHTWAVE CORPORATION
                            31950 EAST FRONTAGE ROAD
                             BOZEMAN, MONTANA 59715
                                 (406) 586-1244

 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                                   COPIES TO:

                                JOHN W. MANNING
                              LAWRENCE T. MARTINEZ
                                MOLLY E. JOSEPH
                              DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP
                             507 DAVIDSON BUILDING
                              8 THIRD STREET NORTH
                           GREAT FALLS, MONTANA 59401
                                 (406) 727-3632

                                CRAIG E. SHERMAN
                                 MEGAN L. MUIR
                                MICHAEL J. BROWN
                               VENTURE LAW GROUP
                           A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
                              4750 CARILLON POINT
                           KIRKLAND, WASHINGTON 98033
                                 (425) 739-8700

                            ------------------------

          APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
As soon as practicable 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,
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, 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 this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
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,
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

     THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE
     MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH
     THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT
     AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY
     THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.


                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 6, 2000

PROSPECTUS

                                5,000,000 SHARES


                              [ILX LIGHTWAVE LOGO]
                                  COMMON STOCK


     This is an initial public offering of common stock by ILX Lightwave
Corporation. ILX Lightwave is selling 4,500,000 shares of common stock. The
selling shareholders identified in this prospectus are offering an additional
500,000 shares of common stock. ILX Lightwave will not receive any of the
proceeds from the sale of common stock held by the selling shareholders. We
anticipate that the estimated initial public offering price will be between
$15.00 and $17.00 per share.


                               ------------------

     No public market currently exists for our common stock. We have applied for
quotation of our common stock on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
ILXL.

                               ------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              PER SHARE       TOTAL
                                                              ---------       -----
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Initial public offering price...............................   $           $
Underwriting discounts and commissions......................   $           $
Proceeds to ILX Lightwave, before expenses..................   $           $
Proceeds to the selling shareholders, before expenses.......   $           $
</TABLE>


     ILX Lightwave and certain of the selling shareholders have granted the
underwriters an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to 396,680 and
353,320 additional shares of common stock, respectively.


                               ------------------

            INVESTING IN OUR COMMON STOCK INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK.

                    SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 4.


                               ------------------

     NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE
ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

CHASE H&Q
                       U.S. BANCORP PIPER JAFFRAY
                                                                   WIT SOUNDVIEW
               , 2000
<PAGE>   3

[The inside front cover of the prospectus contains pictures of certain of our
products and will include our logo and the text "Innovative Optical Test and
Measurement Solutions; Flexible and Upgradeable Product Design; and Advanced
Technology and Features."]
<PAGE>   4

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PAGE
                                                                ----
<S>                                                             <C>
Prospectus Summary..........................................      1
Risk Factors................................................      4
Forward-Looking Statements..................................     12
Use of Proceeds.............................................     13
Dividend Policy.............................................     13
Capitalization..............................................     14
Dilution....................................................     15
Selected Financial Data.....................................     16
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
  and Results of Operations.................................     17
Business....................................................     25
Management..................................................     36
Principal and Selling Shareholders..........................     44
Certain Transactions........................................     46
Description of Capital Stock................................     47
Shares Eligible for Future Sale.............................     49
Underwriting................................................     51
Legal Matters...............................................     54
Experts.....................................................     54
Where You Can Find More Information.........................     54
Index to Financial Statements...............................    F-1
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   5

                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus.
This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider before
making an investment decision. You should read the entire prospectus carefully,
including "Risk Factors" and our financial statements and related notes, before
making an investment decision.

                           ILX LIGHTWAVE CORPORATION

     We develop, manufacture and market optical test and measurement equipment
designed to enable optical component vendors to increase unit production,
improve manufacturing yields, accelerate the development of innovative products
and reduce manufacturing costs. Our products are designed to test and measure
various optical component characteristics throughout the product development and
manufacturing processes. We introduced our first product in 1986 and currently
offer test and measurement equipment in 12 product families. We sell our
products to over 300 customers and distributors, including Corning Incorporated,
JDS Uniphase Corporation and Lucent Technologies, Inc.


     The volume of traffic on telecommunications networks has increased
dramatically, largely due to the growth of the Internet. As a result, network
service providers are rapidly deploying optical networking systems to
significantly increase transmission capacity and provide greater network
functionality at a relatively lower cost. Optical networks transmit data using
pulses of light transmitted through glass fibers while traditional digital
networks are based on electrical signals transmitted over copper wires. The
increasing deployment of optical networking systems has in turn fueled demand
for optical components. Optical components are devices that produce, send, re-
direct and receive signals in optical networks. Ryan Hankin Kent, a
telecommunications industry research firm, estimates that the worldwide market
for optical components will grow to over $22.5 billion by 2003 from
approximately $6.6 billion in 1999.


     The growing demand for optical components has placed an increased focus on
optical component vendors' manufacturing processes and capacity. To address
competitive pressures and to meet the requirements of next generation optical
networking systems, component vendors must develop and manufacture innovative
optical components and subsystems. In response to the challenges facing them,
optical component vendors are increasingly turning to sophisticated test and
measurement equipment to develop innovative products, improve manufacturing
operations and ensure the quality of finished products. We believe the rapid
growth of the optical components market will create a significant opportunity
for manufacturers of optical test and measurement equipment.

     Our products are designed to allow our customers to make quick, accurate
and reliable measurements to assess component functionality and diagnose
manufacturing faults. The modular design of many of our products allows our
customers to add functionality as their test needs grow and optical technology
advances. Because our products are designed for specific sub-segments of the
optical components market, they offer our customers a focused solution that
tests specific component characteristics and is closely aligned with their
manufacturing and product design needs. Our sales, customer service and
marketing engineers frequently solicit feedback from our customers to help focus
and direct our new development activities in order to keep pace with
technological advances in our industry.

     Our objective is to be the leading provider of optical test and measurement
equipment for the optical components market. We leverage our 14 years of
experience in developing advanced optical test and measurement equipment to
provide our customers with innovative solutions designed to meet their complex
and rapidly changing requirements. We will continue to focus on high-growth
areas in the optical components market and to collaborate with leading optical
component vendors. In addition, we plan to expand our sales, marketing and
customer service resources, enhance our product development process and pursue
strategic acquisitions. We believe that this strategy will enable us to continue
to develop and introduce innovative optical test and measurement equipment that
will broaden our product lines and further establish our products as strategic
tools for the optical components market.

     We were founded in 1986. Our principal executive offices are located at
31950 East Frontage Road, Bozeman, Montana 59715 and our telephone number is
(406) 586-1244.
<PAGE>   6

                                  THE OFFERING


<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Common stock offered by ILX Lightwave Corporation...........  4,500,000 shares
Common stock offered by the selling shareholders............  500,000 shares
Common stock to be outstanding after this offering..........  36,135,948 shares
Use of proceeds.............................................  To repay approximately $1.3 million
                                                              of indebtedness and for working
                                                              capital and general corporate
                                                              purposes, including expansion of
                                                              our manufacturing facilities and
                                                              potential acquisitions. See "Use of
                                                              Proceeds."
Proposed Nasdaq National Market symbol......................  ILXL
</TABLE>


                           -------------------------

     Unless otherwise noted, the information in this prospectus:

     - assumes 31,635,948 shares of common stock outstanding at June 30, 2000,
       which reflects a three-for-one stock split on July 13, 2000 and a
       four-for-one stock split on August 24, 2000;

     - excludes approximately 7,680,000 shares of common stock reserved for
       issuance under our stock option plans, 3,642,000 of which were covered by
       outstanding options at June 30, 2000 with a weighted average exercise
       price of $0.35 per share and 4,038,000 of which were available for future
       grants;

     - excludes 600,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our
       employee stock purchase plan; and

     - assumes that the underwriters' over-allotment option will not be
       exercised.

                                        2
<PAGE>   7

                             SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

     The table below sets forth summary financial information for the periods
indicated. It is important that you read this information together with the
section entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" and our financial statements and the related notes
included elsewhere in this prospectus.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            YEAR ENDED                  SIX MONTHS
                                                           DECEMBER 31,               ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                   -----------------------------    ------------------
                                                    1997       1998       1999       1999       2000
                                                   -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
<S>                                                <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
  Sales........................................    $ 7,566    $11,848    $17,404    $ 8,186    $16,601
  Cost of sales................................      3,079      5,091      7,754      3,381      7,150
                                                   -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
     Gross margin..............................      4,487      6,757      9,650      4,805      9,451
  Total operating expenses.....................      3,149      4,668      6,174      2,860      4,875
                                                   -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
  Operating income.............................      1,338      2,089      3,476      1,945      4,576
  Other income (expense), net..................         49        111         53        (31)       (10)
                                                   -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
  Income before income taxes...................      1,387      2,200      3,529      1,914      4,566
  Income tax expense...........................        483        772      1,269        690      1,661
                                                   -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
  Net income...................................    $   904    $ 1,428    $ 2,260    $ 1,224    $ 2,905
                                                   =======    =======    =======    =======    =======
  Net income per share(1):
     Basic.....................................    $  0.02    $  0.03    $  0.06    $  0.03    $  0.08
                                                   =======    =======    =======    =======    =======
     Diluted...................................    $  0.02    $  0.03    $  0.05    $  0.03    $  0.08
                                                   =======    =======    =======    =======    =======
  Shares used in computing net income per
     share(1):
     Basic.....................................     44,052     42,345     39,933     41,204     34,433
                                                   =======    =======    =======    =======    =======
     Diluted...................................     44,390     43,168     41,313     42,490     36,958
                                                   =======    =======    =======    =======    =======
</TABLE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      JUNE 30, 2000
                                                                -------------------------
                                                                ACTUAL     AS ADJUSTED(2)
                                                                -------    --------------
<S>                                                             <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
     Cash and cash equivalents..............................    $   617       $65,379
     Working capital........................................      6,887        71,649
     Total assets...........................................     11,661        76,423
     Long-term debt, less current portion...................        856            --
     Shareholders' equity...................................      7,310        73,395
</TABLE>


------------------------------
(1) See note 1 of the notes to our financial statements for an explanation of
    the determination of the number of weighted average shares used to compute
    basic and diluted net income per share.


(2) The as adjusted information in the above balance sheet data table is
    adjusted to reflect the sale of 4,500,000 shares of common stock offered by
    us in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $16.00
    per share, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and
    commissions and the estimated offering expenses.


                                        3
<PAGE>   8

                                  RISK FACTORS

     Before investing in our common stock, you should be aware that various
risks are involved, including those described below. The occurrence of any of
the following risks could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations. In that case, the trading price
of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your
investment. Before making a decision to buy our common stock, you should
carefully consider the risks described below as well as the other information in
this prospectus, including our financial statements and the related notes.

                         RISKS RELATING TO OUR BUSINESS

WE FACE INTENSE COMPETITION IN OUR MARKETS, AND IF WE FAIL TO COMPETE
SUCCESSFULLY, OUR OPERATING RESULTS WILL SUFFER.

     The markets for our products are intensely competitive. We expect the
intensity of competition to increase in the future from both existing and new
competitors. We compete in specialized market segments against a relatively
limited number of companies. We also face competition in some of our markets
from our existing and potential customers who have developed or may develop
products that are competitive to ours. Many of our current and potential
competitors, such as Agilent Technologies, Inc., Ando Electric Co., Ltd., EXFO
Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. and Newport Corporation, may have longer
operating histories, greater name recognition and substantially greater
financial, technical, marketing, management, service, support and other
resources than we do. In addition, many of our competitors have well-established
relationships with our current or potential customers and have an extensive
knowledge of our industry. Therefore, they may be able to respond more quickly
than we can to new or changing opportunities, technologies, standards or
customer requirements. Other competitors are smaller and highly specialized
companies that focus on only one aspect of our markets or in selected geographic
regions. We may not be able to compete successfully in the future against
existing or new competitors. Competitive pressures may force us to reduce our
prices, which could negatively affect our operating results. Consolidation in
the optical test and measurement or in the optical component industries could
also intensify the competitive pressures that we face. If we do not respond
adequately to competitive challenges, our business and results of operations
would be harmed.

WE ARE DEPENDENT ON A FEW KEY CUSTOMERS FOR A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OUR SALES
AND THE LOSS OF ONE OR MORE OF THESE CUSTOMERS, OR A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN
ORDERS BY ANY OF THESE CUSTOMERS, COULD SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE OUR SALES.

     In the six months ended June 30, 2000, Corning Incorporated and JDS
Uniphase Corporation accounted for approximately 22% and 11% of our sales,
respectively. In the year ended December 31, 1999, Corning Incorporated and
Lucent Technologies, Inc. accounted for approximately 26% and 11% of our sales,
respectively. None of our customers are presently obligated to purchase a
specific amount of our products or to provide us with binding forecasts of
purchases for any period. We anticipate that a significant amount of our sales
will continue to come from a relatively small number of customers. The loss of
any of these customers or a significant reduction in sales to these customers
could adversely affect our sales and operating results. In addition, if our
customers consolidate, they may reduce purchases of our products.

                                        4
<PAGE>   9

WE RELY ON A LIMITED NUMBER OF SUPPLIERS FOR, AND MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY IN
OBTAINING, CERTAIN KEY COMPONENTS AND MATERIALS USED TO MANUFACTURE OUR
PRODUCTS.


     We depend on a limited number of suppliers for some of the key components
and materials used to manufacture our products. In the year ended December 31,
1999, two of our suppliers accounted for approximately 47% of our total
inventory purchases. Substantially all our orders are placed through individual
purchase orders and, therefore, our suppliers may stop supplying materials to us
at any time. We have experienced shortages and delays in obtaining key
components in the past and we may continue to experience shortages and delays in
the future. We are unable to predict the length of any shortages or delays. In
the case of some materials in short supply, suppliers have imposed strict
allocations that limit the number of components and materials that they will
supply to a given customer in a specific time period. In the past, suppliers
have made selective allocations that adversely affected us and these suppliers
may choose, in the future, to increase allocations to larger, more established
companies. Our inability to obtain from current or alternative suppliers
sufficient quantities of the materials used in our products in a timely manner
could interrupt or slow the manufacture of our products and could result in the
cancellation of orders for our products. We may not be able to identify, qualify
and integrate alternative sources of supply in a timely fashion, or at all. Any
transition to alternative suppliers may result in delays in shipment and
increased costs and may limit our ability to deliver products to our customers
in a timely manner.


THE CURRENT WORLDWIDE SHORTAGE OF LASERS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO
OBTAIN AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF LASERS, WHICH COULD ADVERSELY IMPACT OUR
MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS, SALES AND OPERATING RESULTS.


     The recent rapid growth in demand for optical networking products has
caused a worldwide shortage of lasers, which are the key component in a number
of our products. We have experienced shortages and delays in obtaining lasers in
the past and we may continue to experience shortages and delays in the future.
We may be unable to predict the length of any shortages or delays in the future.
Our inability to obtain an adequate and timely supply of lasers or other key
components from our existing suppliers or any future suppliers could interrupt
or slow our manufacturing process and increase our manufacturing costs, which
would harm our business and adversely affect our operating results.


OUR QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS ARE SUBJECT TO SIGNIFICANT FLUCTUATIONS AND YOU
SHOULD NOT RELY ON THEM AS AN INDICATION OF OUR FUTURE PERFORMANCE.

     From time to time, we have experienced significant fluctuations in our
operating results. Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate as a result of
a variety of factors, including those listed below, many of which are outside of
our control. If our quarterly results fall below the expectations of investors
or securities analysts, the price of our common stock could decline
substantially. Factors that could cause fluctuations in our quarterly operating
results include the following:

     - demand in the optical networking industry;

     - market acceptance of any new or enhanced versions of our products;

     - changes in our pricing policies or in the pricing policies of our
       competitors or suppliers;

     - the availability and cost of key components and materials we use to
       manufacture our products;

     - the size and timing of customer and distributor orders within a given
       quarter and our ability to fulfill these orders on a timely basis;

     - the degree to which our customers have allocated and spent their yearly
       budgets;

     - variations in the mix of products we sell;
                                        5
<PAGE>   10

     - the timing of our new product introductions or those of our competitors;

     - the relative percentages of our products sold domestically and
       internationally;

     - the relative percentages of our products sold by our direct sales force
       and our distributors; and

     - the length of our product sales cycle.

     Most of our operating expenses are relatively fixed in the short term and
our expense levels are based in part on our expectations regarding future sales.
As a result, if sales for a particular quarter were below our expectations, we
would not be able to proportionally reduce operating expenses for that quarter.
This revenue shortfall would have a disproportionate effect on our expected
operating results for that quarter.

IF WE FAIL TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO RAPIDLY CHANGING TECHNOLOGY AND EVOLVING
INDUSTRY STANDARDS, OUR BUSINESS AND OPERATING RESULTS WILL SUFFER.

     The markets for our products are characterized by rapid technological
change, evolving industry standards, changes in customer requirements and new
product introductions and enhancements. Competing products based on new
technologies or emerging industry standards may perform better or cost less than
our products and could render our products obsolete or unmarketable. If we are
unable to develop new and enhanced products on a timely basis that respond to
changing technology and standards and satisfy the needs of our customers, our
business and operating results will suffer. We depend to a significant extent
upon our ability to enhance our existing products and introduce new products, to
address the demands of the marketplace and to be price competitive. We cannot be
certain that we will be successful in developing, manufacturing and marketing
product enhancements or new products on a timely or cost-effective basis, or
that these products, if developed, will achieve market acceptance.

WE ARE HIGHLY DEPENDENT ON THE GROWTH OF THE OPTICAL NETWORKING MARKET AND OUR
CUSTOMERS WHO SERVE THIS MARKET.

     Most of our current and expected future business comes from sales to
companies that manufacture components for optical networking systems. The
majority of the remainder comes from sales to companies that manufacture optical
networking systems. The rapid deployment of optical networking systems is
causing increased demand for optical components, which has led to increased
demand for optical test and measurement equipment. Because our customers face
uncertainties with regard to the rate of growth and changing requirements of the
optical networking market, their products and components may not achieve, or
continue to achieve, anticipated levels of market acceptance. If our customers
are unable to deliver products that gain market acceptance, it is likely that
these customers will not purchase our products or will purchase smaller
quantities of our products. A failure of our customers' products to gain market
acceptance, or a failure of the optical networking market as a whole to grow
significantly, would have a negative effect on our business and results of
operations.

IF WE FAIL TO PROPERLY MANAGE AND SUPPORT OUR EXPANDING OPERATIONS, WE MAY NOT
BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTE OUR BUSINESS STRATEGY AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
MARKET OPPORTUNITIES.

     Our ability to successfully offer our products and implement our business
plan in a rapidly evolving market requires effective management and business
planning. We have substantially expanded our business and operations since June
30, 1999. We have increased our number of employees from 99 at June 30, 1999 to
173 at June 30, 2000. We also plan to significantly expand our manufacturing and
office facilities in Bozeman, Montana and Boulder, Colorado by the middle of
2001. Our business expansion has placed, and is expected to continue to place, a
significant strain

                                        6
<PAGE>   11

on our managerial, administrative, operational, financial and other resources.
Our executive officers have limited experience operating a public company. To
manage our anticipated growth and execute our business strategy effectively, we
will need to expand and improve our financial, operational and information
systems, procedures and controls; and to hire, train and integrate new
personnel. Our failure to effectively manage our growth could adversely impact
our ability to take advantage of market opportunities.

IF WE ARE UNABLE TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN QUALIFIED PERSONNEL, OUR BUSINESS AND
OPERATING RESULTS WILL SUFFER.

     Our success depends largely upon our ability to attract, train, motivate
and retain highly skilled employees. Competition for engineers, sales and other
personnel in the technology industry is intense, particularly for employees with
expertise in optical networking and manufacturing. If we fail to retain and
recruit sufficient numbers of employees with the experience and skills we need,
our business and operating results will suffer. Because our headquarters and
primary manufacturing facility are located in Bozeman, Montana, we must often
recruit qualified employees from outside the vicinity of our headquarters, which
may also put us at a competitive disadvantage.

     In addition, we must provide significant training for our growing employee
base due to the highly specialized nature of our products. Our current
engineering personnel may be inadequate and we may fail to integrate and train
new employees. Highly skilled employees with the education and training that we
require, especially employees with significant experience in optical networking,
are in high demand. Once trained, our employees may be hired by our competitors.

IF WE LOSE MEMBERS OF OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM, PARTICULARLY LAWRENCE A. JOHNSON, OUR
FOUNDER, CHAIRMAN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRESIDENT, OUR BUSINESS
OPERATIONS COULD BE SEVERELY DISRUPTED.

     Our success depends to a significant degree upon the skills, experience and
performance of our senior management, engineering, sales, marketing, service,
support and other key personnel. Specifically, we believe that our future
success is highly dependent on Lawrence A. Johnson, our founder, Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and President. If we lose the services of Dr. Johnson or other
key personnel, our business would be severely disrupted and seriously harmed. We
do not have employment agreements with any of our employees. We do not maintain
"key person" life insurance policies on any of our employees except Dr. Johnson.
This life insurance policy is not sufficient to compensate us for the loss of
his services.

THE GROSS MARGINS OF OUR EXISTING PRODUCTS COULD DECLINE.

     Our industry is intensely competitive and prices for optical test and
measurement equipment will likely decline in the future. These price declines
will result from factors such as:

     - increased competition for business;

     - a limited number of potential customers;

     - competition from companies with lower labor and production costs;

     - introduction of new products by competitors; and

     - greater economies of scale for higher-volume manufacturers.

     We may have to increase our manufacturing capacity and our unit volume sold
in order to maintain our existing margins. If we add capacity, our fixed costs
will increase the level of sales

                                        7
<PAGE>   12

necessary to maintain operating margins. If we are unable to continuously reduce
our manufacturing costs or introduce new products with higher margins, our gross
margins could decline.

FUTURE ACQUISITIONS COULD DISRUPT OUR BUSINESS AND HARM OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION.

     In order to remain competitive, we may find it necessary to acquire
additional businesses, products and technologies. In the event that we do
complete an acquisition, we could be required to do one or more of the
following:

     - issue equity securities, which would dilute current shareholders;

     - incur substantial debt;

     - assume contingent liabilities;

     - incur a one-time charge; or

     - amortize goodwill and other intangible assets.

     We may not be able to successfully integrate the technologies, products,
personnel or operations of companies that we acquire. These difficulties could
disrupt our business, divert management resources and increase our expenses.

OUR PRODUCTS HAVE IN THE PAST AND MAY IN THE FUTURE HAVE UNFORESEEN DEFECTS THAT
COULD HARM OUR OPERATING RESULTS.

     As a result of their complexity, our products have in the past and may in
the future contain undetected errors or compatibility problems. Despite our
internal testing and quality assurance procedures, errors may exist in our
products and may not be found until they have been fully deployed and operated
under peak stress conditions. As a result, we could incur substantial expenses
in repairing any defects or undetected errors. In addition, any errors or
defects in our products could harm our reputation, divert management and other
resources, impede market acceptance of our products and adversely affect our
operating results.


WE COULD INCUR SUBSTANTIAL COSTS AS A RESULT OF WARRANTY OR PRODUCT LIABILITY
CLAIMS.


     Our products are designed to help optical component vendors and network
system providers ensure product functionality and network reliability. The
failure of our products to perform to customer expectations could give rise to
warranty or product liability claims. We generally provide a limited one-year
warranty on all of our products. We carry product liability insurance that we
consider adequate. However, a successful claim against us for an amount
exceeding our policy limit would force us to use our own resources to pay the
claim, which could harm our reputation, result in a reduction of our working
capital available for other uses, increase our expenses and have a negative
effect on our operating results.

IF WE FAIL TO PREDICT OUR MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS ACCURATELY, WE COULD HAVE EITHER
INSUFFICIENT INVENTORY OR EXCESS INVENTORY, BOTH OF WHICH COULD CAUSE US TO
INCUR ADDITIONAL COSTS OR EXPERIENCE MANUFACTURING DELAYS.


     We generally provide forecasts of our requirements to some of our major
suppliers up to six months prior to scheduled delivery of products to our
customers. It is very important that we accurately predict both the demand for
our products and the lead times required to obtain the necessary components and
materials. Lead time for some components and materials that we procure can vary
significantly and may depend on factors such as the procedures of, or our supply
terms with, a specific supplier, as well as industry-wide demand for each
component at a given

                                        8
<PAGE>   13


time. If we underestimate our requirements, we may have an inadequate inventory
of materials. Inadequate inventory could interrupt the manufacture of our
products and result in delays in shipments. If we overestimate our requirements,
we may have excess inventory, which could increase our costs, harm our
relationships with our suppliers due to reduced future orders and, in our
rapidly changing market, leave us with inventory that is obsolete.


WE FACE SIGNIFICANT RISKS FROM DOING BUSINESS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

     Our business is subject to risks inherent in conducting business
internationally. In the six months ended June 30, 2000, and the years ended
December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, our international sales accounted for
approximately 31%, 29%, 22% and 34%, respectively, of our sales. We expect that
our international sales will continue to account for a significant percentage of
our sales for the foreseeable future. Our international sales will be limited if
we cannot maintain and establish relationships with international distributors
and expand and manage our international sales channels. As a result of our
international operations, we face various risks, which include:

     - adverse currency fluctuations;

     - challenges of administering our business globally, including difficulties
       in staffing and managing our offices in the United Kingdom and Japan;

     - reliance on third party distributors;

     - compliance with multiple and potentially conflicting regulatory
       requirements, including export requirements, tariffs and other trade
       barriers;

     - adverse changes in the economic or political conditions in countries or
       regions where we sell our products;

     - longer accounts receivable cycles;

     - overlapping or differing tax structures; and

     - differing protection of intellectual property.

     As a result of our international operations, fluctuations in currency
exchange rates could affect the sales price in local currencies of our products
in international markets, potentially making our products less competitive. In
addition, exchange rate fluctuations could increase the costs and expenses of
our international operations or require us to modify our current business
practices. Our failure to manage any of these risks could significantly harm our
business and results of operations.

OUR PRODUCTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO CONFORM TO NEW AND UNFORESEEN REGULATORY OR
CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS, WHICH COULD INCREASE OUR COSTS AND CAUSE OUR OPERATING
RESULTS TO SUFFER.


     Our products are designed to conform to the regulatory requirements of the
countries in which they are marketed. For example, all of our products shipped
to Europe must bear the CE mark, which indicates that our products have complied
with the obligations required to distribute our products in the European market.
In the event that the technical regulations applicable in a given country are in
any way changed, we may be required to modify, redesign or recall some of our
products in order to continue participating in that market. In addition, our
products must meet our customers' requirements which, given the rapid pace of
technological change in our industry, may change frequently. These changes could
increase manufacturing costs and could create technical advantages for products
marketed by our competitors.


                                        9
<PAGE>   14

OUR INABILITY TO PROTECT OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS COULD HARM OUR
  BUSINESS.


     We rely on trade secrets and confidentiality agreements with employees and
third parties to protect our intellectual property, both of which offer only
limited protection. In the past, we have not devoted resources to obtain patent,
copyright or trademark protection of our technologies. Consequently, none of our
technology is currently patented and we hold no copyrights or trademarks. In
addition, the laws of other countries in which we market our products may afford
little or no effective protection of our proprietary technology. Third parties
may infringe our intellectual property rights or devise designs that circumvent
our intellectual property. We may not be able to detect unauthorized use of our
intellectual property or effectively enforce our rights. Litigation may be
necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect
our trade secrets or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary
rights of others. Such litigation could result in substantial costs and
diversion of management resources, either of which could harm our business.


IF ANY THIRD PARTIES CLAIM THAT WE INFRINGE UPON THEIR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
RIGHTS, WE COULD FACE SUBSTANTIAL LICENSING OR LITIGATION COSTS, OR COULD BE
FORCED TO STOP SELLING SOME OF OUR PRODUCTS.

     Our products are complex and include substantial amounts of technology.
Third parties who believe that our products infringe upon their intellectual
property may assert such rights, which could result in litigation. Any
litigation over intellectual property rights, whether with or without merit,
would be time consuming, expensive and distracting to our management. Litigation
could also subject us to extensive liabilities, including monetary damages and
injunctions preventing us from selling some of our products. Moreover, we could
be forced to enter into licensing agreements or sell the rights to our products
or technology on unfavorable terms, in order to avoid claims of infringement.
Unfavorable outcomes regarding claims of infringement of the intellectual
property rights of third parties could harm our business.

                         RISKS RELATED TO THIS OFFERING

THE SIGNIFICANT CONTROL OVER SHAREHOLDER VOTING MATTERS THAT MAY BE EXERCISED BY
OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS WILL DEPRIVE YOU OF THE ABILITY TO
INFLUENCE CORPORATE ACTIONS.


     After this offering, our executive officers and directors and their family
members will control approximately 81.5% of the outstanding common stock.
Lawrence A. Johnson, our founder, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
President, and members of his family, will control approximately 70.6% of the
outstanding common stock after this offering. This concentration of ownership
may have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change in our
control, could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium
for their common stock as part of a sale of our company and might affect the
market price of shares of our common stock.


OUR SHARE PRICE MAY BE HIGHLY VOLATILE AND COULD DECLINE UNEXPECTEDLY.

     Following this offering, the price for shares of our common stock could be
highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to the following
factors:

     - quarterly variations in our operating results;

     - announcements of new product introductions by us or our competitors;

     - changes in investor perception of us or the market for our products;

     - changes in financial estimates by securities analysts; and

     - changes in general economic and market conditions.

                                       10
<PAGE>   15

     The stocks of many technology companies have experienced significant
fluctuations in trading price and volume. Often these fluctuations have been
unrelated to the operating performance of these companies. In particular,
following initial public offerings, the market prices for stocks of technology
companies often reach unsustainable levels that bear no established relationship
to the operating performance of these companies. These broad market and industry
factors may significantly affect the market price of our common stock,
regardless of our actual operating performance. Declines in the market price of
our common stock could also harm employee morale and retention, limit our access
to capital and affect other aspects of our business.

ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS IN OUR CHARTER DOCUMENTS AND MINNESOTA LAW COULD
PREVENT OR DELAY A CHANGE IN CONTROL OF OUR COMPANY.

     Provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws and Minnesota law
may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition that a shareholder may
consider favorable and may limit the market price of our common stock. These
provisions include the following:

     - establishing a classified board in which only a portion of the total
       board members will be elected at each annual meeting;

     - authorizing the board to issue preferred stock;

     - prohibiting cumulative voting in the election of directors; and

     - limiting the persons who may call special meetings of shareholders.

     In addition, the Minnesota Control Share Acquisition Act and the Minnesota
Business Corporation Act may make it more difficult for third parties to secure
control of the company or to complete an acquisition. These acts may discourage
unsolicited takeover offers, which could deprive our shareholders of
opportunities to sell their shares of common stock at prices higher than
prevailing market prices.

FUTURE SALES BY EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS COULD DEPRESS THE MARKET PRICE OF OUR
  COMMON STOCK.


     If our existing shareholders sell a large number of shares of our common
stock, the market price of the common stock could decline significantly.
Moreover, the perception in the public market that our existing shareholders
might sell shares of common stock could depress the market price of our common
stock. Immediately after this offering, our existing shareholders will hold
approximately 31,135,948 shares. All of these shares are subject to lock-up
agreements restricting their sale for 180 days after the effective date of the
registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part. Thereafter,
virtually all of these shares will be available for resale in the public market
subject to volume restrictions.



     After this offering, we intend to register approximately 8,280,000 shares
of our common stock that we have issued or may issue under our stock plans. Once
we register these shares, they can be freely sold in the public market upon
issuance, subject to the lock-up agreements restricting their sale for 180 days
after the effective date of the registration statement, of which this prospectus
is a part.


                                       11
<PAGE>   16

                           FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     This prospectus contains forward-looking statements in "Prospectus
Summary," "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations," "Business" and elsewhere. These statements
relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you
can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will,"
"should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict,"
"potential" or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable
terminology. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the risks outlined under "Risk
Factors," that may cause our or our industry's actual results, level of
activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future
results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by
these forward-looking statements.

     Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking
statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of
activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person
assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of these statements. We
are under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date
of this prospectus to conform these statements to actual results.

                                       12
<PAGE>   17

                                USE OF PROCEEDS


     We will receive net proceeds of approximately $66.1 million from the sale
of shares of common stock by us in this offering at the assumed initial public
offering price of $16.00 per share after deducting underwriting commissions and
discounts and estimated offering expenses. We will not receive any of the
proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling shareholders.


     The principal purposes of this offering are to obtain additional working
capital for the expansion of our manufacturing capacity and the pursuit of other
growth opportunities, to create a public market for our common stock and to
facilitate future access to public markets. We will use approximately $1.3
million of the net proceeds of this offering to repay a note issued to finance
the repurchase of shares of our common stock from a third party in the first
quarter of 2000. The note matures in April 2003 and bears interest at a rate
equal to prime plus 1.5%, or 11% at June 30, 2000.

     In addition, we may use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire
complementary products, technologies or businesses. We currently have no
commitments or agreements and are not involved in any negotiations to make any
such acquisitions. Pending use of the net proceeds of this offering, we intend
to invest the net proceeds in interest-bearing, investment-grade securities.

                                DIVIDEND POLICY

     We currently intend to retain any future earnings to finance the growth and
development of our business and therefore do not anticipate paying any cash
dividends in the foreseeable future. Our current loan agreement limits the
payment of cash dividends on our common stock.

                                       13
<PAGE>   18

                                 CAPITALIZATION

     The following table sets forth our capitalization as of June 30, 2000:

     - on an actual basis; and


     - on a pro forma as adjusted basis to give effect to our receipt of the net
       proceeds from the sale of 4,500,000 shares of common stock in this
       offering by us at an assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per
       share.


     This table should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our financial
statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in this prospectus.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     JUNE 30, 2000
                                                                -----------------------
                                                                ACTUAL     AS ADJUSTED
                                                                -------    ------------
                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT
                                                                SHARE DATA, UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                             <C>        <C>
Long-term debt, less current portion........................    $  856       $     --
Shareholders' equity:
     Common stock, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares
      authorized, 31,635,948 shares issued and outstanding
      actual, 36,135,948 shares issued and outstanding as
      adjusted..............................................       316            361
     Additional paid-in capital.............................        --         66,040
     Retained earnings......................................     7,071          7,071
     Notes receivable secured by common stock...............       (77)           (77)
                                                                ------       --------
          Total shareholders' equity........................     7,310         73,395
                                                                ------       --------
            Total capitalization............................    $8,166       $ 73,395
                                                                ======       ========
</TABLE>


     This table excludes the following shares:

     - 3,642,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of
       outstanding stock options at a weighted average exercise price of $0.35
       per share;

     - 4,038,000 shares of common stock available for future grant under our
       stock option plans; and

     - 600,000 shares of common stock available for issuance under our employee
       stock purchase plan.

                                       14
<PAGE>   19

                                    DILUTION

     If you invest in our common stock, your interest will be diluted to the
extent of the difference between the public offering price per share of our
common stock and the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share of
our common stock after this offering. Net tangible book value per share
represents the amount of our total tangible assets less total liabilities,
divided by the number of shares of common stock outstanding.


     Our net tangible book value as of June 30, 2000 was $7.3 million, or
approximately $0.23 per share. After giving effect to our sale of the 4,500,000
shares by us of common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public
offering price of $16.00 per share, less estimated underwriting discounts and
commissions and estimated offering expenses, our pro forma net tangible book
value as of June 30, 2000 would have been approximately $73.4 million, or $2.03
per share. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book
value of $1.80 per share to existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in
pro forma net tangible book value of $13.97 per share to purchasers of common
stock in this offering. The following table illustrates this dilution:



<TABLE>
<S>                                                             <C>      <C>
Assumed initial public offering price per share.............             $16.00
          Net tangible book value per share as of June 30,
            2000............................................    $0.23
          Increase per share attributable to new
            investors.......................................     1.80
                                                                -----
Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share
  after the offering........................................               2.03
                                                                         ------
Dilution per share to new investors.........................             $13.97
                                                                         ======
</TABLE>


     The following table sets forth, on a pro forma as adjusted basis as of June
30, 2000 the differences between the number of shares of common stock purchased,
the total consideration paid and the average price per share paid by the
existing shareholders and the new investors purchasing shares of common stock in
this offering:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    SHARES PURCHASED        TOTAL CONSIDERATION
                                  ---------------------    ----------------------      AVERAGE PRICE
                                    NUMBER      PERCENT      AMOUNT       PERCENT        PER SHARE
                                  ----------    -------    -----------    -------    -----------------
    <S>                           <C>           <C>        <C>            <C>        <C>
    Existing shareholders.....    31,635,948     87.5%     $   705,641      1.0%          $ 0.02
    New public investors......     4,500,000     12.5       72,000,000     99.0            16.00
              Total...........    36,135,948      100%     $72,705,641      100%
                                  ==========     ====      ===========     ====
</TABLE>


     The above tables exclude the following shares:

     - 3,642,000 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options at a
       weighted average exercise price of $0.35 per share;

     - 4,038,000 shares of common stock available for future grant under our
       stock option plans; and

     - 600,000 shares of common stock available for issuance under our employee
       stock purchase plan.


     If exercisable options to purchase 3,642,000 shares of common stock had
been exercised as of June 30, 2000, our pro forma net tangible book value per
share as of that date would have been $1.88 and dilution to new investors would
have been $14.12 per share. See "Capitalization" and "Management -- Employee
Benefit Plans."


                                       15
<PAGE>   20

                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

     The following selected financial data for the years ended December 31,
1997, 1998, and 1999 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 1998 and
1999, are derived from our audited financial statements included elsewhere in
this prospectus. The statements of income data for the years ended December 31,
1995 and 1996, and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 1995, 1996, and
1997 are derived from our audited financial statements, which are not included
in this prospectus. The selected financial data as of June 30, 2000, and for the
six months ended June 30, 1999 and 2000 are derived from unaudited financial
statements which, in the opinion of our management, reflect all adjustments,
consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, that we consider necessary for
a fair presentation of our financial position and results of operations for
these periods.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      SIX MONTHS
                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                   ENDED JUNE 30,
                                             --------------------------------------------------    -----------------
                                              1995       1996       1997      1998       1999       1999      2000
                                             -------    -------    ------    -------    -------    ------    -------
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                          <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
     Sales...............................    $ 5,131    $ 5,104    $7,566    $11,848    $17,404    $8,186    $16,601
     Cost of sales.......................      2,057      2,283     3,079      5,091      7,754     3,381      7,150
                                             -------    -------    ------    -------    -------    ------    -------
          Gross margin...................      3,074      2,821     4,487      6,757      9,650     4,805      9,451
                                             -------    -------    ------    -------    -------    ------    -------
     Operating expenses:
          Marketing and sales............      1,165      1,107     1,452      1,934      2,474     1,226      1,654
          Research and development.......        804      1,012     1,057      1,888      2,322     1,076      2,157
          General and administrative.....        450        510       640        846      1,378       558      1,064
                                             -------    -------    ------    -------    -------    ------    -------
               Total operating
                 expenses................      2,419      2,629     3,149      4,668      6,174     2,860      4,875
                                             -------    -------    ------    -------    -------    ------    -------
     Operating income....................        655        192     1,338      2,089      3,476     1,945      4,576
     Other income (expense), net.........         18         11        49        111         53       (31)       (10)
                                             -------    -------    ------    -------    -------    ------    -------
     Income before income taxes..........        673        203     1,387      2,200      3,529     1,914      4,566
     Income tax expense..................        250         65       483        772      1,269       690      1,661
                                             -------    -------    ------    -------    -------    ------    -------
     Net income..........................    $   423    $   138    $  904    $ 1,428    $ 2,260    $1,224    $ 2,905
                                             =======    =======    ======    =======    =======    ======    =======
     Net income per share:(1)
          Basic..........................    $  0.01    $    --    $ 0.02    $  0.03    $  0.06    $ 0.03    $  0.08
                                             =======    =======    ======    =======    =======    ======    =======
          Diluted........................    $  0.01    $    --    $ 0.02    $  0.03    $  0.05    $ 0.03    $  0.08
                                             =======    =======    ======    =======    =======    ======    =======
     Dividends per common share..........    $    --    $    --    $ .002    $    --    $    --    $   --    $    --
                                             =======    =======    ======    =======    =======    ======    =======
     Shares used in computing net income
       per share:(1)
          Basic..........................     44,462     44,178    44,052     42,345     39,933    41,204     34,433
                                             =======    =======    ======    =======    =======    ======    =======
          Diluted........................     44,462     44,178    44,390     43,168     41,313    42,490     36,958
                                             =======    =======    ======    =======    =======    ======    =======
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          DECEMBER 31,
                                                      ----------------------------------------------------    JUNE 30,
                                                       1995        1996        1997        1998      1999       2000
                                                      ------      ------      ------      ------    ------    --------
                                                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                   <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
     Cash and cash equivalents....................    $1,116      $  842      $2,000      $1,889    $1,041    $   617
     Working capital..............................     2,591       2,583       3,348       3,714     4,689      6,887
     Total assets.................................     3,786       3,611       5,299       6,200     7,228     11,661
     Long-term debt, less current portion.........        99          56          12          --        --        856
     Shareholders' equity.........................     3,106       3,148       3,971       4,614     5,835      7,310
</TABLE>

------------------------------
(1) See note 1 of the notes to our financial statements for an explanation of
    the determination of the number of weighted average shares used to compute
    basic and diluted net income per share.

                                       16
<PAGE>   21

                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and
results of operations should be read in conjunction with "Selected Financial
Data" and our financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this
document.

OVERVIEW

     We develop, manufacture and market optical test and measurement equipment
designed to enable optical component vendors to increase unit production,
improve manufacturing yields, accelerate the development of innovative products
and reduce manufacturing costs. We introduced our first product in 1986 and
currently offer test and measurement equipment in 12 product families. We are
able to leverage our 14 years of experience in developing advanced optical test
and measurement equipment to provide our customers with innovative solutions
designed to meet their complex and rapidly changing requirements.

     We sell our products primarily to optical component vendors in the
telecommunications market and also to optical systems vendors as well as other
companies. We sell our products to over 300 customers and distributors,
including Agilent Technologies, Inc., Corning Incorporated, Corvis Corporation,
JDS Uniphase Corporation, Lucent Technologies, Inc. and Nortel Networks
Corporation. In the six months ended June 30, 2000, Corning Incorporated and JDS
Uniphase Corporation accounted for approximately 22% and 11% of our sales,
respectively. In the year ended December 31, 1999, Corning Incorporated and
Lucent Technologies accounted for approximately 26% and 11% of our sales,
respectively.


     We market and sell our products through our direct sales force in North
America and primarily through distributors in international markets. For the six
months ended June 30, 2000 and the year ended December 31, 1999, 69% and 71%,
respectively, of our sales were in North America, with the remainder primarily
in Europe and Japan. Substantially all of our sales are made on the basis of
purchase orders rather than long-term agreements or requirements contracts. As a
result, we commit resources to development and production of products without
receiving advance or long-term purchase commitments from customers. We recognize
revenue from the sale of our products at the time title passes to the customer,
which is typically when products are shipped to domestic customers and when
received by international customers. We generally provide a limited one-year
warranty on all of our products and accrue estimated warranty costs at the time
of sale.


     Most of our executive, finance and administrative personnel are located at
our headquarters in Bozeman, Montana. We opened our Boulder, Colorado facility
in August 1998. We operate manufacturing facilities in Bozeman and in Boulder
and continue to expand our research and development and manufacturing capacities
in both locations. As of June 30, 2000, we had 139 employees in Bozeman, 30
employees in Boulder and 4 employees in our international sales offices.

     Our cost of sales consists primarily of raw materials, wages and related
expenses of production personnel and other manufacturing overhead. Costs of
materials and lead times may increase in future periods due to limited supply or
shortages of key materials in our industry, including lasers. To address these
long lead times and material shortages, we are beginning to purchase larger
quantities of some materials. We believe that expanding our manufacturing
facilities is critical to our success, and we expect fixed manufacturing costs
to increase in absolute dollars as we operate expanded facilities.

     Marketing and sales expenses consist primarily of salaries and related
expenses for personnel, sales commissions, travel expenses, advertising, trade
shows, marketing materials and sales support. We intend to significantly expand
our field sales force with an emphasis on placing additional sales engineers
near our key customers throughout North America, Europe and Japan and to open
                                       17
<PAGE>   22

additional sales and service centers. We also intend to expand our marketing and
sales capabilities with additional personnel and training. We anticipate that
our marketing and sales expenses will continue to increase in absolute dollars
in the future.

     Research and development expenses consist primarily of salaries and related
expenses for engineers and other technical personnel, fees paid to third party
consultants and the cost of materials related to new product development. We
expense our research and development costs as they are incurred. We believe that
continued investment in research and development is an important part of our
business strategy and we expect that research and development expenses will
continue to increase in absolute dollars in the future.

     General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, wages
and related expenses for personnel, travel expenses, professional services,
management information systems, human resources and other corporate expenses. We
expect general and administrative expenses to increase in absolute dollars as we
continue to expand our business operations.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     The following table sets forth certain operating data as a percentage of
sales for the periods indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             SIX MONTHS
                                                                YEAR ENDED                     ENDED
                                                               DECEMBER 31,                   JUNE 30,
                                                        ---------------------------       ----------------
                                                        1997       1998       1999        1999       2000
                                                        -----      -----      -----       -----      -----
<S>                                                     <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>
AS A PERCENTAGE OF SALES:
     Sales........................................      100.0%     100.0%     100.0%      100.0%     100.0%
     Cost of sales................................       40.7       43.0       44.6        41.3       43.1
                                                        -----      -----      -----       -----      -----
          Gross margin............................       59.3       57.0       55.4        58.7       56.9
                                                        -----      -----      -----       -----      -----
     Operating expenses:
          Marketing and sales.....................       19.2       16.3       14.2        15.0       10.0
          Research and development................       14.0       15.9       13.3        13.1       13.0
          General and administrative..............        8.4        7.1        7.9         6.8        6.4
                                                        -----      -----      -----       -----      -----
          Total operating expenses................       41.6       39.3       35.4        34.9       29.4
                                                        -----      -----      -----       -----      -----
     Operating income.............................       17.7       17.7       20.0        23.8       27.6
     Other income (expense), net..................        0.6        0.9        0.3        (0.4)      (0.1)
                                                        -----      -----      -----       -----      -----
     Income before income taxes...................       18.3       18.6       20.3        23.4       27.5
     Income tax expense...........................        6.4        6.5        7.3         8.4       10.0
                                                        -----      -----      -----       -----      -----
          Net income..............................       11.9%      12.1%      13.0%       15.0%      17.5%
                                                        =====      =====      =====       =====      =====
</TABLE>

COMPARISON OF SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 AND 2000

     Sales. Sales increased approximately 102.8% from $8.2 million for the six
months ended June 30, 1999 to $16.6 million for the six months ended June 30,
2000. Our increased sales were due primarily to the overall growth in demand for
optical test and measurement products, our introduction of new products, an
increase in our international sales and the implementation of our key account
sales process, which resulted in increased sales to our key account customers.

     Gross Margin. Gross margin decreased from approximately 58.7% in the six
months ended June 30, 1999 to 56.9% in the six months ended June 30, 2000. The
decrease in gross margin of approximately 1.8% was attributable to several
factors, including increased sales of products with a relatively higher material
cost, an increase in manufacturing overhead associated with increased

                                       18
<PAGE>   23

staffing of our Boulder manufacturing facility and a decrease in the sales
prices in one of our product lines to meet competitive pressures. Competitive
pricing pressures in the optical networking industry may impact our gross
margins in future quarters.

     Marketing and Sales. Marketing and sales expenses increased approximately
34.9% from $1.2 million, or 15.0% of sales, in the six months ended June 30,
1999 to $1.7 million, or 10.0% of sales, in the six months ended June 30, 2000.
Marketing and sales expenses decreased as a percentage of sales as a result of
the significant increase in sales in the six months ended June 30, 2000.
Increases in marketing and sales expenses were related to the hiring and
training of additional direct sales personnel to manage and expand our customer
base. We increased the number of our sales personnel from 12 as of June 30, 1999
to 22 as of June 30, 2000.

     Research and Development. Research and development expenses increased
approximately 100.4% from $1.1 million, or 13.1% of sales, in the six months
ended June 30, 1999 to $2.2 million, or 13.0% of sales, in the six months ended
June 30, 2000. While research and development expenses remained constant as a
percentage of sales, our research and development spending increased in absolute
dollars as we added personnel and incurred other expenses and as we continued to
invest in new product development. We increased the number of our research and
development personnel from 18 as of June 30, 1999 to 40 as of June 30, 2000.

     General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased
approximately 90.7% from $558,000, or 6.8% of sales, in the six months ended
June 30, 1999 to $1.1 million, or 6.4% of sales, in the six months ended June
30, 2000. The increase in general and administrative expenses was due primarily
to additional staffing, increased professional services, administration of our
Boulder facility and other expenses necessary to manage and support our
increased business operations.

     Other Income (Expense), Net. Interest and other expense, net was $31,000
for the six months ended June 30, 1999 compared with an expense of $10,000 for
the six months ended June 30, 2000.

     Income Tax Expense. Our provision for income taxes of $690,000 for the six
months ended June 30, 1999 and $1.7 million for the six months ended June 30,
2000 consisted of estimated federal and state income taxes. The effective tax
rate for the six months ended June 30, 1999 was 36.0% and the estimated
effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2000 was 36.4%. The
effective rates differ from our expected tax rate of 38.5% due primarily to
research and development tax credits.

COMPARISON OF YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1999

     Sales. Sales increased approximately 46.9% from $11.8 million in 1998 to
$17.4 million in 1999. This increase was due primarily to the overall growth in
demand for optical test and measurement products, our focus on key accounts and
sales from the introduction of our new modular products. In addition, our
international sales increased approximately 93.5% from $2.6 million in 1998 to
$5.0 million in 1999 as we focused efforts on key account opportunities in
Europe.

     Gross Margin. Gross margin decreased from 57.0% in 1998 to 55.4% in 1999.
The decrease in gross margin of approximately 1.6% was due to pricing
adjustments made to meet competitive pressures, increased sales of products with
relatively higher material costs and increased costs related to the opening of
our manufacturing facility in Boulder, Colorado.

     Marketing and Sales. Marketing and sales expenses increased approximately
27.9% from $1.9 million, or 16.3% of sales, in 1998 to $2.5 million, or 14.2% of
sales, in 1999. The increase in absolute dollars was related to the expansion of
our marketing and sales efforts, including the hiring of additional marketing
and sales personnel, increased travel, the establishment of our key account
management process and our continued expansion into international markets.

                                       19
<PAGE>   24

     Research and Development. Research and development expenses increased
approximately 23.0% from $1.9 million, or 15.9% of sales, in 1998 to $2.3
million, or 13.3% of sales, in 1999. While research and development expenses
declined as a percentage of sales, our research and development spending
increased in absolute dollars as we hired additional personnel to support new
product development efforts.

     General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased
approximately 62.9% from $846,000, or 7.1% of sales, in 1998 to $1.4 million, or
7.9% of sales, in 1999. The increase was due to additional staffing,
professional services and other expenses associated with the expansion of our
business.

     Other Income (Expense), Net. Interest and other income, net was $111,000 in
1998, compared with $53,000 in 1999. The difference was due primarily to foreign
exchange gains of $50,000 in 1998 compared with foreign exchange gains of $8,000
in 1999.

     Income Tax Expense. Our provision for income taxes of $772,000 for 1998 and
$1.3 million for 1999 consisted of estimated federal and state income taxes. The
effective tax rate for 1998 was 35.1% and the effective tax rate for 1999 was
36.0%. The effective tax rates differ from our expected tax rate of 38.5% due
primarily to research and development tax credits.

COMPARISON OF YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1998

     Sales. Sales increased approximately 56.6% from $7.6 million in 1997 to
$11.8 million in 1998. The increase was due primarily to the growth in sales
resulting from an increased focus on optical manufacturing market opportunities.

     Gross Margin. Gross margin decreased from 59.3% in 1997 to 57.0% in 1998.
The decrease in gross margin of approximately 2.3% was due primarily to a change
in our product mix with an increase in sales of products with a higher material
cost.

     Marketing and Sales. Marketing and sales expenses increased approximately
33.2% from $1.5 million, or 19.2% of sales, in 1997 to $1.9 million, or 16.3% of
sales, in 1998. The increase in absolute dollars was related to additional staff
hired in 1998 to respond to the overall growth in demand for optical test and
measurement products.

     Research and Development. Research and development expenses increased
approximately 78.7% from $1.1 million, or 14.0% of sales, in 1997 to $1.9
million, or 15.9% of sales, in 1998 as we continued to increase our new product
development efforts.

     General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased
approximately 32.2% from $640,000, or 8.4% of sales, in 1997 to $846,000 or 7.1%
of sales in 1998. The increase was due primarily to increased administrative
costs related to the opening of our Boulder facility.

     Other Income (Expense), Net. Interest and other income, net was $49,000 for
1997, compared to $111,000 in 1998. The increase was due primarily to foreign
exchange losses in 1997 of $28,000 compared to foreign exchange gains of $50,000
in 1998.

     Income Tax Expense. The provision for income taxes of $483,000 for 1997 and
$772,000 for 1998 consisted of estimated federal and state income taxes. The
effective tax rate for 1997 was 34.8% and the effective tax rate for 1998 was
35.1%. The effective rates differ from our expected tax rate of 38.5% due
primarily to research and development tax credits.

                                       20
<PAGE>   25

SELECTED QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     The following table sets forth certain unaudited statement of operations
data for the eight quarters ended June 30, 2000 as well as this data expressed
as a percentage of our sales for the periods indicated. Our quarterly results
have varied in the past and may significantly vary in the future. We believe
that quarter-to-quarter comparisons will not be meaningful and should not be
used as an indication of our future performance. This data has been derived from
unaudited financial statements that, in our opinion, include all adjustments,
consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair
presentation of the financial information for periods presented. This
information should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the
related notes included in this prospectus.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                      -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      SEPT. 30,   DEC. 31,   MARCH 31,   JUNE 30,   SEPT. 30,   DEC. 31,   MARCH 31,   JUNE 30,
                                        1998        1998       1999        1999       1999        1999       2000        2000
                                      ---------   --------   ---------   --------   ---------   --------   ---------   --------
<S>                                   <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>
Sales................................  $3,173      $3,390     $3,200      $4,986     $4,148      $5,070     $6,624      $9,977
Cost of sales........................   1,337       1,474      1,339       2,042      1,874       2,499      2,897       4,253
                                       ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------
    Gross margin.....................   1,836       1,916      1,861       2,944      2,274       2,571      3,727       5,724
                                       ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------
Operating expenses:
  Marketing and sales................     467         585        544         682        552         696        772         882
  Research and development...........     473         618        562         514        573         673        872       1,285
  General and administrative.........     199         330        269         289        324         496        443         621
                                       ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------
    Total operating expenses.........   1,139       1,533      1,375       1,485      1,449       1,865      2,087       2,788
                                       ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------
Operating income.....................     697         383        486       1,459        825         706      1,640       2,936
Other income (expense), net..........      15          90         (7)        (24)        80           4         15         (25)
                                       ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------
Income before income taxes...........     712         473        479       1,435        905         710      1,655       2,911
Income tax expense...................     282         133        172         518        324         255        607       1,054
                                       ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------
    Net income.......................  $  430      $  340     $  307      $  917     $  581      $  455     $1,048      $1,857
                                       ======      ======     ======      ======     ======      ======     ======      ======
    Basic earnings per share.........  $  .01      $  .01     $  .01      $  .02     $  .01      $  .01     $  .03      $  .06
                                       ======      ======     ======      ======     ======      ======     ======      ======
    Diluted earnings per share.......  $  .01      $  .01     $  .01      $  .02     $  .01      $  .01     $  .03      $  .05
                                       ======      ======     ======      ======     ======      ======     ======      ======
AS A PERCENTAGE OF SALES:
Sales................................     100%        100%       100%        100%       100%        100%       100%        100%
Cost of sales........................      42          43         42          41         45          49         44          43
                                       ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------
    Gross margin.....................      58          57         58          59         55          51         56          57
                                       ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------
Operating expenses:
  Marketing and sales................      15          17         17          14         13          14         12           9
  Research and development...........      15          18         18          10         14          13         13          13
  General and administrative.........       6          10          8           6          8          10          6           6
                                       ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------
    Total operating expenses.........      36          45         43          30         35          37         31          28
                                       ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------
Operating income.....................      22          12         15          29         20          14         25          29
Other income, (expense) net..........      --           2         --          --          2          --         --          --
                                       ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------
Income before taxes..................      22          14         15          29         22          14         25          29
Income tax expense...................       9           4          5          11          8           5          9          10
                                       ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------     ------      ------
    Net income.......................      13%         10%        10%         18%        14%          9%        16%         19%
                                       ======      ======     ======      ======     ======      ======     ======      ======
</TABLE>


     Sales increased in each of the previous eight quarters with the exception
of the three months ended March 31, 1999 and September 30, 1999. We experience
fluctuations in sales as a result of the timing of large volume customer orders.
This occurred in both the three months ended March 31, 1999 and September 30,
1999. In addition, the decrease in sales in the three months ended September 30,
1999 was partially due to competitive pricing pressures.

     Gross margins were negatively affected in the second half of 1999 due
primarily to reductions in the price of certain products, including greater
price reductions for sales to high volume customers, to meet competitive
pressures.

                                       21
<PAGE>   26


     Marketing and sales expenses have generally increased in each of the past
eight quarters. The increase in the three months ended December 31, 1998 was due
primarily to a one-time charge of approximately $80,000 in connection with a
marketing decision related to a product that did not perform to our or our
customers' expectations. We established a reserve of $80,000 to account for our
materials and labor associated with the repair and upgrade of the product to
meet the original product specifications and customer expectations. As products
were returned to us for repair and upgrade, we charged the reserve account for
labor and materials. All products were returned and accounted for by December
31, 1999. The increase in the three months ended June 30, 1999 was due primarily
to increases in travel, hiring and relocation costs, salaries and catalog
expenses.


     Research and development expenses increased in each of the past eight
quarters with the exception of a decrease in the three months ended June 30,
1999. Research and development expenses increased in the three months ended
December 31, 1998 due primarily to increased salaries, third party consulting
fees and materials related to a major initiative to release an upgrade of one of
our modular products. Research and developments expenses decreased in the three
months ended June 30, 1999 due to temporary decreases in project materials and
use of third party consultants.

     General and administrative expenses have generally increased in each of the
eight previous quarters. In the three months ended December 31, 1998 the
increase in our expenses primarily related to the opening of our Boulder
facility. General and administrative expenses in the three months ended December
31, 1999 were impacted by a charge related to separation agreements entered into
with two of our former employees.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     Since our inception, we have financed our operations and met our capital
expenditure requirements primarily through cash flows from operations and
private sales of our common stock.

     Cash flows from operating activities were $1.5 million in 1997, $1.1
million in 1998, $709,000 in 1999 and $93,000 for the six months ended June 30,
2000. The decrease in cash flow for the six months ended June 30, 2000 was due
primarily to increases in receivables and inventory. Our need for increased
working capital is consistent with our increased sales during this period. As of
June 30, 2000, we had cash and cash equivalents of $617,000 and working capital
of $6.9 million.

     Net cash used in investing activities was $259,000 in 1997, $338,000 in
1998, $490,000 in 1999 and $411,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2000.
Substantially all of the cash used in investing activities has been for the
purchase of capital equipment used to support the expansion of our business.

     Net cash used in financing activities was $125,000 in 1997, $829,000 in
1998, $1.1 million in 1999 and $107,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2000.
The cash was used in 1997 for debt repayments and the payment of a dividend in
the amount of $92,000. In 1998, 1999 and the six months ended June 30, 2000,
$720,000, $1.1 million and $1.4 million, respectively, were used to repurchase
stock from a former shareholder. In conjunction with the stock repurchase in the
six months ended June 30, 2000, we entered into a loan agreement for $1.4
million, maturing in April 2003. This term loan requires monthly payments of
principal of $39,000 plus interest. Interest is paid at a rate equal to one and
a half percent above prime rate, or 11% at June 30, 2000. As of June 30, 2000,
approximately $1.3 million was outstanding on this loan. The loan agreement has
placed certain restrictions on us, including the payment of cash dividends.

     We also have a $2.0 million revolving working capital line of credit that
expires in March 2001. As of June 30, 2000, we did not have any advances under
the line of credit. Advances under the line of credit are limited to a
percentage of outstanding accounts receivable. The line of credit

                                       22
<PAGE>   27

bears interest, payable monthly, at a rate equal to three-quarters of a percent
above prime rate, or 10.25% as of June 30, 2000.

     We believe that the net proceeds from this offering, together with our
current cash and cash equivalents, will be sufficient to fund our operations for
at least the next 18 months. We could, however, need or choose to raise
additional funds or seek additional financing prior to or after the end of this
period. Our future financing needs will depend on many factors, including
potential strategic acquisitions of complementary businesses, products or
technology, the rate of our sales growth and our need to invest in personnel and
infrastructure to facilitate growth. We cannot assure you that such additional
financing would be available on acceptable terms, if at all.

QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Exchange Rate Sensitivity


     Our products are sold internationally. As a result, volatile movements in
currency exchange rates may affect financial results. Most of our overseas sales
are made in U.S. dollars except for sales in Japan, which are denominated in
Yen. In the year ended December 31, 1999 and the six months ended June 30, 2000,
approximately 7% and 11%, respectively, of our total sales were denominated in
Yen. A strengthening of the U.S. dollar could result in our products being less
competitive in foreign markets.


Interest Rate Risk

     Our exposure to interest rate risk is limited to our term loan, which bears
interest at one and half percent above the prime rate and our line of credit,
which bears interest at three quarters of a percent above the prime rate.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

     In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard, or SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." SFAS No. 133, as amended, will
be required to be implemented on January 1, 2001. SFAS No. 133 requires that
derivatives be reported on the balance sheet at fair value and, if the
derivative is not designated as a hedging instrument, changes in fair value must
be recognized in earnings in the period of change. Currently, we do not hold any
derivative instruments, so we expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 133 will not
have a material impact on our financial position.

     In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission released Staff
Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 101, "Revenue Recognition in Financial
Statements." SAB No. 101 provides guidance on revenue recognition issues in the
absence of authoritative literature addressing a specific arrangement or a
specific industry. SAB 101 has been amended by SAB 101A and SAB 101B, which
delays the implementation date of SAB 101 until no later than the fourth fiscal
quarter of 2000. We are currently assessing the impact of SAB 101. Its impact is
not expected to have a material impact on our financial position.

     In March 2000, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 44, or FIN 44,
"Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock Compensation, an
Interpretation of APB Opinion No. 25." FIN 44 provides guidance for issues that
have arisen in applying APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees." FIN 44 applies prospectively to new awards, exchanges of awards in a
business combination, modifications to outstanding awards, and changes in
grantee status that occur on or after July 1, 2000, except for the provisions
related to repricings and the definition of an employee which apply to awards
issued after December 15, 1998. We do not expect FIN 44 to have an impact on our
financial position.

                                       23
<PAGE>   28

     In May 2000, the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force, or EITF, reached a
consensus on Issue No. 00-14, "Accounting for Certain Sales Incentives," or the
sales incentive consensus. The consensus requires the reduction in or refund of
the selling price of the product or service resulting from any cash sales
incentive to be classified as a reduction of revenue. The sales incentive
consensus, which requires reclassification of prior period amounts, is effective
upon the adoption of SAB 101. We currently classify sales discounts as a
reduction of sales. Accordingly, our application of this consensus will not have
an impact on our reported sales, reported earnings or financial position.

     In July 2000, the EITF reached a consensus on Issue 00-10, "Accounting for
Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs," the shipping consensus. The shipping
consensus requires that amounts billed to a customer in a sale transaction
related to shipping and handling be classified as revenue. The shipping
consensus, which requires reclassification of prior period amounts, is effective
upon the adoption of SAB 101. We currently classify shipping revenues as a
reduction of shipping costs. We do not expect the application of this consensus
to have a material impact on our reported sales, cost of sales or operating
expenses. The application of this consensus will not have an impact on our
reported earnings or financial position.

                                       24
<PAGE>   29

                                    BUSINESS

OVERVIEW

     We develop, manufacture and market optical test and measurement equipment
designed to enable optical component vendors to increase unit production,
improve manufacturing yields, accelerate the development of innovative products
and reduce manufacturing costs. We introduced our first product in 1986 and
currently offer test and measurement equipment in 12 product families. We sell
our products directly to customers in North America and we primarily use a
network of distributors to sell our products internationally. Our customers
include some of the largest companies in the optical industry, including Corning
Incorporated, JDS Uniphase Corporation and Lucent Technologies, Inc. Our
objective is to be the leading provider of optical test and measurement
equipment for the optical components market.

INDUSTRY BACKGROUND

     Increased Demand for Network Capacity

     In recent years the volume of traffic on communications networks has
increased dramatically due to the growth of the Internet and related
bandwidth-intensive applications. Ryan Hankin Kent, Inc., or RHK, a
telecommunications industry research firm, estimates that Internet traffic,
which was 350,000 terabytes per month in 1999, will increase to more than 15
million terabytes per month in 2003. This growth in traffic has created
significant demand for increased capacity in communications networks and has
driven network service providers to rapidly deploy optical networking systems to
significantly increase network transmission capacity and provide greater network
functionality at a lower cost.

     Rapid Deployment of Optical Networks


     Optical networks transmit data using pulses of light transmitted through
glass fibers while traditional digital networks are based on electrical signals
transmitted over copper wires. Advances in optical networking technology have
led to greater network capacity and higher transmission speed than traditional
digital technologies. For example, dense wavelength division multiplexing, or
DWDM, can split signals into different wavelengths of light and transmit
multiple signals through a single fiber, which multiplies fiber capacity.
Recently introduced DWDM systems can carry as many as 160 wavelength channels
per optical fiber. As a result of these significant advances in optical
networking technology and the related increases in transmission capacity,
optical networks are being rapidly deployed worldwide. According to RHK, the
global DWDM and optical networking market is expected to increase from $14.6
billion in 2000 to $41 billion in 2003.


     The proliferation of optical networks has led to a growth in demand for the
optical networking systems that manage them. In addition, the need for optical
networking systems with enhanced features and capabilities has placed increased
pressure on established and emerging optical system vendors to develop
innovative products while also increasing their production volumes. In order to
meet these competitive pressures, system vendors are concentrating on their core
areas of expertise such as system integration and network management software
design. To maintain this focus, system vendors are requiring optical component
vendors to innovate and develop new components with greater functionality.

     Optical Components and Subsystems

     The rapid deployment of optical networking systems has increased demand for
optical components. Optical components are the building blocks of optical
networking systems and include active and passive components. Active components
require electricity and are used to generate,

                                       25
<PAGE>   30

control or amplify optical signals. Passive components do not require
electricity and are used to guide, filter, isolate, combine or split optical
signals. Subsystems consist of several components integrated into a single
package and offer the advantage of a more complete solution from a single
supplier rather than a combination of several components from multiple
suppliers. In addition, subsystems often also provide better performance at a
lower total cost.

     DWDM optical networking systems are comprised of a number of components and
subsystems, including transmitters, multiplexers, optical amplifiers,
demultiplexers and receivers. Transmitters incorporate source lasers that
generate the optical signal, which has been converted from electronic digital
data. Multiplexers combine signals from multiple source lasers onto a single
fiber. Optical amplifiers are inserted in DWDM systems at periodic intervals to
boost signal strength, which becomes weaker and more dispersed as it travels
through the fiber. Optical amplifiers are capable of boosting the signal
strength of all wavelength channels simultaneously without converting them into
electrical signals and without splitting the signal into its separate wavelength
channels. The receiving end of the system uses a demultiplexer to split the
optical signal into its constituent wavelength channels and a receiver to
convert the optical signal into its underlying electronic digital data. More
advanced DWDM systems include additional optical components, such as optical
add/drop multiplexers, or OADMs, that add flexibility and functionality to the
network by allowing optical signals to be added to or dropped from the fiber.

     [The description in the preceding paragraph is illustrated using a diagram
showing components of a DWDM system. The diagram shows multiple optical signals
being combined using a multiplexer, the optical signal passing through an
optical amplifier and an optical add/drop multiplexer and the optical signal
being separated into its separate wavelength channels by a demultiplexer.]

                                   [GRAPHIC]


     The diagram above depicts the components in a typical optical networking
system. The advances in transmission speed that optical networking systems and
components offer over traditional digital networking systems help to alleviate
network congestion and make Internet communications faster and easier.


     RHK estimates that the worldwide market for optical components will grow to
over $22.5 billion by 2003 from approximately $6.6 billion in 1999. To meet this
growing demand, optical component vendors are being required to supply greater
volumes of their components and subsystems, which places an increased emphasis
on their manufacturing processes and capacity. In addition, competitive
pressures are forcing optical component vendors to improve their manufacturing
yields and reduce their costs of manufacturing. Finally, in order to meet the
requirements of next generation DWDM systems, which are moving to higher channel
counts, higher speeds, longer transmission distances and increased
functionality, component vendors must develop and manufacture innovative optical
components and subsystems.

     Challenges Facing Optical Component Vendors

     Optical component vendors seeking to keep pace with rapidly growing demand
and to develop and introduce innovative components face significant challenges,
which include:

     Improving Yield and Increasing Production Volume. Optical component vendors
must significantly increase their yields and production volume to meet market
demand and remain competitive.

                                       26
<PAGE>   31

Current optical component manufacturing is time-consuming and is characterized
by low yields due to the precision required by, and the largely manual nature
of, the manufacturing process. These low manufacturing yields result in a higher
total costs of manufacturing. Optical component vendors need to invest in
processes and equipment that will improve yields, help manage capital equipment
expenditures and reduce their overall manufacturing costs.

     Conforming to Complex Component Specifications. Optical components must
conform to stringent performance and functionality specifications established by
system vendors. As optical components become more complex, the number of
individual tests that must be performed and the required level and difficulty of
conformity increases.

     Achieving High Rate of Innovation. Optical component technology is changing
rapidly as component vendors introduce innovative products such as DWDM source
lasers with higher power and the ability to tune to different wavelengths,
multiplexers and demultiplexers that can accommodate more wavelength channels
and wider bandwidth optical amplifiers. In addition, there is a growing demand
for subsystems that integrate several of these components. To research and
develop innovative components and subsystems and to verify their functionality,
optical component vendors require increasingly complex and evolving test
methodologies.

     Accelerating Product and Manufacturing Process Qualification. Once optical
component vendors have completed the design of a new product and implemented a
manufacturing process, system vendors must qualify both the product and the
manufacturing process before they will purchase the product. Increasing
component complexity and integration is making this qualification process more
difficult and time-consuming. Optical component vendors are increasingly seeking
solutions to help expedite their product qualification process and improve time
to market.

OPTICAL TEST AND MEASUREMENT EQUIPMENT MARKET OPPORTUNITY

     Optical component vendors must measure and control their components and
subsystems throughout the manufacturing process. Optical test and measurement
equipment is used to precisely measure, verify and optimize component and
subsystem performance. Additionally, optical test and measurement equipment is
used to precisely generate and control optical signals during the test
operations that component vendors perform to assess their manufacturing
processes and to develop new products. Key requirements of test and measurement
equipment include high levels of stability, repeatability, accuracy, measurement
speed and ease of use. Optical component vendors use optical test and
measurement equipment during their manufacture, assembly and performance
verification processes and to conduct advanced experiments and develop
prototypes of next generation products.

     In response to the challenges facing them, optical component vendors are
increasingly turning to sophisticated test and measurement equipment in order to
improve their manufacturing processes, improve quality and develop innovative
products. To meet these challenges, established and emerging optical component
vendors are rapidly increasing their investment in capital equipment. We believe
this trend will cause the optical test and measurement equipment market to grow
along with the market for optical components and evolve rapidly as innovative
optical components and subsystems are introduced. The continuing growth of the
optical networking market combined with the increasing demand for sophisticated
test and measurement solutions has created a significant opportunity for
manufacturers of optical test and measurement equipment.

THE ILX LIGHTWAVE SOLUTION

     We develop, manufacture and market optical test and measurement equipment
designed to enable optical component vendors to increase unit production,
improve manufacturing yields, accelerate the development of innovative products
and, reduce manufacturing costs. We are able to

                                       27
<PAGE>   32

leverage our 14 years of experience in developing advanced optical test and
measurement equipment to provide our customers with innovative solutions
designed to meet their complex and rapidly changing requirements. We believe our
products provide our customers the following key benefits:

     Improved Manufacturing Process. Our products are designed to allow our
customers to make fewer, more accurate measurements to assess component
functionality, diagnose manufacturing faults and identify inefficiencies.
Greater test speed, reliability and accuracy reduce the calibration time of
production equipment and optimize the manufacturing process to improve yields
and increase production volume. By supporting increasingly complex product tests
and by expediting testing times, our solutions enable optical component vendors
to shorten optical system vendors' qualification processes.

     Flexible and Upgradeable Product Design. The modular design of many of our
products enables component vendors to extend their test capabilities by adding
new test and measurement functionality in a pay-as-you-grow fashion as
production demands increase and test requirements change. This modular design
enables component vendors to manage their capital expenditures, protect their
initial capital equipment investments and conserve manufacturing floor space.

     Application-Focused Solutions. Because our products are designed for
specific sub-segments of the optical components market, they offer our customers
a focused solution that tests specific component characteristics and is closely
aligned with their manufacturing and product design needs. In addition, many of
our products integrate multiple test and measurement functions, allowing our
customers to avoid combining multiple test products from different vendors. For
example, the verification testing of laser diodes requires the control or
measurement of current, voltage, temperature, optical power and wavelength. Our
Laser Diode Parameter Analyzers family integrates these functions into a single
product.

     Advanced Technology and Features. Our products are designed to offer our
customers advanced technology and features that provide enhanced test
functionality and enable the acceleration of the development and manufacture of
innovative optical components. For example, our multi-channel fiber optic source
product family is designed to offer the highest levels of wavelength stability
available in the manufacturing process, which lengthens the time between test
system calibrations and provides a controlled environment to facilitate new
product development.

     Responsive Customer Service. We support our customers with a technically
qualified sales and service staff trained to quickly understand our customers'
technical requirements and recommend optimum test and measurement solutions. In
order to minimize our customers' production downtime, we offer repair and
calibration services at out customers' sites or at our service centers. Through
frequent interaction with our key customers, our sales and customer service
engineers are also able to help focus and direct our new product development
activities to keep pace with rapidly changing customer requirements.

STRATEGY

     Our objective is to be the leading provider of optical test and measurement
equipment for the optical components market. We intend to continue to develop
and introduce innovative optical test and measurement solutions that will
broaden our product lines and offer optical component vendors increased
manufacturing yields, improved quality and reduced overall cost of ownership of
their test and measurement equipment. Key elements of our strategy include:

     Continue to Focus on High-Growth Segments of the Optical Components
Market. We plan to continue to focus on selected, high-growth market segments
such as optical amplifier test, passive component test and DWDM laser test. We
believe that by focusing on these application-specific segments, we will be able
to offer highly differentiated test and measurement products and enhance our
position as a
                                       28
<PAGE>   33

market and technology leader. As these market segments mature and common test
methodologies become widely accepted, we intend to incorporate new functionality
into our products.

     Collaborate with Leading Optical Component Vendors. We intend to expand our
existing relationships with leading optical component vendors. We believe that
by expanding these relationships and developing relationships with emerging
optical component vendors, we will gain market and technology insights, maintain
our customer responsiveness and establish ourselves as the preferred provider of
optical test and measurement equipment.


     Expand Sales, Marketing and Customer Service Capabilities. We believe that
the highly technical nature and rapid evolution of our market requires a
customer-focused, technically knowledgeable sales, marketing and customer
service staff. By December 31, 2001, we intend to significantly expand our field
sales force to 16 from nine as of June 30, 2000, with an emphasis on placing
sales engineers near our key customers throughout North America, Europe and
Japan. We also intend to expand our marketing and product management
capabilities with additional staff and training. In order to meet our customers'
service needs, we also plan to expand our on-site calibration and repair
services in North America, Europe and Japan.


     Decrease Product Development Cycle Time. We believe our fast product
development cycle times have provided us with a competitive advantage by
allowing us to be first to market with innovative products and features. We
intend to continue to invest in, improve and refine our new product development
process by hiring additional engineering and support personnel, increasing
training and implementing advanced development tools.

     Pursue Strategic Acquisitions. We believe that market fragmentation in the
test and measurement industry creates opportunities for consolidation. We intend
to pursue acquisitions that allow us to gain access to key technologies,
expanded channels of distribution, skilled personnel, complementary products and
additional market segments.

PRODUCTS


     We believe that the history of our products has been characterized by
innovation. In 1986, shortly after our founding, we introduced our LDX-3207,
which we believe was the industry's first precision, low noise current source
for laser diode control. Since then, we have leveraged our extensive experience
to develop many advanced test and measurement solutions. In February 2000 we
introduced our SSB-9200, which we believe is the industry's first high-density
fiber optic source with an integrated wavelength division multiplexer for
optical amplifier test. Our products are also designed to be reliable, accurate
and easy-to-use. Most of our products offer fast, computer-controlled interfaces
for automated test in manufacturing environments. The computer-controlled
interfaces allow our products to be manipulated by a computer rather than
manually. Our products may be divided into the following product families:


     Fiber Optic Sources. Our fiber optic sources generate laser signals that
mimic the optical signals in optical networking systems. Our fiber optic source
instruments precisely control the optical power and wavelength of the signals
they generate. We offer our fiber optic sources in both single channel and
modular multi-channel versions. The modular versions of our products are
designed to

                                       29
<PAGE>   34

allow our customers to easily add functionality or additional wavelength
channels as their test requirements evolve.

<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                              <C>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 PRODUCT FAMILY                  DESCRIPTION                      PRIMARY APPLICATIONS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Multi-Channel Fiber Optic       Modular instruments capable      - Test of optical network
 Sources                         of generating precisely            systems, optical amplifiers
                                 controlled optical signals         and passive components
                                 with up to 48 wavelength
                                 channels. A greater number of
                                 wavelength channels can be
                                 accommodated by linking
                                 several instruments together
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Single Channel Fiber Optic      Instruments capable of           - Passive component test
 Sources                         generating precisely             - Research and development
                                 controlled optical signals
                                 based on a variety of laser
                                 types
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

     Laser Diode Instruments. Laser diodes used in optical networking systems
are typically complex devices that incorporate several sub-components including
a semiconductor laser chip, thermoelectric cooler and output monitoring
photodiode. Our laser diode instruments are designed to precisely measure and
control the operating parameters of these devices during test procedures.
Parameters that can be measured and controlled include current, voltage and
temperature for lasers, and current and voltage for thermoelectric coolers. In
addition, our laser diode instruments also monitor photodiode output current.
Our laser diode instruments offer low-noise, high stability outputs and multiple
laser protection features. In order to meet a variety of application
requirements, we offer our laser diode instruments in several versions including
single-output and modular, multi-channel output versions. The modular versions
of our instruments are designed to allow our customers to easily add
functionality or additional laser diode control outputs as their test
requirements evolve.

<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                              <C>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 PRODUCT FAMILY                  DESCRIPTION                      PRIMARY APPLICATIONS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Modular Laser Diode             Modular instruments capable      - Optical amplifier test
 Controllers                     of precisely controlling up
                                 to 16 laser diodes
                                 simultaneously
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Single Output Laser Diode       Instruments that combine both    - Controlling laser diodes
 Controllers                     current source and                 during assembly
                                 temperature control functions    - Research and development
                                 for a single laser diode
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Single Output Current           Instruments capable of           - Controlling laser diodes
 Sources                         precisely measuring and            during assembly
                                 controlling the current,         - Research and development
                                 voltage and monitoring
                                 photodiode output of a laser
                                 diode
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Single Output Temperature       Instruments capable of           - Controlling component
 Controllers                     precisely measuring and            temperature during assembly
                                 controlling the temperature      - Research and development
                                 of a laser diode or other
                                 optical components
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Pulsed Current Sources          Instruments capable of           - Testing unpackaged laser
                                 generating short pulses of         diodes during the
                                 current to power laser diodes      manufacturing process
                                                                  - Research and development
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       30
<PAGE>   35

     Laser Diode Parameter Analyzers. Our family of laser diode parameter
analyzers and associated software tools are designed to quickly and accurately
measure the operating characteristics of laser diodes.

<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                              <C>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 PRODUCT FAMILY                  DESCRIPTION                      PRIMARY APPLICATIONS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Laser Diode Parameter           Integrated instrument that       - Testing laser diodes during
 Analyzer and Software           combines laser diode control       the manufacturing process
                                 and optical power measurement    - Optical amplifier test
                                 functions. PC based software     - Incoming inspection of
                                 used for instrument control      laser diodes
                                 and allows fast, accurate        - Research and development
                                 compilation of data
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

     Power/Wavelength Meters. Our optical power/wavelength meters are designed
to accurately measure the power and/or wavelength of an optical signal from a
variety of sources. Some meters couple to our family of optical measurement
heads in order to accommodate a wide variety of test applications. Our recently
introduced Fiber Optic Power Meter, FPM-8210, is designed to allow operators to
quickly make accurate optical power measurements with the unterminated, or bare,
optical fiber that is commonly used during optical component assembly.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       PRODUCT FAMILY                   DESCRIPTION                 PRIMARY APPLICATIONS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>                             <C>                           <C>
  Optical Power Meter           Instrument capable of           - Optical amplifier test
                                accurately measuring power      - Passive component test
                                of an optical signal            - Testing laser diodes
                                                                during the manufacturing
                                                                  process
                                                                - Incoming inspection of
                                                                  laser diodes
                                                                - Research and development
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Optical Power/Wavelength      Instrument capable of           - Passive component test
  Meter and Measurement         simultaneously measuring the    - Testing laser diodes
  Heads                         power and wavelength of an      during manufacture
                                optical signal                  - Incoming inspection of
                                                                  laser diodes
                                                                - Research and development
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

     Component Mounting Fixtures. We offer a line of laser diode mounting
fixtures designed to meet the demands of a wide range of test and measurement
applications. These fixtures incorporate both mechanical and electrical
connections and can accommodate many different laser diode package styles. Some
of our mounting fixtures also incorporate built-in temperature control
capability.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       PRODUCT FAMILY                   DESCRIPTION                 PRIMARY APPLICATIONS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>                             <C>                           <C>
  Multiple Device Mounting      Component mounting fixtures     - Optical amplifier test
  Fixtures                      that can accommodate up to      - Passive component test
                                16 laser diodes                 - Research and development
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Single Device Mounting        Component mounting fixtures     - Laser diode test
  Fixtures                      that accommodate a single       - Research and development
                                laser diode
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       31
<PAGE>   36

CUSTOMERS


     We sell our products to more than 300 customers and distributors around the
world. We market and sell our products primarily to optical component vendors.
The majority of our remaining sales are made to optical networking system
vendors who purchase our products to test optical components. We work closely
with our key customers to determine their needs and to focus and direct our new
development activities to keep pace with their rapidly changing requirements. We
consider both our relationships with our customers and our ability to respond to
emerging industry trends to be critical to our success. The following is a list
of our 20 largest customers and distributors, in terms of sales, in the six
months ended June 30, 2000:


      Customers

Alcatel
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
Corning Incorporated
Corvis Corporation
JDS Uniphase (includes E-TEK)
Lucent Technologies, Inc.
  (includes Ortel)
Marconi Communications
Nortel Networks Corporation (includes
  Qtera Corporation)
New Focus, Inc.
OASys Technologies, Inc.
SDL, Inc. (includes Photonic Integration
  Research Incorporated (PIRI))
Sycamore Networks, Inc.
Tyco Submarine Systems

      Distributors

AG Electro-Optics
BBT Svenska AB
BFI Optilas SA
Laser 2000 GmbH
Meisho Corporation
Opto Science
Suruga Seiki Co.

     In the six months ended June 30, 2000, Corning Incorporated and JDS
Uniphase Corporation accounted for approximately 22% and 11% of our sales,
respectively. In the year ended December 31, 1999, Corning Incorporated and
Lucent Technologies accounted for approximately 26% and 11% of our sales,
respectively. No other customer represented more than 10% of our sales in either
the six months ended June 30, 2000 or the year ended December 31, 1999.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT


     We continually seek to improve our competitive technological position and
our product breadth and performance through research and product development. We
believe that continued investment in this area will be very important to our
success. We have assembled a team of physicists and engineers with significant
experience in the optical industry. As of June 30, 2000, we had 40 employees
engaged in research and development, including 10 with advanced degrees. Our
engineers are located in our research and development facilities located in
Bozeman, Montana and Boulder, Colorado. We maintain a long-term cooperative
research effort with the Optical Technology Center at Montana State University.
Our research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2000
were $2.2 million and for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 were
$2.3 million, $1.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively.


     We believe our development process has been and will continue to be a key
contributor to our ability to continuously offer new product introductions. Our
product development teams follow an established product development process. We
have used this process for approximately 10 years and we continuously review and
seek to improve it. Our new product development process allows for a systematic
progress review at each of the market and research feasibility, design
optimization, prototype design, product development, pilot manufacturing and
market launch stages. At each stage, our management reviews the technical
progress of the product, its schedule and cost, and
                                       32
<PAGE>   37

reassesses market conditions to determine how to continue the development
process. We believe that by following an established product development
process, we can accelerate product development, ensure high quality new product
introductions and control our development costs.

SALES, MARKETING AND CUSTOMER SERVICE


     We sell our products in North America through a direct sales force
consisting of nine field sales people as of June 30, 2000. We sell
internationally primarily through distributors as well as through direct sales
personnel. As of June 30, 2000, we had one sales manager in the United Kingdom
and one sales manager and one sales assistant in Japan. Our international sales
efforts also include approximately 22 independent distributors located in
several countries in Europe and the Pacific Rim where we do not have a direct
presence. In Europe and the Pacific Rim, we currently have distributors located
in Australia, China, France, Germany, Greece, Korea, Italy, Malaysia, Poland,
Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and The Netherlands. We also have
distributors in Brazil and Israel, which serve the South American and Middle
Eastern markets, respectively.



     Our direct sales account managers address our markets on an assigned and
target account basis. Our sales force includes our technical sales engineers who
provide customers and prospective customers with answers to technical and
product related questions as well as application support relating to the use of
our products in customers' applications. These engineers also help to monitor
changing customer requirements and to define the features that are required for
our products to be successful in specific applications.


     As of June 30, 2000, our marketing group consisted of eight market
managers, product managers and communications specialists. In order to build
awareness of our products and enhance our reputation as one of the technology
leaders in our industry, we employ a vertically focused marketing strategy. The
three market segments that we focus on are optical amplifier test, laser diode
test and passive component test. Our marketing teams are responsible for
strategic planning, new product launches and promotional activities. In
addition, our marketing teams frequently interact with clients to incorporate
their feedback into our product development cycle and to provide technical
support.


     As of June 30, 2000, our customer service group consisted of seven
employees in Bozeman, Montana, and one employee in Japan. We currently have
service facilities in Bozeman, Montana, Boulder, Colorado, Japan and, through a
third party, the United Kingdom. We believe our ability to provide customer
service and technical support is essential to our business. Our technical
support personnel are trained in the use of the hardware and software
incorporated in our products, as well as the components manufactured by our
customers. Our customer service group also assists our distributors in providing
customer support services for products sold through our distributors. The level
of assistance we provide varies by expertise of the individual distributor
selling our products. We generally offer a one-year limited warranty on our
products.


MANUFACTURING

     Our manufacturing group is responsible for material planning and
procurement, manufacturing engineering, validation testing, production,
assembly, test and calibration, and shipping to customers. As of June 30, 2000,
we had 90 employees involved in our manufacturing operations, 77 in our Bozeman,
Montana facility and 13 in our Boulder, Colorado facility. We currently have
approximately 14,000 square feet for manufacturing purposes and we plan to
expand to approximately 30,000 square feet in the first half of 2001.

     Quality. Our quality system is based on the ISO 9001 standard. We use a
quality manual and 15 documented procedures.

                                       33
<PAGE>   38


     Production. Our production areas are primarily organized by cells, which
build families of products. Each cell is led by an experienced technician.
Activities in our production areas include all aspects of assembly, testing and
calibration.


     Manufacturing Engineering. Our manufacturing engineers are responsible for
production technical support, test systems, integration of new products into
manufacturing and validation of new products prior to their release.

     Materials. Our materials groups are responsible for our supply-chain
management activities. We currently purchase certain key components, such as
lasers, from limited sources. Lead times can vary widely. The inability of our
suppliers to deliver components in a timely manner could have an adverse effect
on our ability to manufacture and ship our products. We seek to manage the risk
associated with industry-wide supply shortages or long lead times through
established relationships with most of our suppliers.

     In general, there are multiple suppliers for the types of materials we
purchase. Although there are several suppliers for the materials we require,
there are industry-wide shortages of some items such as lasers. We have not
entered into long-term supply agreements. If we are unable to procure supplies
at acceptable prices and within a reasonable time frame, our business and
results of operations would suffer.

     We forecast product demand on a monthly basis, based on anticipated product
sales and generally order materials and components based on these forecasts. We
have experienced in the past, and expect to continue to experience, significant
fluctuations in the size of orders we receive. It is sometimes difficult for us
to predict the timing of these orders. Large or unexpected orders may impact our
ability to satisfy all customers. If we overestimate forecasted sales, we may
have excess inventory.

COMPETITION

     We believe the principal competitive factors in our industry include:

     - product performance;

     - price;

     - our ability to manufacture and deliver our products on a timely basis;

     - our ability to introduce new products with improved features; and

     - customer support and service.

     The markets for our products are intensely competitive. We expect the
intensity of competition to increase in the future from both existing and new
competitors. We compete in specialized market segments against a relatively
limited number of companies. We also face competition in some of our markets
from our existing and potential customers who have developed or may develop
products that are competitive to ours. Many of our current and potential
competitors, such as Agilent Technologies, Inc., Ando Electric Co., Ltd., EXFO
Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. and Newport Corporation, may have longer
operating histories, greater name recognition and substantially greater
financial, technical, marketing, management, service, support and other
resources than we do. In addition, many of our competitors have well-established
relationships with our current or potential customers and have an extensive
knowledge of our industry. Therefore, they may be able to respond more quickly
than we can to new or changing opportunities, technologies, standards or
customer requirements.

                                       34
<PAGE>   39

     Other competitors are small and highly specialized companies that focus on
only one aspect of our markets or in selected geographic regions. We may not be
able to compete successfully in the future against existing or new competitors.
Competitive pressures may force us to reduce our prices, which could negatively
affect our operating results. Consolidation in the optical test and measurement
or in the optical component industry could also intensify the competitive
pressures that we face. If we do not respond adequately to competitive
challenges, our business and results of operations would be harmed.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY


     We rely on trade secrets and confidentiality agreements with employees and
third parties, all of which offer only limited protection. We are currently
evaluating our intellectual property review processes. In those cases where we
believe pursuing patent or other protection of our intellectual property is
justified, we intend to seek such protection. In the past, we have not devoted
resources to obtain patent, copyright or trademark protection of our
technologies. Consequently, none of our technology is currently patented and we
hold no copyrights or trademarks. In addition, the laws of other countries in
which we market our products may afford little or no effective protection of our
proprietary technology. Third parties may infringe our intellectual property
rights or devise designs that circumvent our intellectual property, and we may
not be able to detect this unauthorized use or effectively enforce our rights.
Litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property
rights, to protect our trade secrets or to determine the validity and scope of
the proprietary rights of others. Such litigation could result in substantial
costs and diversion of management resources, either of which could harm our
business.


EMPLOYEES

     As of June 30, 2000, we had 173 employees, 139 in our Bozeman, Montana
facility and 30 in our Boulder, Colorado office. We also had one employee in our
London, England office and three in our Saitama, Japan office. Of the total
employees, 90 were in manufacturing, 40 were in research and development, 22
were in sales and marketing, and 21 were in finance and administration. None of
our employees is represented by a union. We believe that our relations with our
employees are good.

FACILITIES

     Our corporate headquarters, together with one of our manufacturing
facilities, is located in Bozeman, Montana. At this location, we lease
approximately 21,500 square feet under a lease that expires in April 2004. We
have contracted to lease a new 21,500 square foot facility adjoining our current
Bozeman facility to accommodate our need for an increase in manufacturing
capacity and employees. The new facility is scheduled for completion in the
first half of 2001. We also lease approximately 10,600 square feet of office and
manufacturing space in Boulder, Colorado under a lease that expires in September
2001. We plan to lease additional space in Boulder to accommodate our need for
an increase in manufacturing capacity and employees in our Boulder facility. We
plan to move to this facility in the fourth quarter of 2000. We also lease
approximately 900 square feet of office space in London, England and
approximately 900 square feet in Saitama, Japan. We believe that these existing
and planned facilities are adequate to meet our current, foreseeable
requirements or that suitable additional or substitute space will be available
on commercially reasonable terms.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     We currently are not subject to any material legal proceedings. However, we
may from time to time become a party to various legal proceedings arising in the
ordinary course of our business.
                                       35
<PAGE>   40

                                   MANAGEMENT

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS


     Our executive officers and directors and their ages as of September 30,
2000, are as follows:



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                NAME                     AGE                           POSITION
                ----                     ---                           --------
<S>                                      <C>    <C>
Lawrence A. Johnson..................    48     Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Randall T. Dugger....................    51     Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief
                                                Financial Officer
James A. Schreiner...................    38     Vice President and General Manager of Boulder Division
Robin A. Bequet-Sharber..............    40     Vice President of Worldwide Sales
Nancy L. Quist.......................    45     Vice President of Marketing and Business Development
Glenden F. Johnson...................    74     Director
James C. Wyant(1)(2).................    57     Director
Steven M. Quist......................    54     Director
Frederick R. Hume(1)(2)..............    57     Director
William R. Walker(1)(2)..............    59     Director
</TABLE>


------------------------------
(1) Member of audit committee.

(2) Member of compensation committee.

     Lawrence A. Johnson is the Founder of ILX Lightwave and has served as
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board since our inception
in 1986. From 1983 to 1986, Dr. Johnson was an engineering group supervisor at
Rosemount Inc. where he was responsible for the development of new technology
related to fiber optic sensors for industrial applications. From 1981 to 1983,
he worked as a Member of Technical Staff at Ball Aerospace Systems Division in
the development of advanced electro-optical systems and technology for military
aerospace applications. From 1978 to 1981, Dr. Johnson worked for the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as a Staff Scientist in the development
of laser remote sensing technology. Dr. Johnson holds a PhD and MS in Optical
Sciences from the University of Arizona and a BS in Engineering Physics from the
Colorado School of Mines. Dr. Lawrence Johnson is the son of Mr. Glenden
Johnson, a director of our company


     Randall T. Dugger has been our Vice President of Finance and Administration
and Chief Financial Officer since July 2000. From 1998 to 2000, Mr. Dugger was
an independent consultant and worked with us on a project by project basis.
Prior to that, Mr. Dugger served as our Chief Financial Officer from 1990 to
1998 and was a member of our board of directors from 1991 to 1998. Mr. Dugger
was Chief Financial Officer of Prime Cable Corp., a multi-system cable
television operator, from 1979 to 1985 and was with Coopers & Lybrand from 1973
to 1979. Mr. Dugger holds a BBA degree from the University of Texas.


     James A. Schreiner joined ILX Lightwave in June 1989 and was appointed Vice
President and General Manager of the Boulder Division in September 1999. Prior
to this appointment, Mr. Schreiner held positions as Product Line Director,
Director of Manufacturing, Manufacturing Manager and Manufacturing Engineer.
From 1988 to 1989, Mr. Schreiner worked as a Manufacturing Engineer for
Liquipak, Inc. supporting the production of automated packaging equipment. From
1984 to 1988, Mr. Schreiner worked as an Instrumentation Design engineer for
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering
from Montana State University and is a Registered Professional Engineer in the
state of Minnesota.

     Robin A. Bequet-Sharber joined ILX Lightwave in July 1998 as Marketing and
Sales Manager and was promoted to her current position as Vice President of
Worldwide Sales in June 2000. From 1982 to 1997, Ms. Bequet-Sharber worked with
the Medical Products Division of W.L. Gore & Associates, a developer and
manufacturer of GORE-TEX(R) Medical Products and surgically
                                       36
<PAGE>   41

implantable devices. In her tenure at Gore, Ms. Bequet-Sharber worked as a
Product Manager, International Sales & Marketing Manager, Sales Trainer and
Technical Field Sales Associate. Ms. Bequet-Sharber holds a BS in Biology from
the State University of New York at StonyBrook.

     Nancy L. Quist joined ILX Lightwave in July 2000 as Vice President of
Marketing and Business Development. Prior to joining ILX Lightwave, she worked
as Vice President and General Manager for MTS Systems Corp., a manufacturer of
material testing systems, from 1999 to July 2000. From 1997 to 1999, Ms. Quist
worked as vice president of marketing and strategic planning at Detector
Electronics, Inc., a manufacturer of industrial optical detection equipment.
From 1990 to 1997, Ms. Quist held various sales and marketing positions at
Fisher-Rosemount, a process controls equipment supplier. Ms. Quist holds a BS in
Chemistry and Biology from Davidson College in North Carolina. Ms. Quist is the
wife of Steven M. Quist, a director of our company.

     Glenden F. Johnson has served on our board of directors since our inception
in 1986. Prior to retiring in 1981 as Mobil Oil Corporation Senior Exploration
Operations Advisor and Coordinator, Worldwide. Mr. Johnson held various
exploration, supervisory and management assignments for Mobil Oil Corp. in the
United States and Canada from 1948 to 1981. Mr. Glenden Johnson is the father of
Dr. Lawrence Johnson, the President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our
company.

     James C. Wyant has served on our board of directors since April 1989. Dr.
Wyant has been the Director of the Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona
since 1999. From 1984 to 1997, Dr. Wyant was the founder and President of Wyko
Corporation, a manufacturer of precision optical based measurement
instrumentation.

     Steven M. Quist has served on our board of directors since July 1989. He
has been Chief Executive Officer of CyberOptics Corporation, a designer and
manufacturer of laser sensors and systems for high precision, non-contact
dimensional measurement, since 2000, President since February 1998 and a
director since 1991. Prior to that, Mr. Quist held various positions at
Rosemount Inc. from 1970 to 1998, including President of the Rosemount
Measurement Division of Emerson Electric Co. Mr. Quist is a director of Rimage
Corporation, a manufacturer of CD recordable and computer disc duplication and
production equipment. Mr. Quist is the husband of Nancy L. Quist, our Vice
President of Marketing and Business Development.

     Frederick R. Hume has served on our board of directors since March 1999.
Mr. Hume has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Data I/O
Corporation, a provider of programming solutions for programmable semiconductor
devices, since February 1999. Mr. Hume has also served on Data I/O Corporation's
board of directors since January 1999. Prior to joining Data I/O, Mr. Hume was
Vice President and General Manager of Keithley Instruments, a maker of precision
instrumentation, from 1988 to 1998. Mr. Hume was retired from 1998 until joining
Data I/O. Mr. Hume is a director of IFR Systems, Inc. a manufacturer of
communications, test and measurement and avionics test instruments.


     William R. Walker has served on our board of directors since September
2000. He has been Vice President, Secretary and Chief Financial Officer of
Hi/fn, a developer and marketer of both integrated circuits and software for
manufacturers of computer networking products, since November 1997. He was
Hi/fn's Acting Chief Executive Officer and Acting President from July 1998
through October 1998. From 1996 to 1997, Mr. Walker was Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Secretary at MMC Networks, Inc., a networking company.
From 1984 to 1996, Mr. Walker was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer at Zilog, Inc., a semiconductor supplier.


BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

     Prior to the closing of our initial public offering, we intend to amend our
articles of incorporation to provide for a classified board of directors
consisting of three classes of directors,
                                       37
<PAGE>   42

each serving staggered three-year terms. As a result, a portion of our board of
directors will be elected each year. For more information on the classified
board, see "Description of Capital Stock -- Anti-Takeover Effects of Our
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and Minnesota Law."


     Our board of directors has established an audit committee and a
compensation committee. The audit committee consists of Messrs. Hume and Walker
and Dr. Wyant. The audit committee makes recommendations to the board of
directors regarding the selection of independent auditors, reviews the results
and scope of audit and other services provided by our independent auditors and
reviews and evaluates our audit and control functions.



     The compensation committee consists of Messrs. Hume and Walker and Dr.
Wyant. The compensation committee administers our stock plans and makes
recommendations to the board of directors regarding executive compensation
matters.


DIRECTOR COMPENSATION


     We currently pay our directors $400 for each board meeting they attend as
compensation for their time. We do not pay any other compensation to our
directors for serving in that capacity. We reimburse directors for out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in attending board meetings. Our board of directors has the
discretion to grant options to non-employee directors pursuant to our stock
option plan. Messrs. Hume, G. Johnson and Quist and Dr. Wyant each currently
hold options to purchase 120,000 shares of our common stock.


                                       38
<PAGE>   43

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The following table provides information regarding compensation paid or
earned for services rendered to us in all capacities during the year ended
December 31, 1999, by our Chief Executive Officer and the other executive
officer who earned more than $100,000 in 1999. These individuals are referred to
in this prospectus as the "named executive officers."

                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       LONG-TERM
                                                                                      COMPENSATION
                                                                                         AWARDS
                                                     ANNUAL COMPENSATION              ------------
                                           ---------------------------------------     SECURITIES
                                                                    OTHER ANNUAL       UNDERLYING
  NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION      YEAR     SALARY     BONUS(1)    COMPENSATION(2)      OPTIONS
  ---------------------------      ----    --------    --------    ---------------    ------------
<S>                                <C>     <C>         <C>         <C>                <C>
Lawrence A. Johnson............    1999    $132,038    $74,758         $2,927                --
  Chairman, President and Chief
  Executive Officer
James A. Schreiner.............    1999      76,126     25,195          2,109           252,000
  Vice President and General
  Manager of Boulder
  Division(3)
</TABLE>

-------------------------
(1) Includes the 1999 management bonus and the 1999 employee incentive bonus.

(2) Reflects amounts contributed to our 401(k) Plan.

(3) Mr. Schreiner served as our Product Line Director before being appointed to
    the position of Vice President and General Manager of Boulder Division in
    September 1999.

     In the year ended December 31, 1999, we granted options to purchase up to
an aggregate of 1,218,000 shares to employees, directors and consultants. No
stock appreciation rights were granted during this period. All options were
granted under our 1998 Long-Term Incentive and Stock Option Plan, or "1998
Option Plan," at exercise prices no less than the fair market value of our
common stock on the date of grant, as determined in good faith by the board of
directors. Incentive options granted under the 1998 Option Plan generally have a
term of 10 years. Nonincentive options granted under the 1998 Option Plan
generally have a term of seven years. However, in the event of the optionee's
death or disability, the option will terminate one year after the optionee's
death or disability. In the event of the optionee's termination of employment
with us, with or without cause, the option will terminate immediately upon the
optionee's termination. Optionees may pay the exercise price by cash, check, or,
with the approval of the committee, delivery of already owned shares of our
common stock.

                                       39
<PAGE>   44

     The following table provides information concerning the stock option grants
we made in 1999 to each of the named executive officers, including the potential
realizable value over the 10-year term of the options, based on assumed rates of
stock appreciation of 5% and 10%, compounded annually. These assumed rates of
appreciation comply with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and
do not represent our estimate of future stock price. Actual gains, if any, on
stock option exercises will be dependent on the future performance of our common
stock.

                             OPTION GRANTS IN 1999

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      POTENTIAL
                                            INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                        REALIZABLE
                           ---------------------------------------------------    VALUE AT ASSUMED
                                          PERCENT OF                               ANNUAL RATES OF
                            NUMBER OF       TOTAL                                    STOCK PRICE
                           SECURITIES      OPTIONS      EXERCISE                  APPRECIATION FOR
                           UNDERLYING     GRANTED TO    PRICE PER                    OPTION TERM
                             OPTIONS     EMPLOYEES IN     SHARE     EXPIRATION   -------------------
                           GRANTED (#)       1999          ($)         DATE         5%        10%
                           -----------   ------------   ---------   ----------   --------   --------
<S>                        <C>           <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>
Lawrence A. Johnson......         --           --           --         --           --         --
James A. Schreiner.......    252,000        24.6%         $.27       10/11/09    $110,830   $176,478
</TABLE>

     The following table provides information concerning shares of common stock
represented by the number and value of unexercised stock options held by the
named executive officers as of December 31, 1999. The value of unexercised
in-the-money options is based on the value of our common stock as of December
31, 1999 of $0.67 per share minus the actual exercise prices. No options have
been exercised by the named executive officers.

                     AGGREGATED 1999 YEAR-END OPTION VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                     NUMBER OF SECURITIES                        IN-THE-MONEY
                                    UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED                        OPTIONS AT
                                 OPTIONS AT DECEMBER 31, 1999                  DECEMBER 31, 1999
                                -------------------------------         -------------------------------
            NAME                EXERCISABLE       UNEXERCISABLE         EXERCISABLE       UNEXERCISABLE
            ----                -----------       -------------         -----------       -------------
<S>                             <C>               <C>                   <C>               <C>
Lawrence A. Johnson.........       --                 --                   --                 --
James A. Schreiner..........      878,400            201,600             $467,280            $80,640
</TABLE>

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

     1988 Stock Option Plan

     Our 1988 Long-Term Incentive and Stock Option Plan, or "1988 Option Plan,"
was adopted by the board of directors in October 1988 and received shareholder
approval in December 1988. The 1988 Option Plan expired in September 1998 and no
further options were granted after that date. Under the 1988 Option Plan, we
were authorized to grant to officers and other employees options to purchase
shares of common stock intended to qualify as incentive stock options, as
defined under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and options not
intended to qualify as incentive stock options. Stock options granted under the
1988 Option Plan are generally exercisable for seven years. Options granted
under the 1988 Option Plan are not transferable by the recipient except by will
or by the laws of descent and distribution. Options to purchase 2,124,000 shares
of our common stock remain outstanding as of June 30, 2000, exercisable at
prices ranging from $0.13 per share to $0.23 per share. Of that amount, options
to purchase 1,538,640 shares of our common stock were exercisable as of June 30,
2000.

                                       40
<PAGE>   45

     1998 Long-Term Incentive and Stock Option Plan

     Our 1998 Option Plan was adopted by the board of directors in September
1998 and received shareholder approval in March 1999. The 1998 Option Plan was
amended in May 2000. A total of 5,556,000 shares of common stock have been
reserved for issuance under the 1998 Option Plan. Under the 1998 Option Plan, we
are authorized to grant to officers and other employees options to purchase
shares of common stock intended to qualify as incentive stock options, as
defined under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and options that
do not qualify as incentive stock options under the Internal Revenue Code.
Options granted prior to July 15, 2000 generally vest over five years from the
date of grant with 40% vesting two years from the date of the grant and 20% in
each of the subsequent three years. Options granted after July 15, 2000
generally vest over four years from the date of grant in equal annual
installments of 25%. Options granted under the 1998 Option Plan are not
transferable by the recipient except by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution. As of June 30, 2000, 1,518,000 shares of our common stock remain
outstanding and are exercisable at prices ranging from $.27 per share to $1.08
per share. Of that amount, options to purchase 242,400 shares of our common
stock were exercisable as of June 30, 2000.

     2000 Stock Incentive Plan


     Our 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, or "2000 Stock Incentive Plan," will be
approved by our board of directors and shareholders prior to the completion of
the offering contemplated by this prospectus. Our employees, officers,
non-employee directors, consultants and independent contractors will be eligible
to receive grants under the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan. The 2000 Stock Incentive
Plan provides for the granting of:


     - stock options, including incentive stock options and non-qualified stock
       options;

     - stock appreciation rights, or "SARs";

     - restricted stock and restricted stock units;

     - performance awards; and

     - other stock-based awards.

     We will reserve                shares of common stock for issuance under
the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan. The 2000 Stock Incentive Plan is administered by
our compensation committee. The compensation committee has the authority:

     - to establish rules for the administration of the 2000 Incentive Plan;

     - to select the persons to whom awards are granted;

     - to determine the types of awards to be granted and the number of shares
       of common stock covered by awards; and

     - to set the terms and conditions of awards.

     The compensation committee also may determine whether the payment of any
amounts received under any award shall be deferred. Awards may provide that upon
grant or exercise, the holder will receive shares of common stock, cash or any
combination, as the compensation committee shall determine.

     In order to meet the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code, the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan limits the number of options that may be
granted to any single person in any one calendar year.

                                       41
<PAGE>   46

     The exercise price per share under any incentive stock option or the grant
price of any SAR cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common
stock on the date of grant of that incentive stock option or SAR. In the event
that a proposed optionee owns more than 10% of our common stock, any incentive
stock option granted to that optionee must have an exercise price not less than
110% of the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date and may not
have a term longer than five years. Options may be exercised by payment in full
of the exercise price, either in cash or, at the discretion of the compensation
committee, in whole or in part by the tendering of shares of common stock or
other consideration having a fair market value on the date the option is
exercised equal to the exercise price. Determinations of fair market value under
the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan are made in accordance with methods and procedures
established by the compensation committee.

     The holder of an SAR is entitled to receive the excess of the fair market
value on the date of exercise of a specified number of shares over the grant
price of the SAR.

     The holder of restricted stock may have all of the rights of a shareholder
of our company, including the right to vote the shares subject to the restricted
stock award and to receive any dividends, or these rights may be restricted.
Restricted stock may not be transferred by the holder until the restrictions
established by the compensation committee lapse. Holders of restricted stock
units have the right, subject to any restrictions imposed by the compensation
committee, to receive shares of common stock, or a cash payment equal to the
fair market value of such shares, at some future date. Upon termination of the
holder's employment during the restriction period, restricted stock and
restricted stock units will be forfeited, unless the compensation committee
determines otherwise.

     If any shares of common stock subject to any award or to which an award
relates are not purchased or are forfeited, or if any award terminates without
the delivery of shares or other consideration, the shares previously used for
these awards become available for future awards under the 2000 Stock Incentive
Plan. Except as otherwise provided under the procedures adopted by the
compensation committee to avoid double counting with respect to awards granted
in tandem with or in substitution for other awards, all shares relating to
awards granted are counted against the aggregate number of shares available for
granting awards under the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan.

     Our board of directors may amend, alter or discontinue the 2000 Stock
Incentive Plan at any time, except that shareholder approval must be obtained
for any change that, absent shareholder approval:

     - would cause Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or Section 162(m) of the
       Internal Revenue Code to become unavailable with respect to the 2000
       Stock Incentive Plan;

     - would violate any rules or regulations of the National Association of
       Securities Dealers, Inc., The Nasdaq National Market or any securities
       exchange applicable to us; or

     - would cause us to be unable under the Internal Revenue Code to grant
       incentive stock options under the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan.

     Under the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, the compensation committee may permit
participants receiving or exercising awards to surrender shares of common stock
to us to satisfy federal and state withholding tax obligations. In addition, the
compensation committee may grant a bonus to a participant in order to provide
funds to pay all or a portion of federal and state taxes due as a result of the
receipt, exercise or lapse of restrictions relating to an award.

     Employee Stock Purchase Plan


     Our board of directors and shareholders adopted our Employee Stock Purchase
Plan, or the "Stock Purchase Plan," in 2000. The Stock Purchase Plan became
effective September 1, 2000 and is


                                       42
<PAGE>   47

intended to qualify as an employee stock purchase plan within the meaning of
Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The Stock Purchase Plan covers
an aggregate of 600,000 shares of common stock. In order to participate in the
Stock Purchase Plan, employees must meet certain eligibility requirements.
Participating employees will be able to direct the company to make payroll
deductions of up to 10% of their compensation during a purchase period for the
purchase of shares of common stock. The maximum amount that an employee may
deduct during any purchase period is $2,500. Each purchase period, with the
exception of the initial offering period, will be six months. The Stock Purchase
Plan will provide participating employees with the right, subject to certain
limitations, to purchase our common stock at a price not less than 85% of the
lesser of the fair market value of our common stock on the first day or the last
day of the applicable purchase period. The Stock Purchase Plan will terminate on
a date that our board of directors may determine, or automatically as of the
date on which all of the shares of common stock reserved for purchase under the
Stock Purchase Plan have been sold.

     401(k) Plan

     We have established a tax-qualified employee savings and retirement plan,
or "401(k) Plan," for all of our employees who satisfy eligibility requirements,
including requirements relating to age and length of service. Pursuant to the
401(k) Plan, employees may elect to reduce their current compensation by up to
the lower of 1% or the statutorily prescribed limit and have the amount of such
reduction contributed to the 401(k) Plan. The 401(k) Plan permits us to make
additional discretionary matching contributions, and we currently match 100% of
employees' contributions up to a maximum of 2% of their annual compensation. The
employer contribution vests annually over a six-year period in four equal
installments beginning two years after employment commences. The 401(k) Plan is
intended to qualify under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code so that
contributions by employees or by us to the 401(k) Plan, and income earned on
plan contributions, are not taxable to employees until withdrawn from the 401(k)
Plan, and so that our contributions, if any, will be deductible by us when made.

INDEMNIFICATION MATTERS AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

     Minnesota law and our bylaws provide that we will, subject to limitations,
indemnify any person made or threatened to be made a party to a proceeding by
reason of that persons' former or present official capacity with us. We will
indemnify that person against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and
reasonable expenses, and, subject to limitations, we will pay or reimburse
reasonable expenses before the final disposition of the proceeding.

     As permitted by Minnesota law, our articles of incorporation provide that
our directors will not be personally liable to us or our shareholders for
monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, subject to the
following exceptions:

     - any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to us or our shareholders;

     - acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional
       misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

     - liability for illegal distributions under section 302A.559 of the
       Minnesota Business Corporation Act or for civil liabilities for state
       securities law violations under section 80A.23 of the Minnesota statutes;

     - any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
       benefit; and

     - any act or omission occurring prior to the effective date of Article 7 of
       our articles of incorporation.

                                       43
<PAGE>   48

                       PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

     The following table provides information concerning beneficial ownership of
our common stock as of June 30, 2000, by:

     - each shareholder that we know owns more than 5% of our outstanding common
       stock;

     - each of our named executive officers;

     - each of our directors;

     - all of our directors and executive officers as a group; and

     - each of the selling shareholders.


     The following table lists the applicable percentage of beneficial ownership
based on 31,635,948 shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2000. The
table also lists the applicable percentage beneficial ownership based on
36,135,948 shares of common stock outstanding upon completion of this offering,
assuming no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option.


     Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and generally includes voting power and/or
investment power with respect to the securities held. Shares of common stock
subject to options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of June
30, 2000, are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage
beneficially owned by the person holding the options but are not deemed
outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage beneficially owned by any
other person. Except as otherwise noted, the persons or entities named have sole
voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially
owned by them.

     Unless otherwise indicated, the principal address of each of the
shareholders below is c/o ILX Lightwave Corporation, 31950 East Frontage Road,
Bozeman, Montana 59715.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      NUMBER OF SHARES                   SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                                        BENEFICIALLY                         OWNED AFTER
                                          OWNED(1)         NUMBER OF         OFFERING(1)
 NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL     --------------------    SHARES       --------------------
              OWNER                   NUMBER     PERCENT    OFFERED        NUMBER     PERCENT
 ------------------------------     ----------   -------   ---------     ----------   -------
<S>                                 <C>          <C>       <C>           <C>          <C>
Lawrence A. Johnson(2)...........   15,599,916    49.3%          --(3)(9) 15,599,916   43.2%
Glenden F. Johnson(4)............   10,329,384    32.5      406,250       9,923,134    27.4
  5355 Turney Groce Road
  Byrdstown, TN 38549
Mary I. Johnson(5)...............   10,329,384    32.5           --      10,329,384    28.6
  5355 Turney Groce Road
  Byrdstown, TN 38549
James C. Wyant and Louise A.
  Wyant..........................    2,963,640     9.3           --       2,963,640     8.2
  1630 East University Boulevard
  Tucson, AZ 85721
Randall T. Dugger................    1,188,000     3.8           --(6)(9)  1,188,000    3.3
David L. Morrow..................    1,080,000     3.4       93,750         986,250     2.7
  Route 3
  Cisco, TX 76439
James A. Schreiner...............      878,400     2.7           --(7)(9)    878,400    2.4
Steven M. Quist..................      228,000       *           --         228,000       *
  5900 Golden Hills Drive
  Minneapolis, MN 55416
</TABLE>


                                       44
<PAGE>   49


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      NUMBER OF SHARES                   SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                                        BENEFICIALLY                         OWNED AFTER
                                          OWNED(1)         NUMBER OF         OFFERING(1)
 NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL     --------------------    SHARES       --------------------
              OWNER                   NUMBER     PERCENT    OFFERED        NUMBER     PERCENT
 ------------------------------     ----------   -------   ---------     ----------   -------
<S>                                 <C>          <C>       <C>           <C>          <C>
Fredrick R. Hume.................      120,000       *           --         120,000       *
  10525 Willows Road NE
  Redmond, WA 98073
William R. Walker................           --      --           --              --      --
  750 University Avenue, Suite
  200
  Los Gatos, CA 95032
All directors and officers as a
  group (9 persons)(8)...........   31,408,140    94.9      500,000      30,908,140(10)  82.2%
</TABLE>


-------------------------
 *  Less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock.


 (1) Includes the following shares underlying options exercisable as of or
     within 60 days of June 30, 2000: Mr. G. Johnson, 120,000 shares; Dr. Wyant,
     120,000 shares; Mr. Quist, 120,000 shares; Mr. Hume, 120,000 shares; and
     Mr. Schreiner, 878,400 shares.


 (2) Includes 711,288 shares held by Dr. L. Johnson's wife and children, as to
     which he has no voting or investment power and disclaims beneficial
     ownership.


 (3) Dr. Johnson has granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to
     250,000 shares of our common stock to cover over-allotments, if any. If the
     over-allotment option is exercised in full, Dr. Johnson would own
     15,349,916 shares or 42.5% of the outstanding shares.


 (4) Includes 5,104,692 shares held by Mr. G. Johnson's wife, as to which he has
     no voting or investment power and disclaims beneficial ownership.

 (5) Includes 5,104,692 shares and 120,000 shares underlying exercisable options
     held by Ms. Johnson's husband, as to which she has no voting or investment
     power and disclaims beneficial ownership.


 (6) Mr. Dugger has granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to 59,400
     shares of our common stock to cover over-allotments, if any. If the
     over-allotment option is exercised in full, Mr. Dugger would own 1,128,600
     shares or 3.1% of the outstanding shares.



 (7) Mr. Schreiner has granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to
     43,920 shares of our common stock to cover over-allotments, if any. If the
     over-allotment option is exercised in full, Mr. Schreiner would own 834,480
     shares or 2.3% of the outstanding shares.


 (8) Includes 1,459,200 shares underlying options exercisable as of or within 60
     days of June 30, 2000.

 (9) None of our executive officers will sell more than 5% of the shares they
     beneficially own.


(10) If the over-allotment is exercised in full, all directors and officers as a
     group will own 30,554,820 shares or 81.3% of the outstanding shares.


     We will pay all costs and expenses of the offering, other than the
underwriting discount relating to shares sold by the selling shareholders, the
fees and disbursements of legal counsel to the selling shareholders and stock
transfer and other taxes attributable to the sale of shares by the selling
shareholders, which will be paid by the selling shareholders.



                                       45
<PAGE>   50

                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

     As of June 30, 2000, Randall T. Dugger, our Vice President of Finance and
Administration and Chief Financial Officer, owed us $76,900, in the form of
promissory notes issued December 30, 1996, June 9, 1997 and January 28, 1998 and
due December 30, 2003, June 9, 2004 and January 28, 2003, respectively. The
notes bear interest between 5.75% and 6.25% per annum. The notes were issued in
connection with loans made to Mr. Dugger to allow him to exercise stock options
to purchase 648,000 shares of common stock. The notes are secured by a pledge of
the shares of common stock received upon exercise of the options.


     In 1991, we and several of our shareholders sold 12,855,852 shares, or
approximately 29%, of our common stock to Newport Corporation at a price of
$0.18. In April 1998, we repurchased 3,240,000 shares of our common stock held
by Newport for $720,000, or $0.22 per share. At that time, we also entered into
an agreement with Newport granting us an option to repurchase the remaining
shares owned by Newport at a purchase price of $0.22 per share, which price
increased at a compounded rate of 0.72% per month for each month subsequent to
March 31, 1998. In September 1999, we repurchased 4,200,000 shares of our common
stock held by Newport for $1,054,397, or $0.25 per share. On April 4, 2000, we
repurchased the remaining 5,415,852 shares of our common stock held by Newport
for $1,429,656, or $0.26 per share. We currently have no business or other
affiliation with Newport.




                                       46
<PAGE>   51

                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     Following the closing of this offering, we expect our authorized capital
stock to consist of 150,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per
share, and 15,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share.
Unless otherwise designated by our board of directors, all issued shares shall
be deemed common stock with equal rights and preferences.

COMMON STOCK

     As of June 30, 2000, there were 31,635,948 shares of common stock
outstanding, held by 13 shareholders of record.

     Holders of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights and are
entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a
vote of the shareholders, including the election of directors. Holders of our
common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be
declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor,
subject to the prior rights of any preferred stock then outstanding.

     Upon a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of ILX Lightwave, the holders
of our common stock will be entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally
available for distribution to shareholders after the payment of all debts and
other liabilities. These rights are subject to the prior rights of any preferred
stock then outstanding. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive or
conversion rights or other subscription rights and there are no redemption or
sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. All outstanding shares
of common stock are, and the common stock outstanding upon completion of this
offering will be, fully paid and nonassessable.

PREFERRED STOCK

     Effective upon the closing of this offering, we expect that our board of
directors will have the authority, without further action by the shareholders,
to issue from time to time, 15,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more
series and to fix for each series the number of shares, designations,
preferences, powers and relative, participating, optional or other special
rights and the qualifications or restrictions thereof. The preferences, powers,
rights and restrictions of different series of preferred stock may differ with
respect to dividend rates, amounts payable on liquidation, voting rights,
conversion rights, redemption provisions, sinking fund provisions, purchase
funds and other matters.

     The issuance of preferred stock could decrease the amount of earnings and
assets available for distribution to holders of common stock or adversely affect
the rights and powers, including voting rights, of the holders of common stock.
It may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in our
control. We currently do not plan to issue shares of preferred stock.

ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF OUR ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS AND MINNESOTA
LAW

     The existence of authorized but unissued preferred stock, described above,
and specific provisions of Minnesota law, described below, could have an
anti-takeover effect. These provisions are intended to provide management with
flexibility, to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the
composition of our board of directors and the policies of our board and to
discourage an unsolicited takeover of our company if our board of directors
determines that the takeover is not in the best interests of our company and our
shareholders. However, these provisions could have the effect of discouraging
attempts to acquire us, which could deprive our shareholders of opportunities to
sell their shares of common stock at prices higher than prevailing market
prices.

                                       47
<PAGE>   52

     Upon the closing of this offering, our board of directors will be divided
into three classes serving staggered three-year terms. As a result of this
division, generally at least two shareholder meetings will be required for
shareholders to effect a change in control of the board of directors. In
addition, our bylaws will contain provisions that establish specific procedures
for calling meetings of shareholders and appointing and removing members of the
board of directors.

     Section 302A.671 of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act applies, with
exceptions, to any acquisition of our voting stock from a person other than us,
and other than in connection with specific types of mergers and exchanges to
which we are a party, that results in the beneficial ownership of 20% or more of
the voting stock then outstanding. Section 302A.671 requires approval of these
acquisitions by a majority vote of our shareholders to accord full voting rights
to the acquired shares. In general, shares acquired in the absence of this
approval are denied voting rights and are redeemable at their then fair market
value by us within 30 days after the acquiring person has failed to give a
timely information statement to us or the date the shareholders voted not to
grant voting rights to the acquiring person's shares.

     Section 302A.673 of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act generally
prohibits any business combination by us, or by any of our subsidiaries, with
any shareholder that purchases 10 percent or more of our voting shares within
four years following this interested shareholder's share acquisition date. The
business combination may be permitted if it is approved by a committee of all of
the disinterested members of our board of directors before the interested
shareholder's share acquisition date.

QUOTATION ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET

     We have applied for quotation of our common stock on the Nasdaq National
Market under the symbol "ILXL."

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR


     The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock will be ____________.


                                       48
<PAGE>   53

                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

     Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common
stock, and we cannot assure you that a significant public market for our common
stock will develop or be sustained after this offering. As described below, no
shares currently outstanding will be available for sale immediately after this
offering due to certain contractual and securities law restrictions on resale.
Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market after the
restrictions lapse could cause the prevailing market price to decline and limit
our ability to raise equity capital in the future.


     Upon completion of this offering, we will have outstanding 36,135,948
shares of common stock, assuming no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment
option and no exercise of outstanding options to purchase common stock. Of these
shares, the shares offered for sale through the underwriters will be freely
tradable without restriction under the Securities Act unless purchased by our
affiliates or covered by a separate lock-up agreement.



     The remaining 31,135,948 shares of common stock held by existing
shareholders are restricted securities. Restricted securities may be sold in the
public market only if registered or if they qualify for an exemption from
registration described below under Rule 144, 144(k) or 701 under the Securities
Act. These provisions are described below.


     As a result of the lock-up agreements and the provisions of Rules 144,
144(k) and 701, these restricted shares will be available for sale in the public
market as follows:

     - no shares may be sold prior to 180 days from the date of this prospectus;


     - 31,087,948 shares will have been held long enough to be sold under Rule
       144 or Rule 701 beginning 181 days after the date of this prospectus; and



     - the remaining 48,000 shares may be sold under Rule 144 or 144(k) once
       they have been held for the required time.


LOCK-UP AGREEMENTS

     Our officers, directors and shareholders have agreed not to transfer or
dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of our common stock, or any
securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of our
common stock, for a period of 180 days after the effective date of the
registration statement to which this prospectus relates. Transfers or
dispositions can be made sooner with the prior written consent of Chase
Securities Inc.

RULE 144

     In general, under Rule 144, a person who has beneficially owned restricted
securities for at least one year would be entitled to sell within any
three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of:


     - 1% of the number of shares of our common stock then outstanding, which,
       immediately after this offering, will equal approximately 36,136 shares;
       or


     - the average weekly trading volume of our common stock on the Nasdaq
       National Market during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a
       notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale.

     Sales under Rule 144 also are limited by manner-of-sale provisions, notice
requirements and requirements relating to the availability of current public
information about us.

                                       49
<PAGE>   54

RULE 144(k)

     Under Rule 144(k), a person who is not deemed to have been one of our
affiliates at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has
beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least two years, is
entitled to sell these shares without complying with the manner of sale, public
information, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144 discussed above.

RULE 701

     In general, under Rule 701, any of our employees, consultants or advisors
who purchases or receives shares from us under a compensatory stock purchase
plan or option plan or other written agreement will be eligible to resell his or
her shares beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus. Non-affiliates
will be able to sell their shares subject only to the manner-of-sale provisions
of Rule 144. Affiliates will be able to sell their shares without compliance
with the holding period requirements of Rule 144.

STOCK OPTIONS

     Prior to the expiration of the lock-up agreements, we intend to file a
registration statement under the Securities Act covering shares of common stock
reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding options under the 1988 Option
Plan, 1998 Option Plan, the Stock Purchase Plan and the 2000 Stock Incentive
Plan. See "Management -- Employee Benefit Plans." The registration statement is
expected to be filed and become effective as soon as practicable after the
closing of this offering. Accordingly, shares registered under that registration
statement will be available for resale in the open market beginning immediately
upon the effectiveness of registration, except with respect to Rule 144 volume
limitations that apply to our affiliates and shares covered by a separate
lock-up agreement.

                                       50
<PAGE>   55

                                  UNDERWRITING

     Chase Securities Inc., U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray Inc. and Wit SoundView
Corporation are the representatives of the underwriters. Subject to the terms
and conditions of the underwriting agreement, the underwriters named below,
through their representatives, have severally agreed to purchase from us and the
selling shareholders the following respective numbers of shares of common stock:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      NUMBER
                      NAME                           OF SHARES
                      ----                           ---------
<S>                                                  <C>
Chase Securities Inc. ...........................
U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray Inc. .................
Wit SoundView Corporation........................

                                                     ---------
Total............................................    5,000,000
                                                     =========
</TABLE>


     The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the
underwriters are subject to various conditions precedent, including the absence
of any material adverse change in our business and the receipt of various
certificates, opinions and letters from us, our counsel and the independent
auditors. The underwriters are committed to purchase all of the shares of common
stock offered by us and the selling shareholders if they purchase any shares.

     The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discounts
and commissions we and the selling shareholders will pay to the underwriters.
Such amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the
underwriters' over-allotment option to purchase additional shares.

                     UNDERWRITING DISCOUNTS AND COMMISSIONS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            WITH            WITHOUT
                                                       OVER-ALLOTMENT    OVER-ALLOTMENT
                                                          EXERCISE          EXERCISE
                                                       --------------    --------------
<S>                                                    <C>               <C>
Per Share..........................................       $                 $
Total..............................................       $                 $
</TABLE>


     We estimate that the total expenses of this offering, excluding
underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $875,000.


     The underwriters propose to offer the shares directly to the public at the
initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and
to various dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $     per
share. The underwriters may allow and such dealers may re-allow a concession not
in excess of $     per share to various other dealers. The underwriters have
informed us that they do not intend to confirm discretionary sales of more than
5% of the shares of common stock offered in this offering.


     We and certain of the selling shareholders have granted to the underwriters
an option, exercisable no later than 30 days after the date of this prospectus,
to purchase up to 750,000 additional shares of common stock at the initial
public offering price, less the underwriting discount


                                       51
<PAGE>   56

set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. To the extent that the
underwriters exercise this option, each of the underwriters will have a firm
commitment to purchase approximately the same percentage of these option shares
which the number of shares of common stock to be purchased by it shown in the
above table bears to the total number of shares of common stock offered by this
prospectus. We and certain of the selling shareholders will be obligated,
pursuant to this option, to sell shares to the underwriters to the extent the
option is exercised. The underwriters may exercise this option only to cover
over-allotments made in connection with the sale of shares of common stock in
this offering.

     The offering of the shares is made for delivery when, as and if accepted by
the underwriters and subject to prior sale and to withdrawal, cancellation or
modification of the offering without notice. The underwriters reserve the right
to reject an order for the purchase of shares in whole or in part.

     We and the selling shareholders have each agreed to indemnify the
underwriters against liabilities specified in the underwriting agreement,
including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to
contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of
these liabilities.

     Our officers and directors and all of our shareholders have agreed that
they will not, without the prior written consent of Chase Securities Inc.,
directly or indirectly, sell, offer, contract to sell, transfer the economic
risk of ownership in, make any short sale, pledge or otherwise dispose of any
shares of our common stock, options or warrants to acquire shares of our common
stock or securities exchangeable for or convertible into shares of our common
stock owned by them or any other rights to purchase or acquire our common stock
for a period of 180 days following the effective date of the registration
statement that includes this prospectus. We have agreed that we will not,
without the prior written consent of Chase Securities Inc., directly or
indirectly, offer, sell, contract to sell, make any short sale, pledge, sell any
option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant
any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise transfer or dispose of any
shares of our capital stock, or any securities exchangeable or exercisable for
or convertible into or any rights to purchase or acquire shares of our capital
stock for a period of 180 days following the date of this prospectus, except
that we may issue shares upon the exercise of options granted prior to the date
of this prospectus and may grant additional options or sell additional shares
under our stock option or stock purchase plans.

     In connection with this offering, the underwriters may effect transactions
that could have the effect of raising or maintaining, or preventing or retarding
a decline in, the market price of our shares. As a result, the price of our
shares may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open
market. These transactions may be effected on the Nasdaq National Market, in the
over-the-counter market or otherwise.

     In particular, the underwriters may make short sales of our shares and may
purchase our shares on the open market to cover positions created by short
sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of
shares than they are required to purchase in the offering. Covered short sales
are sales made in an amount not greater than the over-allotment option or
purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to
close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among
other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as
compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the
over-allotment option. Naked short sales are sales in excess of the
over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position
by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely
to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward
pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could
adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering.

                                       52
<PAGE>   57

     In addition, an underwriter may enter a stabilizing bid in connection with
the offering, which is the placing of any bid or effecting of any purchase, for
the purpose of pegging, fixing, or maintaining the price of the shares. The
underwriters may also impose penalty bids, which permit them to reclaim the
selling concessions from a syndicate member when shares sold by the syndicate
member are purchased in syndicate covering transactions. Any stabilizing, if
commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

     Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our shares. The
initial public offering price for the shares will be determined by negotiations
among us and the representatives. Among the factors considered in determining
the initial public offering will be prevailing market and economic conditions,
our revenue, the prospects for our future earnings, market valuations of other
companies engaged in activities similar to our business operations and our
management. The estimated initial public offering price range set forth on the
cover of this preliminary prospectus is subject to change as a result of market
conditions or other factors.


     At our request, the underwriters have reserved up to 250,000 shares of
common stock for sale at the initial public offering price to our directors,
officers, employees, business associates and related persons. The number of
shares of common stock available for sale to the general public will be reduced
if such persons purchase the reserved shares. Any reserved shares which are not
so purchased may be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the
same basis as the other shares offered by this prospectus.



     A prospectus in electronic format is being made available on an Internet
web site maintained by Wit SoundView Corporation's strategic partner, E*Trade
Securities, Inc., and may be made available on web sites maintained by one or
more of the other underwriters participating in this offering. The
representatives may agree to allocate a number of shares to the underwriters for
sale to their online brokerage account holders.


                                       53
<PAGE>   58

                                 LEGAL MATTERS

     The legality of the shares of common stock offered hereby will be passed
upon for us and the selling shareholders by Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Great Falls,
Montana and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Certain legal matters will be passed upon
for the underwriters by Venture Law Group, a Professional Corporation, Kirkland,
Washington.

                                    EXPERTS

     KPMG LLP, independent certified public accountants, have audited our
financial statements as of December 31, 1998 and 1999 and for each of the years
in the three year period ended December 31, 1999, as set forth in their report
appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. We have included our financial
statements in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement in
reliance on the report of KPMG LLP, which was given on the authority of said
firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

                      WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration
statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to the
common stock offered by this prospectus. As permitted by the rules and
regulations of the Commission, this prospectus, which is a part of the
registration statement, omits certain information, exhibits, schedules and
undertakings set forth in the registration statement. For further information
about us and the common stock offered by this prospectus, you should review the
registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. Statements
contained in this prospectus as to the contents or provisions of any contract or
other document referred to in this prospectus are not necessarily complete, and
in each instance reference is made to the copy of the contract or other document
filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. All statements made in this
prospectus concerning these contracts or documents are qualified in all respects
by this reference. A copy of the registration statement, as well as other
documents we file with the Commission, may be inspected without charge in the
Commission's public reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, and at the Commission's regional offices located at the Northwestern
Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and
Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. Please call the
Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about its public reference
rooms. Copies of all or any part of the registration statement and other
documents we file may be taken from the public reference rooms upon the payment
of fees prescribed by the Commission. In addition, the registration statement
and other documents we file with the Commission through its Electronic Data
Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval, or "EDGAR," system are available to the
public through the Commission's web site at http://www.sec.gov.

     Upon completion of this offering, we will be required to file periodic
reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission. These
periodic reports, proxy statements and other information will be available for
inspection and copying at the Commission's public reference rooms and through
the web site of the Commission referred to above.

                                       54
<PAGE>   59

                           ILX LIGHTWAVE CORPORATION

                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PAGE
                                                                ----
<S>                                                             <C>
Report of Independent Auditors..............................    F-2
Balance Sheets..............................................    F-3
Statements of Income........................................    F-4
Statements of Shareholders' Equity..........................    F-5
Statements of Cash Flows....................................    F-6
Notes to Financial Statements...............................    F-7
</TABLE>

                                       F-1
<PAGE>   60

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

The Board of Directors
ILX Lightwave Corporation:

     We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of ILX Lightwave
Corporation as of December 31, 1998 and 1999 and the related statements of
income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1999. 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 financial position of ILX Lightwave Corporation at
December 31, 1998 and 1999 and the results of its operations and its cash flows
for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1999 in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

                                          /s/ KPMG LLP

Billings, Montana
February 4, 2000
  except as to the third
  and fourth paragraphs of
  Note 1(l), which is as
  of August 24, 2000

                                       F-2
<PAGE>   61


                           ILX LIGHTWAVE CORPORATION

                                 BALANCE SHEETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                            ------------------------     JUNE 30,
                                                               1998          1999          2000
                                                            ----------    ----------    -----------
                                                                                        (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                         <C>           <C>           <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.............................    $1,888,605    $1,041,393    $   616,888
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
     accounts of $0, $20,000 and $32,000 at December 31,
     1998 and 1999 and June 30, 2000 (unaudited),
     respectively.......................................     1,666,941     2,851,595      5,870,149
  Inventory.............................................     1,365,250     2,027,790      3,450,571
  Prepaid expenses......................................       186,404        56,232        160,349
  Deferred tax assets...................................        89,816        72,786        161,773
  Accrued interest receivable...........................         4,356         3,519             --
                                                            ----------    ----------    -----------
       Total current assets.............................     5,201,372     6,053,315     10,259,730

Property and equipment..................................     2,260,919     2,751,360      3,161,892
  Less accumulated depreciation.........................     1,268,396     1,595,118      1,780,798
                                                            ----------    ----------    -----------
     Net property and equipment.........................       992,523     1,156,242      1,381,094

Other assets............................................         6,353        18,251         19,823
                                                            ----------    ----------    -----------
                                                            $6,200,248    $7,227,808    $11,660,647
                                                            ==========    ==========    ===========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses.................    $  679,974    $  694,608    $ 1,719,965
  Accrued salaries, wages and benefits..................       392,474       562,396        633,134
  Accrued warranty expense..............................       138,450        99,696        156,396
  Current installments of long-term debt................        11,344            --        466,667
  Current taxes payable.................................       265,027         7,184        396,335
                                                            ----------    ----------    -----------
       Total current liabilities........................     1,487,269     1,363,884      3,372,497
Long-term debt..........................................            --            --        856,174
Deferred income taxes...................................        98,525        29,394        121,528
                                                            ----------    ----------    -----------
       Total liabilities................................     1,585,794     1,393,278      4,350,199
Shareholders' equity:
  Common stock, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 (unaudited)
     authorized shares; and 41,203,800; 37,051,800 and
     31,635,948 (unaudited) shares issued and
     outstanding at December 31, 1998 and 1999 and June
     30, 2000, respectively.............................       412,038       370,518        316,359
  Paid-in capital.......................................       902,982            --             --
  Retained earnings.....................................     3,376,334     5,540,912      7,070,989
  Notes receivable secured by common stock..............       (76,900)      (76,900)       (76,900)
                                                            ----------    ----------    -----------
       Total shareholders' equity.......................     4,614,454     5,834,530      7,310,448
Commitments and contingencies...........................
                                                            ----------    ----------    -----------
                                                            $6,200,248    $7,227,808    $11,660,647
                                                            ==========    ==========    ===========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                       F-3
<PAGE>   62


                           ILX LIGHTWAVE CORPORATION


                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                            YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,            -------------------------
                                    ----------------------------------------     JUNE 30,      JUNE 30,
                                       1997          1998           1999           1999          2000
                                    ----------    -----------    -----------    ----------    -----------
                                                                                       (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                 <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>
Sales...........................    $7,565,484    $11,848,480    $17,403,558    $8,186,367    $16,601,454
Cost of sales...................     3,078,553      5,091,469      7,753,639     3,380,588      7,149,970
                                    ----------    -----------    -----------    ----------    -----------
  Gross margin..................     4,486,931      6,757,011      9,649,919     4,805,779      9,451,484
Operating expenses:
  Marketing and sales...........     1,451,968      1,934,174      2,473,448     1,226,476      1,654,210
  Research and development......     1,056,502      1,888,451      2,322,450     1,076,169      2,157,057
  General and administrative....       640,088        845,933      1,378,108       557,785      1,063,786
                                    ----------    -----------    -----------    ----------    -----------
     Total operating expenses...     3,148,558      4,668,558      6,174,006     2,860,430      4,875,053
                                    ----------    -----------    -----------    ----------    -----------
     Operating income...........     1,338,373      2,088,453      3,475,913     1,945,349      4,576,431
Other income (expense):
  Interest income...............        68,352         62,314         54,158        32,945         13,624
  Interest expense..............        (2,584)        (1,224)        (1,206)          (88)       (39,432)
  Foreign exchange gain
     (loss).....................       (27,925)        49,861          7,623       (46,506)         9,322
  Other.........................        11,651            (23)        (7,936)      (18,011)         6,331
                                    ----------    -----------    -----------    ----------    -----------
     Total other income
       (loss)...................        49,494        110,928         52,639       (31,660)       (10,155)
                                    ----------    -----------    -----------    ----------    -----------
     Income before income
       taxes....................     1,387,867      2,199,381      3,528,552     1,913,689      4,566,276
Income tax expense..............       483,047        771,656      1,268,879       689,464      1,660,702
                                    ----------    -----------    -----------    ----------    -----------
     Net income.................    $  904,820    $ 1,427,725    $ 2,259,673    $1,224,225    $ 2,905,574
                                    ==========    ===========    ===========    ==========    ===========
Basic earnings per share........    $     0.02    $      0.03    $      0.06    $     0.03    $      0.08
                                    ==========    ===========    ===========    ==========    ===========
Diluted earnings per share......    $     0.02    $      0.03    $      0.05    $     0.03    $      0.08
                                    ==========    ===========    ===========    ==========    ===========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                       F-4
<PAGE>   63


                           ILX LIGHTWAVE CORPORATION

                       STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              NOTES
                                                                                            RECEIVABLE        TOTAL
                                    NUMBER OF                    PAID-IN      RETAINED      SECURED BY    SHAREHOLDERS'
                                      SHARES     COMMON STOCK    CAPITAL      EARNINGS     COMMON STOCK      EQUITY
                                    ----------   ------------   ----------   -----------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                 <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>           <C>            <C>
Balances at December 31,
  1996............................  44,083,800     $440,838     $1,580,261   $ 1,136,005     $ (9,200)     $ 3,147,904
Exercise of stock options.........     180,000        1,800         17,861            --       (9,200)          10,461
Dividends paid....................          --           --             --       (92,216)          --          (92,216)
Net income........................          --           --             --       904,820           --          904,820
                                    ----------     --------     ----------   -----------     --------      -----------
Balances at December 31,
  1997............................  44,263,800      442,638      1,598,122     1,948,609      (18,400)       3,970,969
Exercise of stock options.........     468,000        4,680         53,820            --      (58,500)              --
Repurchase of common stock........  (3,528,000)     (35,280)      (748,960)           --           --         (784,240)
Net income........................          --           --             --     1,427,725           --        1,427,725
                                    ----------     --------     ----------   -----------     --------      -----------
Balances at December 31,
  1998............................  41,203,800      412,038        902,982     3,376,334      (76,900)       4,614,454
Additional shares issued..........      48,000          480         14,320            --           --           14,800
Repurchase of common stock........  (4,200,000)     (42,000)      (917,302)      (95,095)          --       (1,054,397)
Net income........................          --           --             --     2,259,673           --        2,259,673
                                    ----------     --------     ----------   -----------     --------      -----------
Balances at December 31,
  1999............................  37,051,800      370,518             --     5,540,912      (76,900)       5,834,530
Repurchase of common stock
  (unaudited).....................  (5,415,852)     (54,159)            --    (1,375,497)          --       (1,429,656)
Net income (unaudited)............          --           --             --     2,905,574           --        2,905,574
                                    ----------     --------     ----------   -----------     --------      -----------
Balances at June 30, 2000
  (unaudited).....................  31,635,948     $316,359             --   $ 7,070,989     $(76,900)     $ 7,310,448
                                    ==========     ========     ==========   ===========     ========      ===========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                       F-5
<PAGE>   64


                           ILX LIGHTWAVE CORPORATION


                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                   YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,            --------------------------
                                            ---------------------------------------     JUNE 30,       JUNE 30,
                                               1997          1998          1999           1999           2000
                                            ----------    ----------    -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                                              (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                         <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income............................    $  904,820    $1,427,725    $ 2,259,673    $ 1,224,225    $ 2,905,574
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to
    net cash provided by operating
    activities:
    Depreciation........................       200,317       236,893        326,722        148,430        185,680
    Provision for doubtful accounts.....            --            --         20,000             --         12,000
    Director stock compensation.........            --            --         14,800             --             --
    Change in:
      Accrued interest receivable.......        (3,186)       13,062            837            407          3,519
      Accounts receivable...............      (372,339)     (464,457)    (1,204,654)    (1,036,686)    (3,030,554)
      Inventory.........................      (120,046)     (261,443)      (662,540)      (384,949)    (1,422,781)
      Prepaid expenses and other
         assets.........................        73,535      (158,538)       118,274         89,796       (105,689)
      Accounts payable and accrued
         expenses, salaries, wages and
         benefits.......................       415,935       349,273        184,556        (13,019)     1,096,095
      Accrued warranty expense..........        11,370        91,690        (38,754)       (15,779)        56,700
      Current taxes payable.............       423,647      (171,486)      (257,843)        20,296        389,151
      Deferred income taxes.............         7,508        (7,010)       (52,101)       (14,809)         3,147
                                            ----------    ----------    -----------    -----------    -----------
         Net cash provided by operating
           activities...................     1,541,561     1,055,709        708,970         17,912         92,842
                                            ----------    ----------    -----------    -----------    -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Purchases of securities
    available-for-sale..................      (564,439)     (600,000)            --             --             --
  Maturities of securities
    available-for-sale..................       679,950       791,028             --             --             --
  Purchases of property and equipment...      (374,045)     (529,400)      (490,441)      (177,220)      (410,532)
                                            ----------    ----------    -----------    -----------    -----------
         Net cash used in investing
           activities...................      (258,534)     (338,372)      (490,441)      (177,220)      (410,532)
                                            ----------    ----------    -----------    -----------    -----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds of long-term debt............            --            --             --            618      1,400,618
  Payments on long-term debt............       (43,146)      (44,506)       (11,344)       (11,344)       (77,777)
  Proceeds from exercise of stock
    options.............................        10,461            --             --             --             --
  Repurchase of common stock............            --      (784,240)    (1,054,397)            --     (1,429,656)
  Dividends paid........................       (92,216)           --             --             --             --
                                            ----------    ----------    -----------    -----------    -----------
         Net cash used in financing
           activities...................      (124,901)     (828,746)    (1,065,741)       (10,726)      (106,815)
                                            ----------    ----------    -----------    -----------    -----------
Net change in cash and cash
  equivalents...........................     1,158,126      (111,409)      (847,212)      (170,034)      (424,505)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of
  period................................       841,888     2,000,014      1,888,605      1,888,605      1,041,393
                                            ----------    ----------    -----------    -----------    -----------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of
  period................................    $2,000,014    $1,888,605    $ 1,041,393    $ 1,718,571    $   616,888
                                            ==========    ==========    ===========    ===========    ===========
Cash paid during the period for:
  Interest..............................    $    2,584    $    1,224    $     1,206    $        88    $    39,432
  Income taxes..........................        51,892       950,152      1,578,823        690,330      1,268,404
                                            ==========    ==========    ===========    ===========    ===========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                       F-6
<PAGE>   65


                           ILX LIGHTWAVE CORPORATION

                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1998 AND 1999
   (INFORMATION FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 AND 2000 IS UNAUDITED)

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a) NATURE OF BUSINESS

     ILX Lightwave Corporation (the Company) designs, manufactures and markets
optical test and measurement equipment for sale in the United States and
throughout the world. The Company has facilities located in Bozeman, Montana and
Boulder, Colorado as well as sales and service centers located in Japan and
England.

(b) USE OF ESTIMATES

     Management of the Company has made estimates and assumptions relating to
the reporting of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure
of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial statements in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Actual results could
differ from those estimates.

(C) CASH EQUIVALENTS

     For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the Company considers all
highly liquid debt instruments with maturities of three months or less at the
date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents include certificates
of deposit of $628,818 and $285,000 at December 31, 1998 and 1999, respectively.

(d) ACCOUNTING FOR CERTAIN DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES

     Debt securities for which the Company has the positive intent and ability
to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and are stated at
amortized cost. Debt and equity securities held primarily for the purpose of
selling them in the near term are classified as trading securities and reported
at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in income. Debt and
equity securities not classified as held-to-maturity or trading are classified
as available-for-sale and reported at fair value with unrealized gains and
losses, net of income taxes, shown as a separate component of shareholders'
equity.

(e) ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

     The Company assesses the need for an allowance for doubtful accounts based
upon factors including past loss experience, known and inherent risks in the
accounts, adverse situations that may affect a customer's ability to repay and
current economic conditions.

(f) INVENTORIES

     Inventories are stated at the lower of standard cost (which approximate the
first-in, first-out method) or market value. Inventory costs include labor,
materials and certain direct and indirect costs related to inventory purchasing,
production and storage.

                                       F-7
<PAGE>   66
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(g) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT


     Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using
the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective
assets, which are as follows:



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      EXPECTED
                            ITEM                                     USEFUL LIFE
                            ----                                     -----------
<S>                                                           <C>
Equipment...................................................  3 to 5 years
Furniture and fixtures......................................  7 years
Leasehold improvements......................................  Shorter of assets'
                                                              useful life or lease term
</TABLE>


(h) WARRANTY COSTS

     The Company provides a limited one year warranty on all of its products and
accrues estimated warranty costs at the time of sale.

(i) INCOME TAXES

     Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax
consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. The
effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is
recognized in tax expense in the period that includes the enactment date.

(j) REVENUE RECOGNITION


     The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of its products at the time
title passes to the customer, which is, typically, when the products are shipped
to domestic customers and when received by international customers.


(k) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION


     The Company applies the intrinsic value-based method of accounting
prescribed by Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25, "Accounting
for Stock Issued to Employees," and related interpretations, in accounting for
its fixed plan stock options. As such, compensation expense for employee stock
option grants would be recorded on the date of grant only if the current market
price of the underlying stock exceeded the exercise price. Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation," established accounting and disclosure requirements using a fair
value-based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation plans.
Compensation expense for nonemployee stock option grants is measured at the
grant date based on the fair value of the award as required by SFAS No. 123. As
allowed by SFAS No. 123, the Company has elected to continue to apply the
intrinsic value-based method of accounting for employee stock option grants
described above, and has adopted the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123.


(l) EARNINGS PER SHARE

     Basic earnings per share (EPS) is computed by dividing net income available
to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares
outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that
could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were
exercised or resulted in the issuance of common stock that would share in the

                                       F-8
<PAGE>   67
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

earnings of the entity. Dilutive potential common shares are added to the
weighted-average shares used to compute basic EPS.

     Effective February 5, 1999, the Company declared a three-for-one stock
split (effected in the form of a two-for-one stock dividend).

     Effective July 13, 2000 (unaudited), the Company declared a three-for-one
stock split (effected in the form of a two-for-one stock dividend). Effective
August 24, 2000 (unaudited), the Company declared a four-for-one stock split
(effected in the form of a three-for-one stock dividend).


     All share and per share data have been restated for the effect of the stock
dividends, accounted for as stock splits. In conjunction with the stock splits,
the Company's authorized shares were increased to 50,000,000.


(m) IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

     Long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles are reviewed for
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An asset is deemed impaired
if the sum of the expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of
the asset. If impaired, an impairment loss is recognized to reduce the carrying
value of the asset to fair value. At December 31, 1998 and 1999 there were no
assets that were considered impaired.

(n) FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

     Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in results
of operations.


(o) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES



     Research and development costs related to both present and future products
are expensed in the period incurred.



(p) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS


     The Company discloses the fair value for financial instruments, whether
recognized or not recognized on the balance sheet. A financial instrument is
defined as cash, evidence of an ownership interest in an entity, or a contract
that both imposes a contractual obligation on one entity to deliver cash or
another financial instrument to a second entity. Quoted market prices are used
for fair value when available, but do not exist for some of the Company's
financial instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available,
fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation
techniques.

     The following assumptions and methods were used by the Company in
estimating the fair value of its financial instruments:

     Cash and Cash Equivalents. The carrying amounts of cash and cash
equivalents approximate fair value due to the liquid short-term nature of the
instruments.

     Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other
Liabilities. The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short
maturity of those instruments.

     Long-term Debt. The carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the debt
bearing interest at a variable rate.

                                       F-9
<PAGE>   68
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)


(q) UNAUDITED INFORMATION


     The financial statements include the unaudited balance sheet as of June 30,
2000 and the unaudited statements of income and cash flows for the six months
ended June 30, 1999 and 2000. In management's opinion, this information has been
prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements and reflects all
adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair
presentation of the financial information, in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles for interim financial information, for the period
presented. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the
results to be expected for the entire year.

(2) INVENTORY

     Inventory consists of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   DECEMBER 31,
                                                             ------------------------
                                                                1998          1999       JUNE 30, 2000
                                                             ----------    ----------    -------------
                                                                                          (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                          <C>           <C>           <C>
Raw materials............................................    $  911,694    $1,502,953     $2,740,871
Work-in-process..........................................       212,592       266,640        446,689
Finished goods...........................................       240,964       258,197        263,011
                                                             ----------    ----------     ----------
                                                             $1,365,250    $2,027,790     $3,450,571
                                                             ==========    ==========     ==========
</TABLE>

(3) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

     Property and equipment consists of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   DECEMBER 31,
                                                             ------------------------
                                                                1998          1999       JUNE 30, 2000
                                                             ----------    ----------    -------------
                                                                                          (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                          <C>           <C>           <C>
Equipment................................................    $1,918,394    $2,336,233     $2,750,866
Furniture and fixtures...................................       218,154       269,714        264,741
Leasehold improvements...................................       124,371       145,413        146,285
                                                             ----------    ----------     ----------
                                                             $2,260,919    $2,751,360     $3,161,892
                                                             ==========    ==========     ==========
</TABLE>

(4) NOTE PAYABLE

     The Company has a revolving line of credit in the amount of $1,500,000,
which had not been drawn at December 31, 1999. The line of credit bears interest
at prime plus 1%. Interest is payable monthly, with any advances due July 27,
2000. The line of credit is secured by accounts receivable, investments,
intangibles, inventory, and equipment. The line of credit agreement restricts,
among other things, the ability of the Company to pay dividends, incur
additional debt and alter the nature or scope of the Company's business without
prior consent of the lender.

     (Unaudited) -- In April 2000, the Company amended the line of credit to
increase the amount available to $2,000,000 bearing interest at prime plus .75%
with a maturity date of March 22, 2001. In April 2000, the Company also entered
into a term loan in the amount of $1,400,000. See note 8.

                                      F-10
<PAGE>   69
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(5) LEASE COMMITMENTS

     The Company leases its office and plant facilities in Bozeman under a
non-cancelable operating lease with a term of ten years beginning April 1, 1994.
The Company may extend the term of the lease at its option for up to three
successive five-year terms. The lease agreement requires the Company to pay
utilities, taxes and maintenance expenses on the property and requires monthly
payments of $11,500. The Company also leases its office and plant facilities in
Boulder under a non-cancelable operating lease with a term of three years
beginning September 1998. The lease agreement requires the Company to pay
utilities, taxes and maintenance expenses on the property and requires monthly
payments of $8,263. Rent expense, included in general and administrative
expenses in the statements of income, was $138,000, $171,053 and $245,285 for
the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively, and $124,991 and
$159,550 for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and 2000 (unaudited),
respectively.

     The Company has sub-leased a portion of its office space in its Boulder
facility beginning December 1998 on essentially the same terms as its operating
lease. The sub-lease agreement requires the lessee to pay a pro-rata share of
the utilities, tax and maintenance expense on the property and requires monthly
payments of $618. Rent income, included in other income in the statements of
income, was $618 and $7,416 for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1999,
respectively, and $3,708 and $3,708 for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and
2000 (unaudited), respectively.

     Future minimum rental payments and sub-lease income for the next five years
under these leases at December 31, 1999 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PAYMENTS    INCOME
                                                                --------    ------
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>
2000........................................................    $237,156    7,416
2001........................................................     187,578       --
2002........................................................     138,000       --
2003........................................................     115,000       --
2004........................................................          --       --
</TABLE>

(6) INCOME TAX EXPENSE

     Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,         -------------------------
                                          ----------------------------------     JUNE 30,       JUNE 30,
                                            1997        1998         1999          1999           2000
                                          --------    --------    ----------    -----------    ----------
                                                                                       (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>            <C>
Current:
  Federal.............................    $383,430    $628,647    $1,074,190     $573,140      $1,348,838
  State...............................      92,109     150,019       246,790      131,133         308,717
                                          --------    --------    ----------     --------      ----------
                                           475,539     778,666     1,320,980      704,273       1,657,555
                                          --------    --------    ----------     --------      ----------
Deferred:
  Federal.............................       6,389      (5,780)      (42,956)     (12,209)          2,595
  State...............................       1,119      (1,230)       (9,145)      (2,600)            552
                                          --------    --------    ----------     --------      ----------
                                             7,508      (7,010)      (52,101)     (14,809)          3,147
                                          --------    --------    ----------     --------      ----------
                                          $483,047    $771,656    $1,268,879     $689,464      $1,660,702
                                          ========    ========    ==========     ========      ==========
</TABLE>

                                      F-11
<PAGE>   70
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

     Income tax expense differed from "expected" income tax expense (computed by
applying the Federal corporate income tax rate of 34% to income before income
taxes) as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,         --------------------------
                                          ----------------------------------     JUNE 30,       JUNE 30,
                                            1997        1998         1999          1999           2000
                                          --------    --------    ----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                                       (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>            <C>
Computed "expected" tax expense.......    $471,875    $747,790    $1,199,708     $650,654      $1,552,534
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
  State taxes, net of Federal income
     tax benefit......................      61,531      98,201       156,846       84,832         204,118
  Research tax credit.................     (50,000)    (76,000)      (85,000)     (38,000)       (100,804)
  Other, net..........................        (359)      1,665        (2,675)      (8,022)          4,854
                                          --------    --------    ----------     --------      ----------
                                          $483,047    $771,656    $1,268,879     $689,464      $1,660,702
                                          ========    ========    ==========     ========      ==========
</TABLE>

     Differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax
bases of assets and liabilities that give rise to significant portions of
deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                --------------------
                                                                  1998        1999      JUNE 30, 2000
                                                                --------    --------    -------------
                                                                                         (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>         <C>
Deferred tax assets:
  Accrued warranty expense..................................    $ 53,240    $ 38,338      $  60,142
  Accrued vacation..........................................      26,473      35,490         49,937
  UNICAP adjustment to inventory............................      10,103          --         39,388
  Reserve for bad debts.....................................          --       7,691         12,306
                                                                --------    --------      ---------
       Deferred tax assets..................................      89,816      81,519        161,773
                                                                --------    --------      ---------
  Deferred tax liability:
  Property and equipment, principally due to differences in
     depreciation...........................................     (98,525)    (29,394)      (121,528)
  UNICAP adjustment to inventory............................          --      (8,733)            --
                                                                --------    --------      ---------
       Deferred tax liabilities.............................     (98,525)    (38,127)      (121,528)
                                                                --------    --------      ---------
       Net deferred tax asset (liability)...................    $ (8,709)   $ 43,392      $  40,245
                                                                ========    ========      =========
</TABLE>

     In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers
whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax
assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is
dependent upon the existence of, or generation of, taxable income in the periods
which those temporary differences are deductible. Management considers the
scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, taxes paid in carryback years,
projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this
assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and estimates of
future taxable income over the periods which the deferred tax assets are
deductible, at December 31, 1998 and 1999, management believes it is more likely
than not that the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible
differences.

                                      F-12
<PAGE>   71
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(7) EARNINGS PER SHARE

     The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted
earnings per share:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                          YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,             --------------------------
                                  -----------------------------------------     JUNE 30,       JUNE 30,
                                     1997           1998           1999           1999           2000
                                  -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                                      (UNAUDITED)
<S>                               <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Average outstanding shares
  during the year on which
  basic earnings per share is
  calculated..................     44,051,742     42,344,628     39,932,580     41,203,800     34,433,147
Add:
  Incremental shares from
     assumed exercise of stock
     options..................        284,394        526,860      1,026,960        947,988      2,013,023
Add:
  Incremental shares from
     partially paid shares
     (see note 11)............         53,943        296,100        353,952        337,836        512,143
                                  -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------
Average outstanding shares on
  which diluted earnings per
  share is calculated.........     44,390,079     43,167,588     41,313,492     42,489,624     36,958,313
                                  ===========    ===========    ===========    ===========    ===========
Net income available to common
  shareholders................    $   904,820    $ 1,427,725    $ 2,259,673    $ 1,224,225    $ 2,905,574
                                  ===========    ===========    ===========    ===========    ===========
Basic earnings per share......    $       .02    $       .03    $       .06    $       .03    $       .08
                                  ===========    ===========    ===========    ===========    ===========
Diluted earnings per share....    $       .02    $       .03    $       .05    $       .03    $       .08
                                  ===========    ===========    ===========    ===========    ===========
</TABLE>



     Stock options to purchase 153,000, 72,000 and 174,000 shares for the year
ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively, and 198,000 shares for the
six months ended June 30, 1999 were outstanding, but were not included in the
computation of diluted earnings per share because the options' exercise prices
were greater than the average market price of the common shares, and therefore,
the effect would be antidilutive. No stock options were excluded from the
computation of diluted earnings per share in the six months ended June 30, 2000.


(8) STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND STOCK OPTIONS

     In connection with an earlier sale of the Company's common stock, the
Company entered into a stock purchase agreement with a shareholder. The stock
purchase agreement provides the shareholder with certain future stock
registration rights if the Company registers stock under the Securities Act.
Except for shares excluded under the terms of the stock option plan, the
agreement also provides the shareholder the option to retain its existing
ownership percentage of 14.62% of the Company under future sales or exchanges of
stock. In April 1998 the Company repurchased 3,240,000 shares for a total price
of $720,000. In conjunction with this purchase, the Company entered into another
stock purchase agreement with this shareholder. The agreement grants the Company
an exclusive and irrevocable option to purchase all or any part of the shares
owned by the shareholder. In September 1999, the Company repurchased 4,200,000
shares for a total price of $1,054,397.

                                      F-13
<PAGE>   72
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

     (Unaudited) -- On April 4, 2000 the Company exercised its option to
repurchase the remaining 5,415,852 shares for a total price of $1,429,656. This
resulted in a termination of the agreement. The repurchase was financed with a
term loan in the amount of $1,400,000. The term loan bears interest at prime
rate plus 1.5%, with principal payable in 36 equal installments of approximately
$39,000 beginning May 31, 2000. The term loan is subject to the same
restrictions as the line of credit (see note 4).


     During 1988, the Company established a stock option plan whereby certain
key employees were eligible to receive incentive stock options and non-qualified
stock options and certain directors and consultants were eligible to receive
non-qualified stock options. During 1998, the original stock option plan expired
and a new plan, with similar terms, was approved by the board of directors. The
1998 plan provides for the award of options for a maximum of 5,556,000 shares
(unaudited) (restated for stock splits and including the additional
authorization of 1,956,000 shares reserved for issuance under the 1998 plan
(unaudited) in May 2000) of the Company's common stock. In connection with any
option granted under the plan, the Company, may at its sole discretion, grant a
stock appreciation right (SAR) which may be exercised as an alternative, but not
in addition to, an option granted pursuant to the stock option plan. The
exercise price of incentive stock options may not be less than fair market value
at the date of the grant. Options are nontransferable and expire if not
exercised within seven years from the date of the grant for options granted
prior to September 4, 1998 and ten years for options granted on September 4,
1998 and thereafter. Vesting periods are determined on the date of grant and
generally range from four to five years. Options vesting over four years
generally vest 25 percent each year. Options vesting over five years vest 40
percent at the end of the second year and 20 percent annually thereafter.


     All options granted as of December 31, 1999 had exercise prices equal to
fair value, as determined by the board of directors in accordance with the terms
of the stock option plan, at the date of grant. At December 31, 1999 and June
30, 2000 (unaudited), total shares available for option grants under the 1998
plan to employees are 2,322,000 and 4,038,000, respectively. At December 31,
1999 and June 30, 2000 (unaudited), no SAR's had been granted.

                                      F-14
<PAGE>   73
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

     Stock option activity during the periods indicated is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
                                                                ----------------------------
                                                                                 WEIGHTED
                                                                  NUMBER         AVERAGE
                                                                OF SHARES     EXERCISE PRICE
                                                                ----------    --------------
<S>                                                             <C>           <C>
Outstanding at December 31, 1996 (2,203,200 exercisable)....     3,276,000        $  .16
Granted.....................................................     2,592,000           .14
Canceled....................................................    (3,096,000)          .17
Exercised...................................................      (180,000)          .11
                                                                ----------
Outstanding at December 31, 1997 (1,432,800 exercisable)....     2,592,000           .14
Granted.....................................................     1,296,000           .23
Canceled....................................................      (108,000)          .13
Exercised...................................................      (468,000)          .13
                                                                ----------
Outstanding at December 31, 1998 (1,190,880 exercisable)....     3,312,000           .18
Granted.....................................................     1,218,000           .27
Canceled....................................................    (1,128,000)          .22
                                                                ----------
Outstanding at December 31, 1999 (1,730,640 exercisable)....     3,402,000           .20
Granted (unaudited).........................................       672,000          1.04
Canceled (unaudited)........................................      (432,000)          .24
                                                                ----------
Outstanding at June 30, 2000 (1,781,040 exercisable)
  (unaudited)...............................................     3,642,000           .35
                                                                ==========
</TABLE>

     The stock options outstanding at December 31, 1999 (adjusted for the
February 1999, July 2000 and August 2000 stock splits) consist of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          OUTSTANDING                  EXERCISABLE
--------------------------------   --------------------
                       WEIGHTED
           WEIGHTED    AVERAGE                 WEIGHTED
           AVERAGE    REMAINING                AVERAGE
 NUMBER    EXERCISE    TERM TO      NUMBER     EXERCISE
OF SHARES   PRICE     EXPIRATION   OF SHARES    PRICE
---------  --------   ----------   ---------   --------
<S>        <C>        <C>          <C>         <C>
1,404,000..   $.13    4.27 Years   1,296,000     $.13
 792,000..    .22     5.62 Years     192,240      .21
1,206,000..    .27    9.61 Years     192,000      .31
---------                          ---------
3,402,000..    .20                 1,680,240      .16
=========                          =========
</TABLE>

     For the purposes of computing pro forma net income, the fair value of each
option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option
pricing model. The assumptions used to value the option grant are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                            YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,           --------------------------
                                      -------------------------------------     JUNE 30,       JUNE 30,
                                       1997         1998           1999           1999           2000
                                      -------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                                      (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                   <C>        <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Dividend yield....................         0%             0%             0%             0%           0%
Expected term.....................    4 years        4 years        6 years        4 years      6 years
Risk-free interest rate...........       6.0%    5.6% - 5.8%    4.8% - 6.0%    4.8% - 5.5%         6.5%
Volatility rate...................         0%             0%             0%             0%           0%
Calculated fair value.............       $.35           $.77           $.85           $.53        $4.05
</TABLE>

                                      F-15
<PAGE>   74
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

     The Company applies the intrinsic value method in accounting for its grants
of options. Option valuation models require the input of highly subjective
assumptions. Because the Company's stock options have characteristics
significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the
subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in
management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable
single measure of the fair value of its stock options.

     For purposes of the pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the
options is amortized to expense over the vesting period of the options. Had the
Company determined compensation cost based on the fair value at the grant date
for its stock options using the fair value method, the Company's net income
would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                          FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,      ------------------------
                                        ------------------------------------     JUNE 30,      JUNE 30,
                                          1997         1998          1999          1999          2000
                                        --------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
                                                                                      (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                     <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Net income-
  As reported.......................    $904,820    $1,427,725    $2,259,673    $1,224,225    $2,905,574
  Pro forma.........................     882,621     1,420,200     2,229,976     1,215,204     2,877,192
Basic earnings per share-
  As reported.......................         .02           .03           .06           .03           .08
  Pro forma.........................         .02           .03           .06           .03           .08
Diluted earnings per share-
  As reported.......................         .02           .03           .05           .03           .08
Pro forma...........................    $    .02    $      .03    $      .05    $      .03    $      .08
                                        ========    ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========
</TABLE>


     During the year ended December 31, 1999, the Company recognized $14,800 of
director stock compensation expense as a result of a director stock grant of
48,000 shares. The deemed fair value of the stock on the date of grant was $.31
per share determined by the board of directors.


(9) RISK CONCENTRATIONS


     Export Sales: Export sales, as a percentage of total sales, consist of the
following:



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    YEARS ENDED              SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                    DECEMBER 31,        --------------------------
                                                --------------------     JUNE 30,       JUNE 30,
                                                1997    1998    1999       1999           2000
                                                ----    ----    ----    -----------    -----------
                                                                        (UNAUDITED)    (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>            <C>
Europe........................................   13%      9%     17%        17%            18%
Asia/Pacific..................................   20      13      12         12             13
                                                 --      --      --         --             --
                                                 33%     22%     29%        29%            31%
                                                 ==      ==      ==         ==             ==
</TABLE>



     Major Customers: The Company had two customers that accounted for 10% or
more of total sales during the year ended December 31, 1999. Revenues by
customer were $4,449,960, or 25% of total sales, and $1,853,878, or 10%,
respectively, of total sales. These two customers comprised 30% of the accounts
receivable as of December 31, 1999. The loss of these customers could have a
material adverse impact of the Company's financial position and results of
operations.



     Suppliers: The Company had two suppliers that accounted for 10% or more of
inventory purchases during the year ended December 31, 1999. Inventory purchases
from these two suppliers were $1,962,308, or 26% of total purchases, and
$1,565,177, or 21% of total purchases, in the year


                                      F-16
<PAGE>   75
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)


ended December 31, 1999. The interruption in the supply of inventory from these
suppliers could have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial
position and results of operations.


(10) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

     The Company has a 401(k) savings plan covering substantially all employees.
Eligible employees may contribute up to 15% of their salary and the Company
makes matching contributions of up to 100% of the employee contribution, limited
to 2% of salary. Employees vest in Company contributions in 20% increments in
service years two to six, being fully vested at the end of six years of service.
The Company's contributions for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999
and for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and 2000 (unaudited) were
approximately $24,000, $33,000, $38,000, $17,000 and $26,000, respectively.

(11) NOTES RECEIVABLE SECURED BY COMMON STOCK


     During 1996, 1997 and 1998, a shareholder exercised options to purchase
90,000, 90,000 and 468,000 shares, respectively, of the Company's common stock.
These purchases were financed with long-term recourse notes in the amount of
$9,200, $9,200 and $58,500, respectively, from the Company. The terms of the
notes require annual interest payments at a rate of 6.25%, 6.25% and 5.75%,
respectively, and principal payments at maturity, December 2003, June 2004 and
January 2003, respectively. The notes are secured by the shares of common stock
issued.


(12) SUBSEQUENT EVENT (UNAUDITED)


     On July 14, 2000, the Company's Board of Directors granted 591,000 stock
options to certain employees of the Company. The exercise price of the options
is $1.08. The options have a four year vesting period.



     On July 28, 2000 the Company's Board of Directors granted 515,000 stock
options to certain employees of the Company. The exercise price of the options
is $6.10. The options have a four year vesting period.


     The Company effected stock splits on July 13, 2000 and August 24, 2000. See
note 1(l).


     On August 30, 2000, the Company's Board of Directors granted 126,400 stock
options to certain employees of the Company. The exercise price of the options
is $10.29. The options generally have a four year vesting period.


                                      F-17
<PAGE>   76


     [The inside back cover of the prospectus contains our logo and the phrase
"Innovative Optical Test and Measurement Equipment" at the bottom of the page]

<PAGE>   77

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                            SHARES

                              [ILX LIGHTWAVE LOGO]

                                  COMMON STOCK

                            -----------------------

                                   PROSPECTUS
                             ----------------------

                                   CHASE H&Q
                           U.S. BANCORP PIPER JAFFRAY
                                 WIT SOUNDVIEW

                               ------------------

                                           , 2000
                               ------------------

     YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS. WE
HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION DIFFERENT FROM THAT
CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS. WE ARE OFFERING TO SELL, AND SEEKING OFFERS TO
BUY, SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ONLY IN JURISDICTIONS WHERE OFFERS AND SALES ARE
PERMITTED. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE ONLY AS OF
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS, REGARDLESS OF THE TIME OF DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS OR OF ANY SALE OF OUR COMMON STOCK.

     WE HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION IN ANY JURISDICTION OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES
TO PERMIT A PUBLIC OFFERING OF THE COMMON STOCK OR POSSESSION AND DISTRIBUTION
OF THIS PROSPECTUS IN THAT JURISDICTION. PERSONS WHO COME INTO POSSESSION OF
THIS PROSPECTUS IN JURISDICTIONS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES ARE REQUIRED TO
INFORM THEMSELVES ABOUT AND TO OBSERVE ANY RESTRICTIONS AS TO THIS OFFERING AND
THE DISTRIBUTION OF THIS PROSPECTUS APPLICABLE TO THAT JURISDICTION.

     UNTIL             , 2000, ALL DEALERS THAT EFFECT TRANSACTIONS IN THESE
SECURITIES, WHETHER OR NOT PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING, MAY BE REQUIRED TO
DELIVER A PROSPECTUS. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE DEALER'S OBLIGATION TO DELIVER
A PROSPECTUS WHEN ACTING AS AN UNDERWRITER AND WITH RESPECT TO UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS
OR SUBSCRIPTIONS.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   78

                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

     Except as set forth below, the following fees and expenses will be paid by
us in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered
hereby and do not include underwriting commissions and discounts. All expenses,
except for the SEC registration, NASD filing and Nasdaq listing fees, are
estimated.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  AMOUNT
                                                                TO BE PAID
                                                                ----------
<S>                                                             <C>
SEC registration fee........................................     $ 30,360
NASD filing fee.............................................       12,000
Nasdaq National Market listing fee..........................       95,000
Legal fees and expenses.....................................      300,000
Accounting fees and expenses................................      250,000
Transfer agent's and registrar's fees.......................        5,000
Printing and engraving expenses.............................      125,000
Miscellaneous...............................................       57,640
                                                                 --------
     Total..................................................      875,000
                                                                 ========
</TABLE>


ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

     Section 302A.521 of the Minnesota Statutes provides that a corporation
shall indemnify any person made or threatened to be made a party to a proceeding
by reason of the former or present official capacity of such person against
judgments, penalties, fines (including, without limitation, excise taxes
assessed against such person with respect to any employee benefit plan),
settlements and reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees and
disbursements, incurred by such person in connection with the proceeding, if,
with respect to the acts of omissions of such person complained of in the
proceeding, such person (1) has not been indemnified therefore by another
organization or employee benefit plan for the same judgments, penalties or
fines; (2) acted in good faith; (3) received no improper personal benefit and
Section 302A.255 (with respect to director conflicts of interest), if
applicable, has been satisfied; (4) in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful; and (5) in the case of
acts or omissions in such person's official capacity for the corporation,
reasonably believed that the conduct was in the best interest of the
corporation, or in the case of acts or omissions in such person's official
capacity for other affiliated organizations, reasonably believed that the
conduct was not opposed to the best interest of the corporation. Section
302A.521 also requires payment by a corporation, upon written request, of
reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of the proceeding in certain
instances. A decision as to required indemnification is made by a disinterested
majority of the Board of Directors present at a meeting at which a disinterested
quorum is present, or by a designated committee of the Board, by special legal
counsel, by the stockholders or by a court.

     Provisions regarding indemnification of our officers and directors to the
extent permitted by Section 302A.521 are contained in our article of
incorporation and bylaws.

     We intend to purchase a policy of directors' and officers' liability
insurance that insures our directors and officers against the cost of defense,
settlement or payment of a judgment under certain circumstances, including
securities law claims.

                                      II-1
<PAGE>   79

     The Underwriting Agreement contained in Exhibit 1.1 to this registration
statement provides that the underwriters are obligated, under certain
circumstances, to indemnify our directors and officers against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

     Since June 30, 1997, we have issued and sold the following securities that
were not registered under the Securities Act:


     - On January 28, 1998, we issued 468,000 shares of our common stock to our
       Chief Financial Officer upon the exercise of previously granted stock
       options and in exchange for promissory notes totalling $58,500. The stock
       was issued in reliance upon the exemption contained in Section 4(2) of
       the Securities Act for a transaction not involving a public offering.


     - On February 5, 1999, we issued 2,289,100 shares of common stock to
       reflect our three-for-one stock split (in the form of a two-for-one stock
       dividend) effective on that date.


     - On December 7, 1999, we issued 48,000 shares of our common stock as
       compensation to one of our directors. The stock was issued in reliance
       upon the exemption contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act for a
       transaction not involving a public offering.


     - On July 13, 2000, we issued 5,272,658 shares of common stock to reflect
       our three-for-one stock split (in the form of a two-for-one stock
       dividend) effective on that date.

     - On August 24, 2000, we issued 23,726,961 shares of common stock to
       reflect our four-for-one stock split (in the form of a three-for-one
       stock dividend) effective on that date.


     - From June 30, 1997 through September 30, 2000, we granted stock options
       to our employees, directors and consultants under our 1988 stock option
       plan and 1998 stock option plan pursuant to which the optionees may
       purchase up to an aggregate of 3,940,400 shares of our common stock at
       exercise prices ranging from $0.13 to $10.29 per share. Of the options we
       granted during this period, options to purchase a total of 3,206,800
       shares of our common stock remain outstanding as of September 30, 2000.
       The options were granted in reliance upon Rule 701 of the Securities Act.


     The sale and issuance of these securities were deemed to be exempt from
registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act, or Rule 701 promulgated thereunder in that the securities were
offered and sold either pursuant to written compensatory benefit plans or
pursuant to a written contract relating to compensation.

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

     (a) Exhibits


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER                            DESCRIPTION
------                            -----------
<C>       <S>
 1.1*     Form of Underwriting Agreement
 3.1*     Articles of Incorporation of the Company
 3.2*     Bylaws of the Company
 4.1*     Specimen of Common Stock certificate
 5.1*     Opinion of Dorsey & Whitney LLP
10.1+     Employee Stock Purchase Plan
10.2+     1988 Stock Option Plan
10.3+     1998 Long-Term Incentive and Stock Option Plan
10.4*     2000 Stock Incentive Plan
</TABLE>


                                      II-2
<PAGE>   80


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER                            DESCRIPTION
------                            -----------
<C>       <S>
10.5+     Lease Agreement dated June 29, 2000 between the Company and
          Anthony Wayne Oil Corporation
10.6+     Sublease Agreement dated August 10, 1998 between the Company
          and Exabyte, assigned to Nautilus Court II Partnership, Ltd.
          December 21, 1999
10.7+     Lease Agreement dated December 22, 1992 between the Company
          and Anthony Wayne Oil Corporation
10.8+     Loan and Security Agreement dated June 28, 1999 between
          Silicon Valley Bank and the Company, as amended by the First
          Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement dated March 23,
          2000 between Silicon Valley Bank and the Company
23.1+     Consent of KPMG LLP
23.2*     Consent of Dorsey & Whitney LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1 to
          the Registration Statement)
24.1      Powers of Attorney (included on signature page and in
          Exhibit 24.1)
27.1+     Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>


-------------------------
* To be filed by amendment.


+ Previously filed.


     (b) Financial Statement Schedules

         None

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS

     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

     The registrant will provide to 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.

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 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 Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 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 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.

     For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933,
the registrant will treat 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 as part of this registration
statement as of the time the Securities and Exchange Commission declared it
effective.

     For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, the registrant will treat each post-effective amendment that contains a
form of prospectus as a new registration statement for the securities offered in
the registration statement, and will treat that offering of the securities at
that time as the initial bona fide offering of those securities.

                                      II-3
<PAGE>   81

                                   SIGNATURES


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
has duly caused this Amendment to the registration statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Bozeman,
State of Montana, on October 6, 2000.


                                          ILX LIGHTWAVE CORPORATION

                                          By:    /s/ LAWRENCE A. JOHNSON
                                            ------------------------------------
                                              Lawrence A. Johnson
                                              Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
                                              and President


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
to the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on October 6, 2000.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                SIGNATURE                                      TITLE
                ---------                                      -----
<C>                                           <S>                                        <C>
         /s/ LAWRENCE A. JOHNSON              Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
------------------------------------------    President (principal executive officer)
           Lawrence A. Johnson

          /s/ RANDALL T. DUGGER               Vice President Finance and
------------------------------------------    Administration and Chief Financial
            Randall T. Dugger                 Officer (principal financial officer
                                              and principal accounting officer)

                    *                         Director
------------------------------------------
            Frederick R. Hume

                    *                         Director
------------------------------------------
            Glenden F. Johnson

                    *                         Director
------------------------------------------
             Steven M. Quist

                    *                         Director
------------------------------------------
              James C. Wyant

                    *                         Director
------------------------------------------
            William R. Walker

        *By: /s/ RANDALL T. DUGGER
------------------------------------------
            Randall T. Dugger
             Attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>


                                      II-4
<PAGE>   82

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER                               DESCRIPTION
------                               -----------
<C>          <S>
 23.1        Consent of KPMG LLP.
 24.1        Powers of Attorney (included on signature page and in
             Exhibit 24.1).
</TABLE>


                                      II-5


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