NANOMETRICS INC
S-2/A, 2000-03-02
MEASURING & CONTROLLING DEVICES, NEC
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<PAGE>


  As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2000
                                                     Registration No. 333-95115
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                                 -----------

                             AMENDMENT NO. 2
                                      TO
                                   FORM S-2
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     Under
                          The Securities Act of 1933

                                 -----------
                           NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED
            (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

                                 -----------
       California                   3829                  94-2276314
     (State or other          (Primary Standard        (I.R.S. Employer
     jurisdiction of             Industrial         Identification Number)
    incorporation or         Classification Code
      organization)                Number)
                              310 DeGuigne Drive
                          Sunnyvale, California 94086
                                (408) 746-1600
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   Registrant's principal executive offices)

                                 -----------
                                  Paul Nolan
                            Chief Financial Officer
                           Nanometrics Incorporated
                              310 DeGuigne Drive
                          Sunnyvale, California 94086
                                (408) 746-1600
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)

                                 -----------
                                  Copies to:

        Barry E. Taylor, Esq.                  Nora L. Gibson, Esq.
        Craig D. Norris, Esq.                 Laura M. de Petra, Esq.
          Steven Liu, Esq.                      Lora D. Blum, Esq.
        Eric R. Barnett, Esq.                Shelley E. Wharton, Esq.
  Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati        Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP
      Professional Corporation            One Market, Spear Street Tower
         650 Page Mill Road                   San Francisco, CA 94105
         Palo Alto, CA 94304                      (415) 442-0900
           (650) 493-9300

                                 -----------
   Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as
practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
   If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box. [_]
   If the registrant elects to deliver its latest annual report to security
holders, or a complete and legible facsimile thereof, pursuant to Item
(11)(a)(1) of this Form, check the following box. [_]
   If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [_]
   If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the
Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [_]
   If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the
Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [_]
   If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [_]
                        Calculation of Registration Fee


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Title of Each Class                          Proposed        Proposed Maximum     Amount of
  of Securities to Be      Amount to Be    Maximum Offering   Aggregate Offering Registration Fee
       Registered         Registered (1)  Price Per Share (2)      Price (2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>              <C>                 <C>                <C>
Common Stock, no par
 value.................  4,025,000 shares       $21.53           $86,663,281        $22,880(3)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Includes 525,000 shares that the Underwriters have the option to purchase
    to cover over-allotments, if any.
(2) Estimated solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee in
    accordance with Rule 457(c) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(3) Previously paid.

                                 -----------
   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>

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+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 MARCH 2, 2000

PROSPECTUS

                                3,500,000 Shares

                       [LOGO OF NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED]

                                  Common Stock

                                 $   per share

                                   --------

  We are selling 1,750,000 shares of our common stock, and the selling
shareholders named in this prospectus are selling 1,750,000 shares. We will not
receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling shareholders. The
underwriters named in this prospectus may purchase up to additional 525,000
shares of common stock from us and a selling shareholder under certain
circumstances.

  Our common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"NANO". The last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq National
Market on February 28, 2000, was $36.50 per share.

                                   --------

  Investing in our common stock involves certain risks. See "Risk Factors"
beginning on page 6.

  Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if
this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is
a criminal offense.

                                   --------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Per Share Total
                                                        --------- ------
<S>                                                     <C>       <C>
Public Offering Price                                    $        $
Underwriting Discount                                    $        $
Proceeds to Nanometrics (before expenses)                $        $
Proceeds to the Selling Shareholders (before expenses)   $        $
</TABLE>

  The underwriters are offering the shares subject to various conditions. The
underwriters expect to deliver the shares to purchasers on or about           ,
2000.

                                   --------
Salomon Smith Barney

          Wit SoundView

                                Tucker Anthony Cleary Gull
                                                        Needham & Company, Inc.

        , 2000
<PAGE>

   You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with
different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any
state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the
information provided by this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than
the date on the front of this prospectus.

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

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----
<S>                                                                       <C>
Prospectus Summary.......................................................   3
Risk Factors.............................................................   6
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements........................  14
Use of Proceeds..........................................................  15
Price Range of Common Stock..............................................  15
Dividend Policy..........................................................  15
Capitalization...........................................................  16
Selected Consolidated Financial Data.....................................  17
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
 of Operations...........................................................  19
Business.................................................................  27
Management...............................................................  39
Principal and Selling Shareholders.......................................  41
Description of Capital Stock.............................................  43
Underwriting.............................................................  44
Legal Matters............................................................  46
Experts..................................................................  46
Available information....................................................  46
Incorporation of Information by Reference................................  46
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements............................... F-1
</TABLE>

   References in this prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference
in this prospectus, to "Nanometrics," "we," "our" and "us" refer to Nanometrics
Incorporated, a California corporation, and its subsidiaries. We maintain a
website at http://www.nanometrics.com. Information contained in our website
does not constitute part of this prospectus.

   Nanometrics Incorporated and the names of our systems are tradenames or
trademarks of Nanometrics. This prospectus also contains trademarks and
tradenames of other companies.
<PAGE>

                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

   You should read the following summary together with the more detailed
information regarding our company and the common stock being sold in this
offering, including "Risk Factors" and our consolidated financial statements
and notes to those statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and
incorporated by reference.

                            Nanometrics Incorporated

   We are a leader in the design, manufacture, marketing and support of thin
film metrology systems for the semiconductor, flat panel display and magnetic
recording head industries. Our systems precisely measure a wide range of film
types deposited on substrates during manufacturing in order to control
manufacturing processes and increase production yields. Our non-contact, non-
destructive thin film measurement systems use a broad spectrum of wavelengths,
high-sensitivity optics, proprietary software and patented technology to
measure the thickness and uniformity of films deposited on silicon and other
substrates as well as their chemical composition.

   We have been a pioneer in the field of thin film measurement and have been
instrumental in the development of many innovations for over two decades. We
have been selling metrology systems since 1977 and have an extensive installed
base with industry leading customers worldwide, including Applied Materials,
Hyundai, IBM, LG International, TSMC and WaferTech.

   Thin film metrology systems are used at many points during the manufacturing
process, including before and after deposition, chemical mechanical
planarization, or CMP, photolithography and etch. During thin film metrology, a
wafer surface is measured to determine the quality of the film or pattern and
find defects. Measurements are taken to ensure process uniformity and include
thickness, width, height, roughness and other characteristics. Several trends
are increasing the need for thin film metrology systems, including:

  . growing use of chemical mechanical planarization;

  . adoption on new types of thin films;

  . increasing complexity of semiconductors; and

  . need for rapid ramp of production efficiencies.

   We offer a complete line of systems to address the thin film metrology
requirements of our customers. Our metrology systems can be categorized as
follows:

  . Stand-alone, fully automated systems for measurements of thin films in
    high-volume manufacturing operations. We offer a broad line of fully
    automated thin film thickness measurement systems. These systems remove
    the dependence on human operators by incorporating reliable wafer
    handling robots and are designed to meet the speed, measurement,
    performance and reliability requirements of today's semiconductor, flat
    panel display and magnetic recording head manufacturing facilities. We
    believe we offer the only fully automated film thickness measurement
    systems that are able to determine the concentration of elements, or
    dopants, within a film. This is of significant importance, as many new
    films today require continuous monitoring of dopant levels and chemical
    composition. Our fully automated metrology product line also includes
    systems that are used to measure overlay registration accuracy of
    successive layers of semiconductor patterns on wafers in the
    photolithography process.

  . Integrated systems used to measure in-process wafers automatically and
    quickly without having to leave the enclosed wafer processing system. Our
    high-speed, integrated metrology systems are compact and monitor a
    multitude of small test points on the wafer using sophisticated pattern
    recognition. These systems can be attached to film deposition, CMP, etch
    and other process tools to provide rapid monitoring of films on each
    wafer immediately before or after processing. Our integrated systems
    offer customers significantly increased

                                       3
<PAGE>

    operating efficiency and equipment utilization, lower manufacturing costs
    and higher throughput. Similar to our automated metrology systems, our
    integrated systems can be configured to determine the concentration of
    dopants within a film. We believe we are the only supplier of integrated
    metrology systems with this capability. We are currently shipping
    integrated systems to Applied Materials for installation on their Mirra
    Mesa(TM) CMP system and Producer QA(TM) chemical vapor deposition, or
    CVD, system.

  . Tabletop systems used to manually or semiautomatically measure thin films
    in engineering and low-volume production environments. We pioneered and
    believe we are the leading supplier of tabletop thin film thickness
    measurement systems. Our tabletop models have unique capabilities and
    several available configurations, depending on wafer handling, range of
    films to be measured, uniformity mapping and other customer needs.

   Our strategy is to offer and support, on a worldwide basis, technologically
advanced metrology systems that meet the changing manufacturing requirements of
the semiconductor, flat panel display and magnetic recording head industries as
well as other industries that use metrology systems. Key elements of our
strategy include:

  . continuing to offer advanced integrated metrology systems;

  . maintaining technology leadership;

  . leveraging existing customer and industry relationships;

  . providing worldwide distribution and support;

  . providing a broad portfolio of metrology systems and technology; and

  . addressing multiple markets.

   Our principal manufacturing and administrative facility is located in
Sunnyvale, California, and we have wholly owned subsidiaries in Japan and Korea
for manufacturing, sales and service. We are incorporated under the laws of the
state of California. Our principal executive offices are located at 310
DeGuigne Drive, Sunnyvale, California 94086 and our telephone number is (408)
746-1600.

                                  The Offering

   The following information is based upon shares outstanding as of December
31, 1999. It excludes, as of December 31, 1999, 1,494,664 shares of common
stock subject to outstanding options at a weighted average exercise price of
$7.49 per share and 479,172 shares of common stock available for future grants
under our stock option and stock purchase plans.

<TABLE>
<S>                                      <C>
Common shares offered by Nanometrics.... 1,750,000 shares
Common shares offered by the selling
 shareholders........................... 1,750,000 shares
Common shares to be outstanding after
 the offering........................... 10,913,998 shares
Use of proceeds......................... We intend to use the proceeds of
                                         this offering for working capital and
                                         other general corporate purposes.
                                         See "Use of Proceeds."
Nasdaq National Market symbol........... NANO
</TABLE>

                                       4
<PAGE>

                      Summary Consolidated Financial Data
                     (In thousands, except per share data)

   The information under "As Adjusted" in the balance sheet data below reflect
the receipt of the estimated net proceeds from the sale of 1,750,000 shares of
common stock by us in this offering at an assumed public offering price of
$36.50 per share.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Years Ended December 31,
                                                -------------------------------
                                                 1996    1997    1998    1999
                                                ------- ------- ------- -------
<S>                                             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Statement of Operations Data:
Total net revenues............................. $30,336 $36,657 $33,264 $36,408
Gross profit...................................  16,139  20,933  16,593  17,242
Income from operations.........................   6,213   9,132   2,410   3,740
Net income.....................................   3,993   5,757   1,830   2,634
Net income per share:
  Basic........................................ $  0.50 $  0.69 $  0.21 $  0.30
  Diluted...................................... $  0.47 $  0.65 $  0.20 $  0.28
Shares used in per share computation:
  Basic........................................   8,047   8,325   8,635   8,829
  Diluted......................................   8,524   8,820   9,041   9,393
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Quarters Ended
                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    June             Dec.
                          Mar. 31,   30,   Sep. 30,   30,    Mar. 31, June 30, Sep. 30, Dec. 31,
                            1998    1998     1998    1998      1999     1999     1999     1999
                          -------- ------- -------- -------  -------- -------- -------- --------
<S>                       <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Total net revenues......  $10,538  $10,728  $7,005  $ 4,993   $6,189   $7,523   $9,821  $12,875
Gross profit............    5,924    5,732   3,357    1,580    2,533    3,522    4,669    6,518
Income (loss) from
 operations.............      915    2,446     491   (1,442)    (401)     395    1,321    2,425
Net income (loss).......      624    1,495     394     (683)    (201)     304      900    1,631
Net income (loss) per
 share
  Basic.................  $  0.07  $  0.17  $ 0.05  $ (0.08)  $(0.02)  $ 0.03   $ 0.10  $  0.18
  Diluted...............  $  0.07  $  0.17  $ 0.04  $ (0.08)  $(0.02)  $ 0.03   $ 0.10  $  0.17
Shares used in per share
 computation
  Basic.................    8,545    8,641   8,669    8,686    8,701    8,757    8,823    9,033
  Diluted...............    8,978    9,003   9,074    8,686    8,701    9,177    9,347    9,842
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  December 31,
                                                                      1999
                                                                ----------------
                                                                           As
                                                                Actual  Adjusted
                                                                ------- --------
<S>                                                             <C>     <C>
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.............. $18,140 $77,383
Working capital................................................  36,021  95,264
Total assets...................................................  46,410 105,653
Debt obligations, less current obligations.....................   2,288   2,288
Total shareholders' equity.....................................  38,155  97,398
</TABLE>

                                       5
<PAGE>

                                 RISK FACTORS

   You should carefully consider the risks described below together with all
of the other information included in or incorporated by reference into this
prospectus before making an investment decision. The risks and uncertainties
described below are not the only ones facing our company. If any of the
following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or
operating results could be harmed. In such case, the trading price of our
common stock could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Business

Cyclicality in the semiconductor, flat panel display and magnetic recording
head industries has led to substantial decreases in demand for our systems and
may from time to time continue to do so

   Our operating results have varied significantly due to the cyclical nature
of the semiconductor, flat panel display and magnetic recording head
industries. The majority of our business depends upon the capital expenditures
of semiconductor device and capital equipment manufacturers. These
manufacturers' capital expenditures, in turn, depend upon the current and
anticipated market demand for semiconductors and products using
semiconductors. The semiconductor industry is cyclical and has historically
experienced periodic downturns. These downturns have often resulted in
substantial decreases in the demand for capital equipment, including metrology
systems. We have found that the resulting decrease in capital expenditures has
typically been more pronounced than the precipitating downturn in
semiconductor device industry revenues. We expect the cyclical nature of the
semiconductor industry, and therefore, our business, to continue. Any future
downturn in the semiconductor industry will likely seriously harm our
business.

We are highly dependent on international sales and operations, which exposes
us to foreign political and economic risks

   Sales to customers in foreign countries accounted for approximately 61.8%
and 60.9% of our total net revenues in 1998 and 1999, respectively. We
maintain facilities in Japan and Korea. We anticipate that international sales
will continue to account for a significant portion of our revenues.

   Our reliance on international sales and operations exposes us to foreign
political and economic risks, including:

  . political, social and economic instability;

  . trade restrictions and changes in tariffs;

  . import and export license requirements and restrictions;

  . difficulties in staffing and managing international operations;

  . disruptions in international transport or delivery;

  . fluctuations in currency exchange rates;

  . difficulties in collecting receivables; and

  . potentially adverse tax consequences.

   If any of these risks materialize, our international sales could decrease
and our foreign operations could suffer.

Because we derive a significant portion of our revenues from sales in Asia,
our sales and results of operations could be adversely affected by the
instability of Asian economies

   Our sales to customers in Asian markets represented approximately 45.6% and
53.7% of our total net revenues in 1998 and 1999, respectively. Countries in
the Asia Pacific region, including Japan, Korea and Taiwan, each of which
accounted for a significant portion of our business in that region, have
experienced general economic weaknesses over the last several years. These
weaknesses began to adversely affect our sales

                                       6
<PAGE>

to semiconductor manufacturers located in these regions in the third and fourth
quarters of 1998 and continued through the first half of 1999. Although we have
recently received increased orders from customers in the Asia Pacific region,
any further instability in the Asian markets could harm our sales in future
periods.

Our largest customers account for a significant portion of our revenues, and
our revenues would significantly decline if one or more of these customers were
to purchase significantly fewer of our systems or if they delayed or cancelled
a large order

   Historically, a significant portion of our revenues in each quarter and year
has been derived from sales to relatively few customers, and we expect this
trend to continue. If any of our key customers were to purchase significantly
fewer systems, or if a large order were delayed or cancelled, our revenues
would significantly decline. In 1999, revenue from our ten largest customers
accounted for approximately 59.5% of our total net revenues. In 1998, sales to
International Business Machines Corp. accounted for 11.2% of our total net
revenues. In 1999, sales to Applied Materials and TSMC represented 12.8% and
10.5% of our total net revenues, respectively. There are only a limited number
of large companies operating in the semiconductor, flat panel display and
magnetic recording head industries. Accordingly, we expect that we will
continue to depend on a small number of large customers for a significant
portion of our revenues for at least the next several years. In addition, as
large semiconductor, flat panel display and magnetic recording head
manufacturers and suppliers seek to establish closer relationships with their
suppliers, we expect that our customer base will become even more concentrated.

   The success of our product development efforts depends on our ability to
anticipate market trends and the price, performance and functionality
requirements of semiconductor device manufacturers. In order to anticipate
these trends and ensure that critical development projects proceed in a
coordinated manner, we must continue to collaborate closely with our customers.
Our relationships with our customers provide us with access to valuable
information regarding industry trends, which enables us to better plan our
product development activities. If our current relationships with our large
customers are impaired, or if we are unable to develop similar collaborative
relationships with important customers in the future, our long-term ability to
produce commercially successful systems will be impaired.

We depend on Applied Materials for sales of our integrated metrology systems,
and the loss of Applied Materials as a customer could harm our business

   We believe that sales of integrated metrology systems will be an important
source of future revenues. We have entered into an agreement with Applied
Materials to supply metrology systems for Applied Materials' CMP systems,
including the Mirra Mesa(TM) CMP system. This agreement restricts us from
supplying integrated film thickness systems for use in CMP applications to any
company other than Applied Materials. This agreement is not a long-term
contract and is terminable under various circumstances within a short period of
time. Sales of our integrated metrology systems depend upon Applied Materials
selling semiconductor equipment products that include our metrology systems as
components. If Applied Materials is unable to sell such products, or if Applied
Materials chooses to focus its attention on products that do not integrate our
systems, our business could suffer. We may be unable to retain Applied
Materials as a customer. If we lose Applied Materials as a customer for any
reason, our ability to realize sales from integrated metrology systems would be
significantly diminished, which would harm our business.

Our quarterly operating results have varied in the past and probably will
continue to vary significantly in the future, which will cause volatility in
our stock price

   Our quarterly operating results have varied significantly in the past and
are likely to vary in the future, which could cause our stock price to decline.
Some of the factors that may influence our operating results and subject our
stock to extreme price and volume fluctuations include:

  . changes in customer demand for our systems;

  . economic conditions in the semiconductor, flat panel display and magnetic
    recording head industries;

                                       7
<PAGE>

  . the timing, cancellation or delay of customer orders and shipments;

  . market acceptance of our products and our customers' products;

  . competitive pressures on product prices and changes in pricing by our
    customers or suppliers;

  . the timing of new product announcements and product releases by us or our
    competitors and our ability to design, introduce and manufacture new
    products on a timely and cost-effective basis;

  . the timing of acquisitions of businesses, products or technologies;

  . the levels of our fixed expenses, including research and development
    costs associated with product development, relative to our revenue
    levels; and

  . fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, particularly the
    Japanese yen.

   Due to the foregoing factors and other factors described in this "Risk
Factors" section, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our
operating results are not necessarily meaningful, and you should not view
these operating results as indicators of our future performance. If our
operating results in any period fall below the expectations of securities
analysts and investors, the market price of our common stock would likely
decline.

We obtain some of the components and subassemblies included in our systems
from a single source or a limited group of suppliers, and the partial or
complete loss of one of these suppliers could cause production delays and a
substantial loss of revenue

   We rely on outside vendors to manufacture many components and
subassemblies. Certain components, subassemblies and services necessary for
the manufacture of our systems are obtained from a sole supplier or limited
group of suppliers. We do not maintain any long-term supply agreements with
any of our suppliers. We have entered into arrangements with J.A. Woollam
Company for the purchase of the spectroscopic ellipsometer component, Midac
Corporation for the purchase of the FTIR spectrometer component, and
Kensington Laboratories for the robotics incorporated in our advanced
measurement systems. Our reliance on a sole or a limited group of suppliers
involves several risks, including the following:

  . we may be unable to obtain an adequate supply of required components;

  . we have reduced control over pricing and the timely delivery of
    components and subassemblies; and

  . our suppliers may be unable to develop technologically advanced products
    to support our growth and development of new systems.

   Because the manufacturing of certain of these components and subassemblies
involves extremely complex processes and requires long lead times, we may
experience delays or shortages caused by suppliers. We believe that
alternative sources could be obtained and qualified, if necessary, for most
sole and limited source parts. However, if we were forced to seek alternative
sources of supply or to manufacture such components or subassemblies
internally, we may be forced to redesign our systems, which could prevent us
from shipping our systems to customers on a timely basis. Some of our
suppliers have relatively limited financial and other resources. Any inability
to obtain adequate deliveries, or any other circumstance that would restrict
our ability to ship our products, could damage relationships with current and
prospective customers and could harm our business.

Our current and potential competitors have significantly greater resources
than we do, and increased competition could impair sales of our products

   We operate in the highly competitive semiconductor, flat panel display and
magnetic recording head industries and face competition from a number of
companies, many of which have greater financial, engineering, manufacturing,
marketing and customer support resources than we do. As a result, our
competitors

                                       8
<PAGE>

may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies or market
developments by devoting greater resources to the development, promotion and
sale of products, which could impair sales of our products. Moreover, there has
been significant merger and acquisition activity among our competitors and
potential competitors. These transactions by our competitors and potential
competitors may provide them with a competitive advantage over us by enabling
them to rapidly expand their product offerings and service capabilities to meet
a broader range of customer needs. Many of our customers and potential
customers in the semiconductor, flat panel display and magnetic recording head
industries are large companies that require global support and service for
their metrology systems.

Variations in the amount of time it takes for us to sell our systems may cause
fluctuations in our operating results, which could cause our stock price to
decline

   Variations in the length of our sales cycles could cause our revenues to
fluctuate widely from period to period. Our customers generally take a long
time to evaluate our metrology systems. We expend significant resources
educating and providing information to our prospective customers regarding the
uses and benefits of our systems. The length of time it takes for us to make a
sale depends upon many factors, including:

  . the efforts of our sales force and our independent sales representatives
    and distributors;

  . the complexity of the customer's metrology needs;

  . the internal technical capabilities and sophistication of the customer;

  . the customer's budgetary constraints; and

  . the quality and sophistication of the customer's current processing
    equipment.

   Because of the number of factors influencing the sales process, the period
between our initial contact with a customer and the time when we recognize
revenue from that customer, if ever, varies widely. Our sales cycles, including
the time it takes for us to build a product to customer specifications after
receiving an order, typically range from three to six months. Sometimes our
sales cycles can be much longer, particularly with customers in Asia. During
these cycles, we commit substantial resources to our sales efforts in advance
of receiving any revenue, and we may never receive any revenue from a customer
despite our sales efforts.

   If we do make a sale, our customers often purchase only one of our systems,
and then evaluate its performance for a lengthy period of time before
purchasing additional systems. The purchases are generally made by purchase
orders and not long-term contracts. The number of additional products a
customer purchases, if any, depends on many factors, including a customer's
capacity requirements. The period between a customer's initial purchase and any
subsequent purchases can vary from three months to a year or longer, and
variations in the length of this period could cause fluctuations in our
operating results and stock price.

Relatively small fluctuations in our system costs may cause our operating
results to vary significantly each quarter

   During any quarter, a significant portion of our revenue is derived from the
sale of a relatively small number of systems. Our automated metrology systems
range in price from approximately $200,000 to $700,000 per system, our
integrated metrology systems range in price from approximately $90,000 to
$295,000 per system and our tabletop metrology systems range in price from
approximately $50,000 to $200,000 per system. Accordingly, a small change in
the number of systems we sell will cause significant changes in our operating
results.

We depend on orders that are received and shipped in the same quarter and
therefore have limited visibility of future product shipments

   Our net sales in any given quarter depend upon a combination of orders
received in that quarter for shipment in that quarter and shipments from
backlog. Our backlog at the beginning of each quarter does not

                                       9
<PAGE>

include all systems sales needed to achieve expected revenues for that quarter.
Consequently, we are dependent on obtaining orders for systems to be shipped in
the same quarter that the order is received. Moreover, customers may reschedule
shipments, and production difficulties could delay shipments. Accordingly, we
have limited visibility of future product shipments, and our results of
operations are subject to significant variability from quarter to quarter.

Because of the high cost of switching equipment vendors in our markets, it is
sometimes difficult for us to win customers from our competitors even if our
metrology systems are superior to theirs

   We believe that once a semiconductor, flat panel display or magnetic
recording head customer has selected one vendor's metrology system, the
customer generally relies upon that system and, to the extent possible,
subsequent generations of the same vendor's system, for the life of the
application. Once a vendor's metrology system has been installed, a customer
must often make substantial technical modifications and may experience downtime
in order to switch to another vendor's metrology system. Accordingly, unless
our systems offer performance or cost advantages that outweigh a customer's
expense of switching to our systems, it will be difficult for us to achieve
significant sales to that customer once it has selected another vendor's system
for an application.

If we deliver systems with defects, our credibility will be harmed and the
sales and market acceptance of our systems will decrease

   Our systems are complex and sometimes have contained errors, defects and
bugs when introduced. If we deliver systems with errors, defects or bugs, our
credibility and the market acceptance and sales of our systems would be harmed.
Further, if our systems contain errors, defects or bugs, we may be required to
expend significant capital and resources to alleviate such problems. Defects
could also lead to product liability as a result of product liability lawsuits
against us or against our customers. We have agreed to indemnify our customers
in some circumstances against liability arising from defects in our systems. In
the event of a successful product liability claim, we could be obligated to pay
damages significantly in excess of our product liability insurance limits.

If we are not successful in developing new and enhanced metrology systems we
will likely lose market share to our competitors

   We operate in an industry that is subject to technological changes, changes
in customer demands and the introduction of new, higher performance systems
with short product life cycles. To be competitive, we must continually design,
develop and introduce in a timely manner new metrology systems that meet the
performance and price demands of semiconductor, flat panel display and magnetic
recording head manufacturers and suppliers. We must also continue to refine our
current systems so that they remain competitive. We may experience difficulties
or delays in our development efforts with respect to new systems, and we may
not ultimately be successful in developing them. Any significant delay in
releasing new systems could adversely affect our reputation, give a competitor
a first-to-market advantage or cause a competitor to achieve greater market
share.

Successful infringement claims by third parties could result in substantial
damages, lost product sales and the loss of important intellectual property
rights by us

   Our commercial success depends in part on our ability to avoid infringing or
misappropriating patents or other proprietary rights owned by third parties.
From time to time we have received communications from third parties asserting
that our products infringe, or may infringe, the proprietary rights of these
third parties. We are presently discussing patent issues with Therma-Wave, Inc.
We believe that Therma-Wave's Opti-Probe product line may infringe on a patent
issued to us relating to absolute reflectance measurement. Therma-Wave alleges
that some of our thin film thickness measurement products may infringe on a
Therma-Wave patent relating to the

                                       10
<PAGE>

combination of a spectroscopic reflectometer with a spectroscopic ellipsometer.
Although we believe that none of our products infringe on a valid Therma-Wave
patent, if this matter is resolved against us, our business could be harmed.
Additionally, some customers of ours have received notices from The Lemelson
Medical, Education, & Research Foundation, a limited partnership, alleging that
equipment used in the manufacture of semiconductor products infringes on their
patents. A number of these customers have notified us that they are seeking
indemnification from us for any damages and expenses resulting from this
matter. Certain of our customers have engaged in litigation with the late Mr.
Lemelson involving a number of his patents and some of these cases have been
settled. Although the ultimate outcome of these matters is not presently
determinable, the resolution of all such pending matters could harm our
business. These claims of infringement may lead to protracted and costly
litigation that could require us to pay substantial damages or have the sale of
our products stopped by an injunction. Infringement claims could also cause
product delays or require us to redesign our products, and these delays could
result in the loss of substantial revenues. We may also be required to obtain a
license from the third party or cease activities utilizing the third party's
proprietary rights. We may not be able to enter into such a license or such
license may not be available on commercially reasonable terms. The loss of an
infringement action or the inability to license a third party's intellectual
property could therefore prevent our ability to sell our products, or require
us to redesign our products making the sale of such products more expensive for
us. We may be required to initiate litigation in order to enforce any patents
issued to or licensed by us, or to determine the scope or validity of a third
party's patent or other proprietary rights. Any such litigation, regardless of
outcome, could be expensive and time consuming, and could subject us to
significant liabilities or require us to re-engineer our product or obtain
expensive licenses from third parties.

If we fail to adequately protect our intellectual property, it will be easier
for our competitors to sell competing products

   Our future success and competitive position depend in part upon our ability
to obtain and maintain proprietary technology for our principal product
families, and we rely, in part, on patent, trade secret and trademark law to
protect that technology. If we fail to adequately protect our intellectual
property, it will be easier for our competitors to sell competing products. We
own or have licensed a number of patents relating to our metrology systems, and
have filed applications for additional patents. Any of our pending patent
applications may be rejected, and we may not in the future be able to develop
additional proprietary technology that is patentable. In addition, the patents
we do own or that have been issued or licensed to us may not provide us with
competitive advantages and may be challenged by third parties. Third parties
may also design around these patents.

   In addition to patent protection, we rely upon trade secret protection for
our confidential and proprietary information and technology. We routinely enter
into confidentiality agreements with our employees. However, in the event that
these agreements may be breached, we may not have adequate remedies. Our
confidential and proprietary information and technology might also be
independently developed by or become otherwise known to third parties.

We must expend a significant amount of time and resources to develop new
products, and if these products do not achieve commercial acceptance, our
operating results may suffer

   We expect to spend a significant amount of time and resources to develop new
systems and refine existing systems. In light of the long product development
cycles inherent in our industry, these expenditures will be made well in
advance of the prospect of deriving revenue from the sale of new systems. Our
ability to commercially introduce and successfully market new systems is
subject to a wide variety of challenges during this development cycle that
could delay introduction of these systems. In addition, since our customers are
not obligated by long-term contracts to purchase our systems, our anticipated
product orders may not materialize, or orders that do materialize may be
cancelled. As a result, if we do not achieve market acceptance of new products,
our operating results will suffer.

                                       11
<PAGE>

We must attract and retain key personnel with relevant industry knowledge to
help support our future growth, and competition for such personnel in our
industry is intense

   Our success depends to a significant degree upon the continued contributions
of our key management, engineering, sales and marketing, customer support,
finance and manufacturing personnel. We do not enter into employment contracts
with any of our key personnel. The loss of any of these key personnel, who
would be extremely difficult to replace, could harm our business and operating
results. To support our future growth, we will need to attract and retain
additional qualified employees. Competition for such personnel in our industry
is intense, and we may not be successful in attracting and retaining qualified
employees.

We manufacture all of our systems at a limited number of facilities, and any
prolonged disruption in the operations of those facilities could reduce our
revenues

   We produce all of our systems in our manufacturing facilities located in
Sunnyvale, California and through our subsidiaries in Japan and Korea. Our
manufacturing processes are highly complex and require sophisticated, costly
equipment and specially designed facilities. As a result, any prolonged
disruption in the operations of our manufacturing facilities could seriously
harm our ability to satisfy our customer order deadlines. If we cannot deliver
our systems in a timely manner, our revenues will likely suffer.

If we choose to acquire new and complementary businesses, products or
technologies instead of developing them ourselves, we may be unable to complete
these acquisitions or may not be able to successfully integrate an acquired
business in a cost-effective and non-disruptive manner

   Our success depends on our ability to continually enhance and broaden our
product offerings in response to changing technologies, customer demands and
competitive pressures. To this end, from time to time we have acquired
complementary businesses, products, or technologies instead of developing them
ourselves and may choose to do so in the future. We do not know if we will be
able to complete any acquisitions, or whether we will be able to successfully
integrate any acquired business, operate it profitably or retain its key
employees. Integrating any business, product or technology we acquire could be
expensive and time consuming, disrupt our ongoing business and distract our
management. In addition, in order to finance any acquisitions, we might need to
raise additional funds through public or private equity or debt financings. In
that event, we could be forced to obtain financing on terms that are not
favorable to us and, in the case of equity financing, that result in dilution
to our shareholders. If we are unable to integrate any acquired entities,
products or technologies effectively, our business will suffer. In addition,
any amortization of goodwill or other assets or charges resulting from the
costs of acquisitions could harm our business and operating results.

Our efforts to protect our intellectual property may be less effective in some
foreign countries where intellectual property rights are not as well protected
as in the United States

   In 1998 and 1999, 61.8% and 60.9%, respectively, of our total net revenues
were derived from sales to customers in foreign countries, including certain
countries in Asia, such as Taiwan, Korea and Japan. The laws of some foreign
countries do not protect our proprietary rights to as great an extent as do the
laws of the United States, and many U.S. companies have encountered substantial
problems in protecting their proprietary rights against infringement in such
countries. For example, Taiwan is not a signatory of the Patent Cooperation
Treaty, which is designed to specify rules and methods for defending
intellectual property internationally. The publication of a patent in Taiwan
prior to the filing of a patent in Taiwan would invalidate the ability of a
company to obtain a patent in Taiwan. Similarly, in contrast to the United
States, where the contents of patents remain confidential during the patent
prosecution process, the contents of a patent are published upon filing, which
provides competitors an advanced view of the contents of a patent application
prior to the establishment of patent rights. If we fail to adequately protect
our intellectual property in these countries, it would be easier for our
competitors to sell competing products in those countries.


                                       12
<PAGE>

Risks Relating to this Offering

Our stock price is volatile and our stock is thinly traded, which could cause
investors to lose a substantial part of their investments in our stock

   The stock market in general, and the stock prices of technology companies in
particular, have recently experienced volatility which has often been unrelated
to the operating performance of any particular company or companies. In 1999,
our stock price reached a high of $24.38 and a low of $5.38. Our stock price
could decline regardless of our actual operating performance and investors
could lose a substantial part of their investments as a result of industry or
market-based fluctuations. In addition, our stock has traditionally traded
thinly. If an active public market for our stock does not develop, or if such a
market is not sustained after this offering, it may be difficult to resell our
stock.

   The market price of our common stock will likely fluctuate in response to a
number of factors including the following:

  . our failure to meet the performance estimates of securities analysts;

  . changes in financial estimates of our revenues and operating results or
    buy/sell recommendations by securities analysts;

  . the timing of announcements by us or our competitors of significant
    products, contracts or acquisitions; and

  . general stock market conditions.

One shareholder will continue to have significant influence over our business
after this offering, and could delay, deter or prevent a change of control or
other business combination

   Upon completion of this offering, Vincent J. Coates will beneficially own
approximately 33.3% of our outstanding stock, or 30.2% if the underwriters'
option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full. Mr. Coates is also
our Chairman of the Board of Directors. The interests of this shareholder may
not always coincide with our interests or those of our other shareholders. By
virtue of his stock ownership and board representation, this shareholder will
continue to have a significant influence over all matters submitted to our
board and our shareholders, and will be able to exercise significant control
over our business, policies and affairs. Through the concentration of voting
power, the shareholder could cause us to take actions that we would not
consider absent his influence, or could delay, deter or prevent a change of
control of our company or other business combination that might otherwise be
beneficial to our public shareholders.

Shares eligible for future sale may negatively affect our stock price

   If our shareholders sell substantial amounts of common stock (including
shares issued upon the exercise of options) in the public market following this
offering, the market price of our common stock could fall. The perception that
such sales may occur could cause the market price of our common stock to fall
on or before the date those shares are first eligible for sale. Such sales also
might make it more difficult for us to sell securities in the future at a time
and price that we deem appropriate. Upon completion of this offering, we have
outstanding approximately 10,913,998 shares of common stock (based upon shares
outstanding as of December 31, 1999), assuming no exercise of the underwriters'
over-allotment option and no exercise of outstanding options after December 31,
1999. Of these shares, all of the 3,500,000 shares sold in this offering and
approximately 1,666,512 additional shares will be freely tradeable.
Additionally, approximately 5,747,486 shares will be eligible for sale in the
public market 90 days after the date of this prospectus upon expiration of
lock-up agreements with the underwriters.

                                       13
<PAGE>

               SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   We have made forward-looking statements in this prospectus and in the
documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, all of which
are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include
information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations.
Also, when we use words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate" or similar
expressions, we are making forward-looking statements. You should note that an
investment in our common stock involves certain risks and uncertainties that
could affect our future financial results. Our actual results could differ
materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a
result of certain factors, including those set forth in "Risk Factors" and
elsewhere in this prospectus.

   We believe it is important to communicate our expectations to our investors.
However, there may be events in the future that we are not able to predict
accurately or over which we have no control. The risk factors described in the
preceding pages, as well as any cautionary language in this prospectus, provide
examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results
to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our forward-looking
statements. Before you invest in our common stock, you should be aware that the
occurrence of the events described in these risk factors and elsewhere in this
prospectus could materially and adversely affect our business, operating
results and financial condition.

                                       14
<PAGE>

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

   The net proceeds we will receive from the sale of 1,750,000 shares of our
common stock in this offering are estimated to be $59.2 million, or $68.2
million if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full, based
on an assumed public offering price of $36.50 per share and after deducting the
estimated underwriting discount and offering expenses we will pay.

   We expect to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and
other general corporate purposes. In addition, we may use a portion of the net
proceeds to acquire complementary products, technologies or businesses or make
strategic investments. However, we have no commitments or agreements for any
acquisitions or investments. Pending the uses described above, we intend to
invest the net proceeds in interest-bearing, investment-grade securities. We
will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares being sold by the
selling shareholders.

                          PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

   Our common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"NANO". The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and
low sale prices per share of our common stock as reported on the Nasdaq
National Market. These quotations represent prices between dealers and do not
include retail markups, markdowns or commissions and may not necessarily
represent actual transactions.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   High   Low
                                                                  ------ ------
<S>                                                               <C>    <C>
1998
  First Quarter.................................................. $10.75 $ 7.81
  Second Quarter................................................. $10.13 $ 7.85
  Third Quarter.................................................. $ 9.25 $ 3.78
  Fourth Quarter................................................. $ 8.88 $ 4.31
1999
  First Quarter.................................................. $ 9.88 $ 5.38
  Second Quarter................................................. $ 9.63 $ 5.50
  Third Quarter.................................................. $10.75 $ 6.50
  Fourth Quarter................................................. $24.38 $ 8.88
2000
  First Quarter (through February 28, 2000)...................... $52.13 $18.13
</TABLE>

   On February 28, 2000, the last reported sale price of our common stock on
the Nasdaq National Market was $36.50 per share. As of December 31, 1999, there
were approximately 120 shareholders of record of our common stock.

                                DIVIDEND POLICY

   We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock. We
currently expect to retain future earnings, if any, for the use in the
operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash
dividends in the foreseeable future.

                                       15
<PAGE>

                                 CAPITALIZATION

   The following table sets forth our capitalization as of December 31, 1999
(1) on an actual basis and (2) on an as adjusted basis to give effect to our
sale and issuance of 1,750,000 shares of common stock in this offering at an
assumed public offering price of $36.50 per share having estimated net proceeds
of $59.2 million.

   The following information is based upon shares outstanding as of December
31, 1999. It excludes, as of December 31, 1999, 1,494,664 shares of common
stock subject to outstanding options at a weighted average exercise price of
$7.49 per share and 479,172 shares of common stock available for future grant
under our stock option and stock purchase plans.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 December 31,
                                                                     1999
                                                               ----------------
                                                                          As
                                                               Actual  Adjusted
                                                               ------- --------
                                                                (In thousands)
<S>                                                            <C>     <C>
Debt obligations, less current portion........................ $ 2,288 $ 2,288
                                                               ------- -------
Shareholders' equity:
  Common stock; no par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized;
   shares issued and outstanding: 9,163,998 actual and
   10,913,998 as adjusted.....................................  17,277  76,520
Retained earnings.............................................  20,608  20,608
Accumulated other comprehensive income........................     270     270
                                                               ------- -------
    Total shareholders' equity................................  38,155  97,398
                                                               ------- -------
    Total capitalization...................................... $40,443 $99,686
                                                               ======= =======
</TABLE>

                                       16
<PAGE>

                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

   The selected consolidated financial data set forth below should be read in
conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" and the consolidated financial statements and
related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus or incorporated herein by
reference. The consolidated statement of operations data set forth below for
the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, and the consolidated
balance sheet data as of December 31, 1998 and 1999, have been derived from our
consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus, and
have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors. The
consolidated statement of operations data set forth below for the fiscal years
ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the consolidated balance sheet data as of
December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, have been derived from our consolidated
financial statements not included in this prospectus, and have been audited by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors. The historical results are not
necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any future period.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          Years Ended December 31,
                                   -------------------------------------------
                                    1995     1996     1997     1998     1999
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
                                    (In thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Consolidated Statement of
 Operations Data:
Net revenues:
 Product sales.................... $18,117  $24,603  $32,767  $29,718  $32,162
 Service..........................   4,642    5,733    3,890    3,546    4,246
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
   Total net revenues.............  22,759   30,336   36,657   33,264   36,408
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Costs and expenses:
 Cost of product sales............   8,189   10,109   12,092   13,002   14,606
 Cost of service..................   3,406    4,088    3,632    3,669    4,560
 Research and development.........   2,631    2,754    2,986    4,206    4,658
 Acquired in-process research and
  development.....................     --       --       --     1,421      --
 Selling..........................   3,712    4,696    6,050    5,728    5,871
 General and administrative.......   2,180    2,476    2,765    2,828    2,973
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
   Total costs and expenses.......  20,118   24,123   27,525   30,854   32,668
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------

Income from operations............   2,641    6,213    9,132    2,410    3,740
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Other income (expense):
 Interest income..................     302      390      535      572      662
 Interest expense.................    (152)     (92)    (110)    (108)    (180)
 Other, net.......................     674      146     (175)      64       94
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
   Total other income, net........     824      444      250      528      576
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Income before income taxes........   3,465    6,657    9,382    2,938    4,316
Provision (benefit) for income
 taxes............................    (812)   2,664    3,625    1,108    1,682
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Net income........................ $ 4,277  $ 3,993  $ 5,757  $ 1,830  $ 2,634
                                   =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
Net income per share:
 Basic............................ $  0.56  $  0.50  $  0.69  $  0.21  $  0.30
                                   =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
 Diluted.......................... $  0.52  $  0.47  $  0.65  $  0.20  $  0.28
                                   =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
Shares used in per share
 computation:
 Basic............................   7,604    8,047    8,325    8,635    8,829
                                   =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
 Diluted..........................   8,280    8,524    8,820    9,041    9,393
                                   =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
</TABLE>

                                       17
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    December 31,
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                        1995    1996    1997    1998    1999
                                       ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
                                                   (In thousands)
<S>                                    <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term
 investments.......................... $ 8,083 $ 8,382 $13,251 $11,431 $18,140
Working capital.......................  18,338  22,613  28,653  30,621  36,021
Total assets..........................  25,167  29,964  36,243  39,305  46,410
Debt obligations, less current
 portion..............................   3,528   3,296   2,568   2,496   2,288
Total shareholders' equity............  17,574  22,060  28,528  32,010  38,155
</TABLE>

                                       18
<PAGE>

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

   The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated
financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this
prospectus. Our discussion contains forward-looking statements based upon
current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, such as our plans,
objectives and intentions. Our actual results may differ materially from those
predicted in such forward-looking statements. See "Special Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements."

Overview

   We are a leader in the design, manufacture, marketing and support of thin
film metrology systems for the semiconductor, flat panel display and magnetic
recording head industries. We have made several strategic changes in our
business over the past two years that have positioned us to further
participate in these markets. These changes include:

 . becoming an original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, of metrology systems
   that are integrated into various types of semiconductor processing
   equipment;

 . the development of new products that can be used for 300 millimeter wafers
   and chemical mechanical planarization;

 . an increased emphasis on product development, manufacturing and direct
   sales in Japan and Korea;

 . a shift to direct sales from third-party representatives in Asia and the
   United States;

 . a decision to outsource certain system components such as robotics,
   enabling us to leverage our technical resources;

 . the acquisition of an overlay registration product line from Optical
   Specialties, Inc. in March 1998 (see "Acquisition" for more information on
   the product line acquisition); and

 . the acquisition of inspection and metrology technology from Phase Metrics
   in December 1999.

   Our business is dependent upon the capital expenditures of manufacturers of
semiconductors, flat panel displays and magnetic recording heads and their
suppliers. The demand by these manufacturers and suppliers for our products
is, in turn, dependent on the current and future market demand for
semiconductors and products utilizing semiconductors, disk drives and
computers that utilize disk drives and flat panel displays for use in laptop
computers, pagers, cell phones and a variety of other applications. The
increasing complexity of the manufacturing processes for semiconductors, flat
panel displays and magnetic recording heads is also an important factor in the
demand for our metrology systems.

   We derive our revenues from product sales and services, which include sales
of accessories and service to the installed base of products. For the year
ended December 31, 1999, we derived 88.3% of our total net revenues from
product sales and 11.7% of our total net revenues from services. Revenues from
product sales and replacement and spare parts are recognized at the time of
shipment. Revenues from service work are recognized when performed. See note 1
of the notes to consolidated financial statements for more information on our
revenue recognition policy.

                                      19
<PAGE>

Results of Operations

   The following table presents our consolidated statements of operations data
as a percentage of total net revenues for the years ended December 31, 1997,
1998 and 1999:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Years Ended December 31,
                                                   ----------------------------
                                                     1997      1998      1999
                                                   --------  --------  --------
<S>                                                <C>       <C>       <C>
Net revenues:
  Product sales...................................     89.4%     89.3%     88.3%
  Service.........................................     10.6      10.7      11.7
                                                   --------  --------  --------
    Total net revenues............................    100.0     100.0     100.0
                                                   --------  --------  --------
Cost and expenses:
  Cost of product sales...........................     33.0      39.1      40.1
  Cost of service.................................      9.9      11.0      12.5
  Research and development........................      8.1      12.7      12.8
  Acquired in-process research and development....       --       4.3        --
  Selling.........................................     16.5      17.2      16.1
  General and administrative......................      7.6       8.5       8.2
                                                   --------  --------  --------
    Total cost and expenses.......................     75.1      92.8      89.7
                                                   --------  --------  --------
Income from operations............................     24.9       7.2      10.3
                                                   --------  --------  --------
Other income (expense):
  Interest income.................................      1.5       1.7       1.8
  Interest expense................................     (0.3)     (0.3)     (0.5)
  Other, net......................................     (0.5)      0.2       0.3
                                                   --------  --------  --------
    Total other income, net.......................      0.7       1.6       1.6
                                                   --------  --------  --------
Income before income taxes........................     25.6       8.8      11.9
Provision for income taxes........................      9.9       3.3       4.7
                                                   --------  --------  --------
Net income........................................     15.7%      5.5%      7.2%
                                                   ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>

 Years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999

   Total net revenues. Total net revenues increased 9.5% from $33.3 million in
1998 to $36.4 million in 1999. Product sales increased 8.2% from $29.7 million
in 1998 to $32.2 million in 1999. The increase in product sales resulted from
stronger demand for and increased shipments of our products, especially in the
U.S. and Asia. Service revenue increased 19.7% from $3.5 million in 1998 to
$4.2 million in 1999. The increase in service revenue is primarily attributable
to higher sales of parts, services and accessories in Asia and the U.S. in 1999
due in part to the recovery in the semiconductor market. Total net revenues
decreased 9.3% from $36.7 million in 1997 to $33.3 million in 1998. Product
sales decreased 9.3% from $32.8 million in 1997 to $29.7 million in 1998. The
decrease in product sales resulted from slower worldwide demand for and
decreased shipments of our products, especially in the U.S. and in Asia.
Service revenue decreased 8.8% from $3.9 million in 1997 to $3.5 million in
1998. The decrease in service revenue is primarily attributable to lower sales
of parts, services and accessories in Asia and the U.S. in 1998 due in part to
increased functionality and reliability of our newer products. International
revenues, which includes sales by our foreign subsidiaries, constituted
approximately 60.9%, 61.8% and 60.3% of total net revenues for 1999, 1998 and
1997, respectively. In 1998, we experienced a 12.7% decrease in domestic
revenues from $14.5 million in 1997 to $12.7 million in 1998, while
international revenues decreased 7.1% from $22.1 million in 1997 to $20.6
million in 1998.

                                       20
<PAGE>


   Cost of product sales. Cost of product sales as a percentage of product
sales increased from 43.8% in 1998 to 45.4% in 1999 primarily as a result of
lower volume purchasing resulting in fewer purchasing discounts for materials
early in 1999. Cost of product sales as a percentage of product sales increased
from 36.9% in 1997 to 43.8% in 1998 primarily because of lower sales volumes in
1998 resulting in higher per unit manufacturing costs.

   Cost of service. Cost of service as a percentage of service revenue
increased from 103.5% in 1998 to 107.4% in 1999 primarily as a result of
increased fixed service costs to support our growing installed based of systems
at customer locations in 1999. Cost of service as a percentage of service
revenue increased from 93.4% in 1997 to 103.5% in 1998. This increase was
primarily attributable to the decline in the sales of accessories and parts
while fixed service costs increased slightly to support our growing installed
base of systems at customer locations in 1998.

   Research and development. Research and development expenses increased 10.7%
from $4.2 million in 1998 to $4.7 million in 1999 as a result of additional
headcount and a purchase of technology from Phase Metrics in the fourth quarter
of 1999. Research and development expenses increased 40.9% from $3.0 million in
1997 to $4.2 million in 1998 due to the development of our new Metra overlay
registration product line and our new NanoSpec 9000 integrated film thickness
metrology product line. We are committed to the development of new and enhanced
products and believe that new product introductions are required for us to
maintain our competitive position. During 1999, research and development
expenses represented 12.8% of total net revenues, compared to 12.7% in 1998 and
8.1% in 1997.

   Acquired in-process research and development. In the first quarter of 1998,
we paid approximately $3.2 million for the assets and technology related to the
Metra product line from Optical Specialties. Of this purchase price, $1.4
million related to the value of in-process research and development that had no
alternative future use and was charged to expense during the year ended
December 31, 1998. Our increase in research and development expenses discussed
above is primarily attributable to efforts to bring the acquired in-process
technology to completion. See "Acquisition" for further discussion.

   Selling. Selling expenses increased 2.5% from $5.7 million in 1998 to $5.9
million in 1999 primarily because of higher sales in 1999. Selling expenses
decreased 5.3% from $6.1 million in 1997 to $5.7 million in 1998 primarily due
to lower commission expenses and other expenses associated with lower sales
levels in 1998. In 1999 selling expenses represented 16.1% of total net
revenues, compared to 17.2% in 1998 and 16.5% in 1997.

   General and administrative. General and administrative expenses increased
5.1% from $2.8 million in 1998 to $3.0 million in 1999 as a result of higher
spending associated with the increase in total net revenues. General and
administrative expenses in 1997 remained essentially unchanged from 1998 at
$2.8 million. During 1999, general and administrative expenses represented 8.2%
of total net revenues, compared to 8.5% in 1998 and 7.6% in 1997.

   Total other income, net. Total other income, net increased 9.1% from
$528,000 in 1998 to $576,000 in 1999 primarily due to higher interest income in
1999. Total other income, net increased 111.2% from $250,000 in 1997 to
$528,000 in 1998 primarily due to lower exchange rate losses in 1998.

   Income taxes. Our effective income tax rate increased from 37.7% in 1998 to
39.0% in 1999 primarily due to a valuation allowance established in 1999
against the net defferred tax assets of our Japanese subsidiary. Our effective
income tax rate decreased from 38.6% in 1997 to 37.7% in 1998 primarily as a
result of income tax benefits realized from net operating losses in foreign tax
jurisdictions. The effective income tax rates in 1999, 1998 and 1997 exceed the
U.S. statutory rate due primarily to state income taxes partially offset by the
realization of foreign sales corporation benefit.

                                       21
<PAGE>

Quarterly Results of Operations

   The following tables present unaudited quarterly results of operations in
dollars and as a percentage of total net revenues for the eight quarters ended
December 31, 1999. We believe that all necessary adjustments, consisting only
of normal recurring adjustments, have been included in the amounts stated below
to present fairly such quarterly information. The operating results for any
quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any subsequent period.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Quarters Ended,
                          --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Mar. 31,  June 30,  Sep. 30,  Dec. 31,   Mar. 31,   June 30,  Sep. 30,  Dec. 31,
                            1998      1998      1998      1998       1999       1999      1999      1999
                          --------  --------  --------  --------   --------   --------  --------  --------
                                                      (In thousands)
<S>                       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>
Net revenues:
 Product sales..........  $ 9,618   $ 9,705   $ 6,249   $ 4,146    $ 5,265    $ 6,468   $ 8,717   $11,712
 Service................      920     1,023       756       847        924      1,055     1,104     1,163
                          -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    -------   -------   -------
   Total net revenues...   10,538    10,728     7,005     4,993      6,189      7,523     9,821    12,875
                          -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    -------   -------   -------
Costs and expenses:
 Cost of product
  sales.................    3,629     4,029     2,813     2,531      2,552      2,984     3,976     5,094
 Cost of service........      985       967       835       882      1,104      1,017     1,176     1,263
 Research and
  development...........    1,231     1,063       886     1,026      1,016      1,094     1,099     1,449
 Acquired in process
  research and
  development...........    1,421        --        --        --         --         --        --        --
 Selling................    1,572     1,529     1,366     1,261      1,277      1,309     1,519     1,766
 General and
  administrative........      785       694       614       735        641        724       730       878
                          -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    -------   -------   -------
   Total costs and
    expenses............    9,623     8,282     6,514     6,435      6,590      7,128     8,500    10,450
                          -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    -------   -------   -------
Income (loss) from
 operations.............      915     2,446       491    (1,442)      (401)       395     1,321     2,425
Total other income
 (expense), net.........      126        (3)      165       240         66        112       216       182
                          -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    -------   -------   -------
Income (loss) before
 income taxes...........    1,041     2,443       656    (1,202)      (335)       507     1,537     2,607
Provision (benefit) for
 income taxes...........      417       948       262      (519)      (134)       203       637       976
                          -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    -------   -------   -------
Net income (loss).......      624   $ 1,495   $   394   $  (683)   $  (201)   $   304   $   900   $ 1,631
                          =======   =======   =======   =======    =======    =======   =======   =======
Net income (loss) per
 share
 Basic..................  $  0.07   $  0.17   $  0.05   $ (0.08)   $ (0.02)   $  0.03   $  0.10   $  0.18
 Diluted................  $  0.07   $  0.17   $  0.04   $ (0.08)   $ (0.02)   $  0.03   $  0.10   $  0.17
Shares used in per share
 computation
 Basic..................    8,545     8,641     8,669     8,686      8,701      8,757     8,823     9,033
 Diluted................    8,978     9,003     9,074     8,686      8,701      9,177     9,347     9,842
<CAPTION>
                                                      Quarters Ended,
                          --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Mar. 31,  June 30,  Sep. 30,  Dec. 31,   Mar. 31,   June 30,  Sep. 30,  Dec. 31,
                            1998      1998      1998      1998       1999       1999      1999      1999
                          --------  --------  --------  --------   --------   --------  --------  --------
<S>                       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>
Net revenues:
 Product sales..........     91.3%     90.5%     89.2%     83.0%      85.1%      86.0%     88.8%     91.0%
 Service................      8.7       9.5      10.8      17.0       14.9       14.0      11.2       9.0
                          -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    -------   -------   -------
   Total net revenues...    100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0      100.0      100.0     100.0     100.0
                          -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    -------   -------   -------
Costs and expenses:
 Cost of product
  sales.................     34.4      37.6      40.2      50.7       41.2       39.7      40.5      39.6
 Cost of service........      9.3       9.0      11.9      17.7       17.8       13.5      12.0       9.8
 Research and
  development...........     11.7       9.9      12.6      20.5       16.4       14.5      11.2      11.3
 Acquired in process
  research and
  development...........     13.5        --        --        --         --         --        --        --
 Selling................     14.9      14.3      19.5      25.3       20.6       17.4      15.5      13.7
 General and
  administrative........      7.5       6.4       8.8      14.7       10.5        9.6       7.3       6.8
                          -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    -------   -------   -------
   Total costs and
    expenses............     91.3      77.2      93.0     128.9      106.5       94.7      86.5      81.2
                          -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    -------   -------   -------
Income (loss) from
 operations.............      8.7      22.8       7.0     (28.9)      (6.5)       5.3      13.5      18.8
Total other income
 (expense), net.........      1.2       0.0       2.4       4.8        1.1        1.4       2.2       1.4
                          -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    -------   -------   -------
Income (loss) before
 income taxes...........      9.9      22.8       9.4     (24.1)      (5.4)       6.7      15.7      20.2
Provision (benefit) for
 income taxes...........      4.0       8.9       3.8     (10.4)      (2.2)       2.7       6.5       7.5
                          -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    -------   -------   -------
Net income (loss).......      5.9%     13.9%      5.6%    (13.7)%     (3.2)%      4.0%      9.2%     12.7%
                          =======   =======   =======   =======    =======    =======   =======   =======
</TABLE>

                                       22
<PAGE>


   Total net revenues for the quarters ended September 30, 1998, December 31,
1998 and March 31, 1999 were adversely affected as a result of decreased
shipments of our products in the U.S. and Asia due primarily to slower
worldwide demand in the semiconductor industry. In the first quarter of 1998,
we paid approximately $3.2 million for the assets and technology related to the
Metra product line from Optical Specialties. Of this purchase price, $1.4
million related to the value of in-process research and development that had no
alternative future use and was charged to expense during the quarter ended
March 31, 1998. See "Acquisition" for further discussion. During the quarter
ended December 31, 1999, we benefited from a generalized recovery in the
semiconductor industry.

   During each quarter we sell a relatively small number of systems, and
therefore a slight change in the timing of shipments can have a significant
impact on our quarterly results of operations. Our backlog at the beginning of
each quarter does not include all systems sales needed to achieve expected
revenues for that quarter. Consequently, we are dependent on obtaining orders
for systems to be shipped in the same quarter that the order is received.
Moreover, customers may reschedule shipments, and production difficulties could
delay shipments. Accordingly, our results of operations are subject to
significant variability from quarter to quarter and could be adversely affected
in a particular quarter if shipments for that quarter were lower than
anticipated. Because a relatively small group of customers may account for a
significant percentage of our sales in any given period, the loss of any single
customer could have a material, adverse effect on our results of operations.

   We believe that our quarterly and annual revenues, expenses and operating
results could vary significantly in the future and that period-to-period
comparisons should not be relied upon as indications of future performance. We
may not sustain or increase our level of net revenues or our rate of revenue
growth on a quarterly or annual basis. We may, in some future quarter, have
operating results that will be below the expectations of stock market analysts
and investors. In such event, the price of our common stock could decline.

Acquisition

   On March 30, 1998, we purchased from Optical Specialties a metrology system
product line and related assets used to measure the critical dimensions and
overlay registration errors observed in sub-micron photolithography. Under the
agreement, we paid approximately $3.2 million in cash for the assets and in-
process research and development. The total purchase price and allocation among
the tangible and intangible assets and liabilities acquired (including acquired
in-process research and development) is summarized as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                      <C>
Total purchase price--cash consideration................................ $3,225
                                                                         ======
Purchase price allocation:
  Tangible assets....................................................... $1,923
  Intangible assets*:
    Core and developed technology.......................................    419
    Goodwill............................................................    196
  In-process research and development...................................  1,421
  Liabilities...........................................................   (734)
                                                                         ------
Total purchase price allocation......................................... $3,225
                                                                         ======
</TABLE>
- --------
*  Intangible assets are being amortized using the straight-line method over a
   five-year useful life.

   The purchase price allocation and intangible valuation was based on our
estimates of the after tax net cash flows and gave explicit consideration to
the SEC's views on acquired in-process research and development as set forth in
its September 9, 1998 letter to the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants. Specifically, the valuation gave consideration to the following:

  . the employment of a fair market value premise excludes any Nanometrics-
    specific considerations, which could result in estimates of investment
    value for the subject assets; and

                                       23
<PAGE>

  . comprehensive due diligence concerning all potential intangible assets
    including trademarks/tradenames, patents, copyrights, noncompete
    agreements, assembled workforce and customer relationships and sales
    channel.

   The value of core technology was specifically addressed, with a view toward
ensuring the relative allocations to core technology and in-process research
and development were consistent with the relative contributions of each to the
final product. The allocation to in-process research and development was based
on a calculation that considered only the efforts completed as of the
transaction date, and only the cash flow associated with these completed
efforts for the products currently in process.

   As indicated above, we recorded a one-time charge of $1.4 million in the
first quarter of 1998 for acquired in-process research and development related
to the Metra 7000 development project that had not reached technological
feasibility, had no alternative future use and for which successful
development was uncertain. Our conclusion that the in-process development
effort, or any material sub-component, had no alternative future use was
reached in consultation with our engineering personnel and engineering
personnel from Optical Specialties.

   The project to complete the Metra 7000 product included the completion of a
software platform design started by Optical Specialties in 1997. As of the
acquisition date, the Metra 7000 had yet to achieve technological feasibility
since there was not a working prototype with a reliable new software design.
At the time of acquisition, the estimated cost to complete this software and
related development was approximately $300,000. We began shipments of the
Metra 7000 product to a customer in June 1998 and it was at that time that we
began to benefit from the acquired research and development related to the
product.

   Significant assumptions used to determine the value of in-process research
and development included several factors, including the following:

  . forecast of net cash flows that were expected to result from the
    development effort using projections prepared by us; and

  . percentage complete of 77.0% for the Metra 7000 project estimated by
    considering a number of factors, including the costs invested to date
    relative to total cost of the development effort and the amount of
    progress completed as of the acquisition date, on a technological basis,
    relative to the overall technological achievements required to achieve
    the functionality of the eventual product.

   The technological issues were addressed by engineering representatives from
both us and Optical Specialties, and when estimating the value of the
technology, the projected financial results of the acquired assets were
estimated on a stand-alone basis without any consideration to potential
synergic benefits or "investment value" related to the acquisition.

   Accordingly, separate projected cash flows were prepared for both the
existing as well as the in-process Metra 7000 products. These projected
results were based on the number of units sold times average selling price
less the associated costs. After preparing the estimated cash flow from the
product being developed, a portion of this cash flow was attributed to the
core technology, which was embodied in the in-process Metra 7000 product line
and enabled a quicker and more cost effective development of the Metra 7000.
When estimating the value of the developed, core and in-process technologies,
discount rates of 25.0%, 30.0% and 35.0%, respectively, were used. These
discount rates considered both the status and risk associated with the
respective cash flows as of the acquisition date.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

   At December 31, 1999, our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
totaled $18.1 million as compared to $11.4 million at December 31, 1998.
Additionally, our working capital of $36.0 million at December 31, 1999
increased from $30.6 million at December 31, 1998. We believe our working
capital, together with the proceeds of this offering, will be sufficient to
meet our needs at least through the next twelve months.

                                      24
<PAGE>


   Operating activities during 1999 provided cash of $7.1 million primarily
from net income and changes in income taxes of $2.8 million. Investing
activities used $5.9 million due to net purchases of short-term investments of
$4.8 million and $1.0 million in capital expenditures and prepaid licenses
fees. Financing activities provided cash of $816,000 primarily due to the sale
of shares under the employee stock purchase and option plans offset by the net
repayment of debt obligations in Japan of $1.3 million.

   Operating activities during 1998 provided net cash of $885,000 primarily
from net income partially offset by working capital requirements. Investing
activities used cash of $3.8 million, primarily to purchase the Metra product
line, as previously discussed above, and to fund net purchases of short-term
investments. Financing activities provided cash of $801,000 resulting primarily
from the sale of shares under the employee stock purchase and option plans.

   Operating activities during 1997 provided net cash of $4.2 million primarily
from net income partially offset by working capital requirements. Investing
activities used cash of $3.1 million, primarily to purchase short-term
investments in the U.S. Financing activities provided cash of $590,000
resulting from the sale of shares under the employee stock purchase and option
plans.

   We have evaluated and will continue to evaluate the acquisition of products,
technologies or businesses that are complementary to our business. These
activities may result in product and business investments. For example, as
previously discussed above, in March 1998, we purchased from Optical
Specialties a metrology system product line and related assets. Under the
agreement, we paid approximately $3.2 million in cash for the assets and
technology. We funded this acquisition from our cash equivalents, short-term
investments and cash flows from operations.

New Accounting Pronouncements

   In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities." This statement requires companies to
record derivatives on the balance sheet as assets or liabilities, measured at
fair value. Gains or losses resulting from changes in the values of those
derivatives would be accounted for depending on the use of the derivative and
whether it qualifies for hedge accounting. SFAS No. 133 will be effective for
us beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2001. Although we have not
fully assessed the implications of SFAS No. 133, our management does not
believe adoption of this statement will have a significant impact on our
consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

   In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released
Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 101, "Revenue Recognition in Financial
Statements." This bulletin summarizes certain interpretations and practices
followed by the Division of Corporation Finance and the Office of the Chief
Accountant of the SEC in administering the disclosure requirements of the
Federal securities laws in applying generally accepted accounting principles to
revenue recognition in financial statements. Application of the accounting and
disclosures desired in the bulletin is required by the first fiscal quarter of
2000. Although we have not fully assessed the implications of SAB No. 101, our
management does not believe adoption of this bulletin will have a significant
impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash
flows.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks

   We are exposed to financial market risks, which include changes in foreign
currency exchange rates and interest rates. We do not use derivative financial
instruments. Instead, we actively manage the balances of current assets and
liabilities denominated in foreign currencies to minimize currency fluctuation
risk. As a result, a hypothetical 10% change in the foreign currency exchange
rates at December 31, 1998 and 1999 would not have a material impact on our
results of operations. Our investments in marketable securities are subject to
interest rate risk but due to the short-term nature of these investments,
interest rate changes would not have a material impact on their value at
December 31, 1998 and 1999. We also have fixed rate yen

                                       25
<PAGE>


denominated debt obligations in Japan that have no interest rate risk. At
December 31, 1998 and 1999, our total debt obligation was $3.8 million and $2.9
million with a long-term portion of $2.5 million and $2.3 million,
respectively. The fixed rates on such obligations in 1998 and 1999 ranged from
1.9% to 3.4% and 1.5% to 3.4%, respectively, and mature on various dates
through May 2006. A hypothetical 10% change in interest rates at December 31,
1998 and 1999 would not have a material impact on our results of operation.

Year 2000 Issues

   Many computer systems had been expected to experience problems handling
dates for the Year 2000. The Year 2000 issue arose as a result of certain
computer programs being written using two digits rather than four to define the
applicable year. Consequently, these computer programs were unable to
distinguish between 21st century dates and 20th century dates and could have
caused computer system failures or miscalculations that could result in
significant business disruptions.

   Over the past year we have been testing our systems to evaluate Year 2000
problems, executing remediation activities to fix non-compliant systems and
monitoring and testing products and systems. To date, we have not experienced
any problems complying with the Year 2000 issue and have not been informed of
any failures of our products from customers.

                                       26
<PAGE>

                                   BUSINESS

   We are a leader in the design, manufacture, marketing and support of thin
film metrology systems for the semiconductor, flat panel display and magnetic
recording head industries. Our systems precisely measure a wide range of film
types deposited on substrates during manufacturing in order to control
manufacturing processes and increase production yields. Our non-contact, non-
destructive thin film measurement systems use a broad spectrum of wavelengths,
high-sensitivity optics, proprietary software and patented technology to
measure the thickness and uniformity of films deposited on silicon and other
substrates as well as their chemical composition.

   Growth in the market for our products is driven by the increasing use of
thin film technology by manufacturers of electronic products. Many types of
thin films are used in the manufacture of numerous products, including
semiconductors, flat panel displays and magnetic recording heads as well as
integrated fiber optics, conventional and advanced optics, high density
optical and magnetic disks and lasers. These products require the precise
electronic, optical, magnetic and surface finish properties enabled by thin
film technology. The rapid growth in the sale and use of these products has
created significant demand for our metrology systems.

   We offer a complete line of systems to address the thin film metrology
requirements of our customers. Each of our systems are equipped with
computerized mapping capability for measurement, visualization and control of
film uniformity. Our metrology systems can be categorized as follows:

  . stand-alone, fully automated systems for measurements of thin films in
    high-volume manufacturing operations;

  . integrated systems for integration into semiconductor processing
    equipment that provide virtually immediate measurements and feedback to
    improve process control and increase throughput; and

  . tabletop systems used to manually or semiautomatically measure thin films
    in engineering and low-volume production environments.

   In addition, we provide systems that are used to measure the overlay
accuracy of successive layers of semiconductor patterns on wafers in the
photolithography process. The accurate alignment of successive film layers,
relative to each other, across the wafer is critical for device performance
and favorable production yields.

   We have been a pioneer in the field of thin film measurement and have been
instrumental in the development of many innovations for over two decades. We
have been selling metrology systems since 1977 and have an extensive installed
base with industry leading customers worldwide, including Applied Materials,
Hyundai, IBM, LG International, TSMC and WaferTech.

Industry Background

 Growth

   The semiconductor, flat panel display and magnetic recording head
industries have experienced significant growth over the past decade. This
trend is expected to continue due to rapid growth in Internet usage and
continuing demand for applications in data processing, wireless
communications, personal computers, handheld electronic devices, computer
games and other consumer electronics. Dataquest, an independent industry
research company, estimates that worldwide semiconductor sales will increase
to approximately $251 billion in 2002 from $136 billion in 1998, representing
a compound annual growth rate of 16.6%. To keep pace with the demand, capital
equipment spending by semiconductor manufacturers is estimated to reach
$75 billion in 2002 from $30 billion in 1998, representing a compound annual
growth rate of 25.7%. Similarly, according to Stanford Resources Inc., a
display market research firm, the flat panel display market is expected to
grow to $26 billion in 2004 from $14 billion in 1998, representing a compound
annual growth rate of 10.9%.

                                      27
<PAGE>

 Semiconductor Manufacturing Process

   Semiconductors are fabricated by a complex series of process steps on a
wafer substrate made of silicon or other material. Thin film metrology systems
are used at many points during the fabrication process to monitor and
precisely measure film thickness and uniformity as well as chemical properties
in order to maximize the yield of acceptable semiconductors. Each wafer
typically goes through a series of 100 to 500 process and metrology steps in
generally repetitive cycles.



                             [CHART APPEARS HERE]

[Graphical chart depicting the interaction of metrology systems with the four
primary wafer film processing steps used in semiconductor manufacturing:
deposition, CMP, photolithography and etch. A circular diagram is used to show
the movement of a bare wafer through each of the four areas, beginning with
deposition and proceeding through CMP, photolithography and etch,
respectively. Metrology systems are shown to be used both before and after
each step in this process.]

   The four primary wafer film processing steps are:

  . deposition;

  . chemical mechanical planarization, known in our industry as CMP;

  . photolithography; and

  . etch.

   Deposition. Deposition refers to placing layers of insulating or conductive
materials on a wafer surface in thin films that make up the circuit elements
of semiconductor devices. The four most common methods of deposition are
chemical vapor deposition, or CVD, physical vapor deposition, or PVD,
diffusion and oxidation. The control of uniformity and thickness during
deposition of these films is critical to the performance of the semiconductor
circuit.

   Chemical Mechanical Planarization. CMP flattens, or planarizes, the
topography of the film surface to permit the patterning of small features on
the resulting smooth surface by the photolithography process. The CMP process
is a combination of chemical etching and mechanical polishing and commonly
uses an abrasive liquid and polishing pad. Semiconductor manufacturers need
metrology systems to control the CMP process by measuring the thin film layer
to determine precisely when the appropriate thickness has been reached.

   Photolithography. Photolithography is the process step that defines the
patterns of the circuits to be built on the chip. Before photolithography, a
wafer is pre-coated with photoresist, a light sensitive film, that must have
an accurate thickness and uniformity. Photolithography involves the projection
of integrated circuit patterns onto the photoresist after which it is
developed, leaving unexposed areas available for etching. In order to
precisely control the photolithography process, it is necessary to measure
reflectivity, film thickness and overlay registration.

                                      28
<PAGE>

   Etch. Etch is the process of selectively removing precise areas of thin
films that have been deposited on the surface of a wafer. The hardened
photoresist protects material that needs to be left to make up the circuits.
During etch, certain areas of the film not covered by photoresist are removed
to leave a desired circuit pattern. Thin film metrology systems are required to
verify material removal and critical dimension conformity.

   Before and after deposition, CMP, photolithography and etch, the wafer
surface is measured to determine the quality of the film or pattern and find
defects. Measurements are taken to ensure process uniformity and include
thickness, width, height, roughness and other characteristics. Process control
helps avoid costly rework or misprocessing and results in higher yields for
semiconductor manufacturers.

   These processing steps are typically repeated multiple times during the
fabrication process, with alternating layers of insulating and conductive
films. Depending on the specific design of a given integrated circuit, a
variety of film types and thicknesses and a number of layers can be used to
achieve desired electronic performance characteristics. The semiconductors are
then tested, separated into individual circuits, assembled and packaged into an
integrated circuit.

 Flat Panel Display and Magnetic Recording Head Manufacturing Processes

   Flat panel displays and magnetic recording heads are manufactured in clean
rooms using thin film processes that are similar to those used in semiconductor
manufacturing. Most flat panel displays are constructed on large glass
substrates that range in size up to 650 by 830 millimeters. Multiple magnetic
recording heads are manufactured on substrates that are typically made of an
aluminum oxide-titanium carbide alloy, two to three millimeters thick and
approximately 150 millimeters across.

 Increased Use of Thin Film Metrology Systems

   Manufacturers of semiconductors, flat panel displays and magnetic recording
heads are experiencing several trends that are increasing the need for thin
film metrology systems including the following:

  . Growing Use of Chemical Mechanical Planarization. Manufacturers are
    adopting CMP to flatten, or planarize, thin films to obtain the ultra-
    flat surfaces required for advanced photolithography. In addition, the
    introduction of new interconnect techniques has increased the need for
    CMP. Accordingly, semiconductor manufacturers are seeking metrology
    systems that can help control the CMP process by measuring the thin film
    layer to determine precisely when the appropriate thickness has been
    achieved.

  . Adoption of New Types of Thin Films. Manufacturers are adopting new
    processes and technologies that increase the importance and utilization
    of thin film metrology systems. To achieve greater semiconductor device
    speed, manufacturers are utilizing copper and new insulating materials
    that require enhanced metrology solutions for the manufacturing process.

  . Increasing Complexity of Semiconductors. Semiconductors are becoming more
    complex as they operate at faster speeds with smaller feature sizes,
    employ larger dies that contain more transistors and utilize increasing
    numbers of manufacturing process steps. The value of process wafers and
    the cost of rework is significantly higher for these complex
    semiconductors and therefore, manufacturers are seeking to use metrology
    systems to increase production yields and limit the amount of rework.

  . Need for Rapid Ramp of Production Efficiencies. Competitive forces on
    semiconductor device manufacturers, such as price cutting and shorter
    product life cycles, place pressure on the manufacturers to rapidly
    achieve production efficiency. Semiconductor device manufacturers are
    using metrology systems throughout the fab to ensure that manufacturing
    processes scale rapidly, are accurate and can be repeated on a consistent
    basis.


                                       29
<PAGE>

 Drive Toward Integrated Metrology

   For many years, semiconductor manufacturers have sought to improve fab
efficiency by choosing systems that integrate more than one process step into a
single tool. Integrated solutions increase productivity with higher throughput,
smaller overall footprint, reduced wafer handling and faster process
development. This trend began in the mid-1980s as leading manufacturers
introduced a "cluster process tool" architecture that combined multiple
processes in separate chambers around a central wafer handling platform. More
recently, CMP systems have begun to integrate cleaning technology into a single
system in order to achieve these benefits.

   Today, the same focus on increased productivity is driving the adoption of
integrated metrology for many processes, such as CMP and CVD. Until recently,
semiconductor manufacturers had to physically transport wafers from a process
tool to a separate metrology system in order to make critical measurements such
as film thickness and uniformity. Manufacturers of process equipment are
increasingly seeking to offer their customers integrated metrology in their
tools to lower costs and improve overall fab efficiency. Such tools can have
one or two metrology chambers that are integrated onto a process system, which
utilize the common automation platform so that measurements can be taken
without removing the wafers from the tool. Integrated metrology provides
semiconductor manufacturers with several benefits, including a reduction in the
number of test wafers, increased overall process throughput, faster detection
of process excursions and faults, reduced wafer handling, faster process
development and ultimately an improvement in overall equipment effectiveness.

Nanometrics Solution

   We are a leader in the design, manufacture, marketing and support of thin
film metrology systems for the semiconductor, flat panel display and magnetic
recording head industries. We offer a complete line of systems to address the
thin film metrology requirements of our customers. Our metrology systems can be
categorized as follows:

  . Stand-alone, fully automated systems used for measurements of thin films
    in high-volume manufacturing operations. We offer a broad line of fully
    automated thin film thickness measurement systems. These systems remove
    the dependence on human operators by incorporating reliable wafer
    handling robots and are designed to meet the speed, measurement,
    performance and reliability requirements that are essential for today's
    semiconductor, flat panel display and magnetic recording head
    manufacturing facilities. We believe we offer the only fully automated
    thin film thickness measurement systems that synergistically combine
    spectroscopic ellipsometry, spectroscopic reflectometry and Fourier
    transform infrared reflectometry, known in the industry as FTIR. Each of
    these measurement systems are non-contact and use non-destructive
    techniques to analyze and measure films. This combination of technologies
    enables our systems to determine the concentration of elements, or
    dopants, within a film. This is of significant importance, as many new
    films used today require continuous monitoring of dopant levels and
    chemical composition. Our fully automated metrology product line also
    includes systems that are used to measure the overlay registration
    accuracy of successive layers of semiconductor patterns on wafers in the
    photolithography process.

  . Integrated systems used to measure in-process wafers automatically and
    quickly without having to leave the enclosed wafer processing system. In
    1998, we introduced our high-speed integrated metrology system. Our
    integrated metrology systems are compact and monitor a multitude of small
    test points on the wafer using sophisticated pattern recognition. Our
    integrated systems can be attached to film deposition, CMP, CVD, etch and
    other process tools to provide rapid monitoring of films on each wafer
    immediately before or after processing. Integrated systems can offer
    customers significantly increased operating efficiency and equipment
    utilization, lower manufacturing costs and higher throughput. Similar to
    our automated metrology systems, our integrated systems can be configured
    to determine the concentration of dopants within a film. We believe we
    are the only supplier of integrated metrology systems with this
    capability. We are currently shipping integrated systems to Applied
    Materials for installation on their CMP and CVD tools.

                                       30
<PAGE>

  . Tabletop systems used to manually or semiautomatically measure thin films
    in engineering and low-volume production environments. We pioneered and
    believe we are the leading supplier of tabletop thin film thickness
    measurement systems, which are mainly used in low-volume production
    environments and failure analysis and engineering labs. Our three
    tabletop models have unique capabilities and several available
    configurations, depending on wafer handling, range of films to be
    measured, uniformity mapping and other customer needs.

   Each of our thin film thickness measurement systems are equipped with
computerized readout capability for measurement, visualization and control of
film uniformity. In addition, we have developed new automated systems and
tabletop products for emerging technologies using larger substrates such as 300
millimeter wafers and larger flat panel displays. We believe that we are the
first company to ship fully automated thin film thickness measurement systems
for 300 millimeter wafers. We have also introduced new technology for the
precise thin film measurements that are dictated by sub 0.25 micron design
rules and have developed products with mini-environments that meet the latest
standards for clean, particle-free manufacturing.

Strategy

   Our strategy is to offer and support, on a worldwide basis, technologically
advanced metrology systems that meet the changing manufacturing requirements of
the semiconductor, flat panel display and magnetic recording head industries as
well as other industries that use metrology systems. Key elements of our
strategy include:

     Continuing to Offer Advanced Integrated Metrology Systems. We were one
  of the first suppliers to offer products that integrate process metrology
  systems into wafer processing equipment. We are currently the only supplier
  of integrated systems that combine spectroscopic reflectometry with FTIR,
  thereby providing comprehensive analysis for thin film measurement. We
  intend to continue our efforts to develop the integrated metrology market
  to achieve and maintain competitive advantages. In September 1998, we
  entered into an OEM agreement to supply metrology systems for Applied
  Materials' Mirra Mesa(TM) CMP system. In addition, in July 1999, we
  introduced a metrology system that is incorporated into Applied Materials'
  Producer QA(TM) CVD system. We are pursuing other OEM arrangements and will
  continue to investigate other integrated metrology technologies.

     Maintaining Technology Leadership. We are committed to developing
  advanced metrology systems that meet the requirements of advances in thin
  film manufacturing technology. We have an extensive base of proprietary
  technology and expertise in optics, software and systems integration. We
  have supplemented our capabilities by establishing strategic relationships
  to leverage our technical resources and strengthen our product offerings.
  These include relationships with Kensington Laboratories, a manufacturer of
  precision robotic systems, J.A. Woollam Company, a leading designer of
  spectroscopic ellipsometer systems and Midac, a provider of FTIR
  technology. In December 1999, we acquired inspection and metrology
  technology from Phase Metrics, a data storage equipment company, to augment
  our technology portfolio.

     Leveraging Existing Customer and Industry Relationships. We expect to
  continue to strengthen our existing customer relationships and foster
  working partnerships by providing technologically superior systems and high
  levels of customer support. Our strong industry relationships have allowed
  close customer collaboration that facilitated our ability to introduce new
  products and applications that met customer needs. We believe that our
  large customer base will continue to be an important source of new product
  development ideas. Our large customer base also provides us with the
  opportunity for increased sales of additional metrology systems to our
  customers without the extensive effort that might otherwise be required.

     Providing Worldwide Distribution and Support. We believe that a direct
  sales and support capability is essential for developing and maintaining
  close customer relationships and for rapidly responding to changing
  customer requirements. Because a majority of our sales come from outside
  the United States, we

                                       31
<PAGE>

  are expanding our direct sales force in South Korea and Taiwan and will
  continue to expand into additional territories as customer requirements
  dictate. We use selected sales representatives and distributors in other
  countries in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. We intend to continue
  developing our distribution network by expanding our existing offices,
  opening new offices and forming additional distribution relationships. We
  believe that growing our international distribution network will enhance
  our competitive position.

     Providing a Broad Portfolio of Metrology Systems and Technology. We
  offer a comprehensive family of metrology systems that accurately measure
  thin films and overlay registration used in the manufacturing process. We
  offer automated and integrated systems for high-volume manufacturing
  applications and tabletop systems for engineering and small fab
  applications. Our products can include a wide range of accessories as well
  as special hardware and software configurations to meet customer needs. We
  plan to continue enhancing our products and integrating additional features
  and measurement modules that will strengthen and broaden our product line.

     Addressing Multiple Markets. There are broad applications of our
  technology beyond the semiconductor industry. We intend to continue
  developing and marketing products to address metrology requirements in the
  manufacture of flat panel displays, magnetic recording heads and any other
  industries that might apply our technology in the future. We believe our
  diversification through multiple industry applications of our technology
  increases the total available market for our products and reduces, to an
  extent, our exposure to the cyclicality of any particular market.

Products

   We have been a pioneer in the field of thin film metrology and have been
instrumental in the development of many innovations over the past 25 years. Our
thin film thickness measurement systems use microscope-based, non-contact
spectroscopic reflectometry. Some of our systems provide complementary
spectroscopic ellipsometry to measure the thickness and optical characteristics
of films on a variety of substrates. In addition, we offer an optional FTIR
feature on some of our products to determine other film parameters, such as the
concentration of dopants within a film. We also manufacture a line of optical
overlay registration systems that are used to determine the alignment accuracy
of successive layers of semiconductor patterns on wafers in the
photolithography process. Our products can be divided into three groups:
automated systems, integrated systems and tabletop systems.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Technology
                                                       -----------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      Fourier
                                             Maximum                                 Transform    Advanced
                                            Substrate  Spectroscopic Spectroscopic   Infrared    Dimensional
    System               Market             Size (mm)  Reflectometry Ellipsometry  Reflectometry  Metrology
  ---------   ----------------------------  ---------  ------------- ------------- ------------- -----------
  <S>         <C>                          <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
  Automated
    8000X     Semiconductor, Magnetic Head     200           X             X             X
    8300X            Semiconductor             300           X             X             X
     9200            Semiconductor             200           X                           X
  5500/6500        Flat Panel Display      960 by 1100       X
  7000/7200          Semiconductor             200                                                     X

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

<CAPTION>
  Integrated
  <S>         <C>                          <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
    9000i            Semiconductor             200           X                           X
    9000b            Semiconductor             300           X                           X

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

<CAPTION>
   Tabletop
  <S>         <C>                          <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
     3000     Semiconductor, Magnetic Head     200           X
  6100/6150          Semiconductor             200           X
    50-2c     Semiconductor, Magnetic Head     200                                                     X
</TABLE>


                                       32
<PAGE>

Automated Systems

   Our stand-alone, fully automated metrology systems are employed in high-
volume production environments. These systems incorporate automated material
handling interface options for integration into a variety of fab automation
environments, and implement multiple measurement technologies for a broad range
of substrate sizes. Our automated systems range in price from approximately
$200,000 to $700,000 depending on substrate sizes, measurement technologies,
material handling interfaces and software options.

 NanoSpec 8000X

   The NanoSpec 8000X stand-alone, automated thin film measurement system is
capable of handling wafers ranging in size from 75 to 200 millimeters in
diameter. The 8000X is the basic system configuration, while the 8000XSE
includes a fully integrated spectroscopic ellipsometer for ultrathin and
multiple film stack measurement applications. In addition, an FTIR option can
be added to determine dielectric dopant concentrations. Other 8000X options
include a standard mechanical interface with mini-environment enclosures for
use in ultra-clean manufacturing facilities. The 8000X can also be configured
to handle the substrates that are used in the magnetic recording head industry.

 NanoSpec 8300X

   The NanoSpec 8300X stand-alone, automated thin film measurement system is
capable of handling both 200 and 300 millimeter diameter wafers. The 8300X is
the basic system configuration and can be equipped with the spectroscopic
ellipsometer and FTIR options for expanded measurement applications. This
system can also include a mini-environment enclosure and wafer load ports
compatible with industry standards. These systems conform to the new industry
standards for 300 millimeter wafer handling automation. The 8300X received a
Photonics Circle of Excellence Award for innovation and achievement in photonic
technology.

 NanoSpec 9200

   The NanoSpec 9200 stand-alone, automated thin film measurement system is
capable of handling wafers of 150 and 200 millimeters in diameter. We developed
this system using technologies from the NanoSpec 9000 integrated film thickness
system to be compact and to provide high wafer throughput.

 NanoSpec 5500 and 6500

   The NanoSpec 5500 and 6500 measure most optically transparent films used in
the manufacture of flat panel displays. The Model 5500 is fully automated and
handles large glass substrates up to 550 by 650 millimeters. This model is also
capable of precisely measuring at any site on the substrate and generating film
thickness maps, which show uniformity across the panel. The 6500 is an advanced
version of the 5500 with many proprietary software and hardware enhancements
and is capable of handling substrates up to 960 by 1100 millimeters.

 Metra 7000 and 7200

   In 1998, we completed an acquisition of the Metra product line from Optical
Specialties. The Metra is a stand-alone system used to measure the overlay
accuracy of successive layers of semiconductor patterns on wafers in the
photolithography process. We shipped our first automated overlay registration
system, the Metra 7000, in June 1998. The recently introduced Metra 7200
provides enhanced measurement performance and higher wafer throughput.

Integrated Systems

   Our integrated metrology systems are installed inside wafer processing
equipment to provide near real-time measurements for improving process control
and increasing throughput. Our integrated systems are available for wafer sizes
up to 300 millimeters and offer deep ultraviolet, commonly referred to as

                                       33
<PAGE>

DUV, FTIR measurement technologies, in addition to spectroscopic reflectometry.
Depending on features and technologies, our integrated metrology systems range
in price from approximately $90,000 to $295,000.

 NanoSpec 9000i


   The NanoSpec 9000i is an ultra-compact measurement system designed for
integration into semiconductor wafer processing equipment. The system can be
used in several wafer film process steps including metal deposition, CMP, CVD,
photolithography and etch. In its basic configuration, the 9000i is equipped
with visible wavelength spectroscopic reflectometry. In 1999, the 9000i
received a Photonics Circle of Excellence Award for innovation and achievement
in photonic technology.

 NanoSpec 9000b

   The NanoSpec 9000b is a 300 millimeter-based system that incorporates all
the features of the 9000i. This system is interchangeable with industry
conforming load ports for simplified mechanical integration.

Tabletop Systems

   Our tabletop systems are used mainly in low-volume production environments
and in engineering labs where automated handling and high throughput are not
required. Our tabletop product line encompasses both manual and semiautomated
models and includes systems for both film thickness and critical dimension
measurements. Our tabletop system prices range from approximately $50,000 to
$200,000 depending primarily on the degree of automation and software options.

 NanoSpec 3000 and 6100/6150

   The NanoSpec tabletop systems provide a broad range of thin film measurement
solutions at a lower entry price point. The NanoSpec 3000 is a basic, manual
system while the 6100/6150 models feature semiautomatic wafer handling or
staging.

 NanoLine 50-2C

   The NanoLine 50-2C is a tabletop critical dimension, or linewidth,
measurement system primarily used in low-volume production environments and
photolithography mask making shops. The system uses a high- magnification
optical system and scanning technology combined with proprietary software to
provide accurate, repeatable dimensions.

Customers

   We sell our thin film metrology systems worldwide to many of the major
semiconductor, flat panel display and magnetic recording head manufacturers and
equipment suppliers, as well as producers of silicon wafers and photomasks. The
majority of our systems are sold to customers located in the United States,
Asia and Europe. One customer, IBM, represented 11.2% of our total net revenues
in 1998 and Applied Materials and TSMC represented 12.8% and 10.5% of our total
net revenues in 1999, respectively.

   The following is a list of our top customers, based on revenues, during
1999:

<TABLE>
    <S>                         <C>
    Applied Materials           Intertrade Scientific
    CHI-MEI                     Sony
    Hyundai                     Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
    IBM                          Co. (TSMC)
    Innotech                    Texas Instruments
                                WaferTech
</TABLE>

                                       34
<PAGE>

Sales and Marketing

   We believe that a direct sales and support capability is essential for
developing and maintaining close customer relationships and for rapidly
responding to changing customer requirements. We provide direct sales support
from our corporate office in California. In addition, we have a direct sales
presence in Oregon and Texas in the United States as well as Scotland, South
Korea, Taiwan and Japan. We use selected sales representatives and distributors
in other countries in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. We intend to continue
to develop our distribution network by expanding our existing offices and
opening new offices and forming additional distribution relationships. We
believe that growing our international distribution network will enhance our
competitive position. We maintain a direct sales force of highly trained,
technically sophisticated sales engineers who are knowledgeable in the use of
metrology systems in general and the features and advantages of our products in
particular. We believe that our sales and application engineers are skilled in
working with customers to solve complex measurement and process problems.

   Sales to customers in foreign countries constituted approximately 61.8% and
60.9% of total net revenues for 1998 and 1999, respectively. Direct exports of
our metrology systems to foreign customers and shipments to our subsidiaries
require general export licenses. See note 12 of the notes to consolidated
financial statements for information regarding total net revenues and long-
lived assets of our foreign operations.

   In order to raise market awareness of our products, we advertise in trade
publications, distribute promotional materials, publish technical articles,
conduct marketing programs, issue press releases regarding new products, work
with a public relations firm and participate in industry trade shows and
conferences.

Technology

   We believe that our engineering expertise, technology acquisitions, supplier
alliances and short-cycle production strategies enable us to develop and offer
advanced solutions that address industry trends. By offering common metrology
platforms that can be configured with a variety of measurement technologies,
our customers can specify high performance systems not offered by other
suppliers or, as a cost saving measure, they can narrowly configure a system
for a specific application.

   Spectroscopic Reflectometry. We pioneered the use of micro-spot
spectroscopic reflectometry for semiconductor film metrology in the late 1970s.
Spectroscopic reflectometry uses multiple wavelengths (colors) of light to
obtain an array of data for analysis of film thickness and other film
parameters. Today's semiconductor manufacturers still depend on spectroscopic
reflectometry for most film metrology applications. Reflectometry is the
measurement of reflected light. For film metrology, a wavelength spectrum in
the visible region is commonly used. Light reflected from the surfaces of the
film and the substrate is analyzed using computers and measurement algorithms.
The analysis yields thickness information and other parameters without
contacting or destroying the film.

   In the mid-1980s, we introduced a DUV reflectometer for material analysis.
In 1991, we were awarded a patent for the determination of absolute reflectance
in the ultraviolet region. This technology provides enhanced measurement
performance for thinner films and films stacked on top of one another.

   Spectroscopic Ellipsometry. Like reflectometry, ellipsometry is a non-
contact and non-destructive technique used to analyze and measure films. An
ellipsometer analyzes the change in a polarized beam of light after reflection
from a film's surface and interface. Our systems are spectroscopic providing
ellipsometric data at many different wavelengths. Spectroscopic ellipsometry
provides a wealth of information about a film, yielding very accurate and
reliable measurements. In general, ellipsometers are used for thin films and
complex film stacks, whereas reflectometers are used for thicker films and
stacks.

   FTIR Reflectometry. FTIR is another non-contact analytical technique used to
collect information about a film. FTIR operates in the infrared region of the
electromagnetic spectrum, which is invisible to the human eye.

                                       35
<PAGE>

Our proprietary, compact FTIR design collects a wide spectrum of infrared
radiation reflected from the film and then separates this radiation into
wavelength data using mathematical algorithms, referred to as Fourier
transforms. The infrared spectrum is useful for determining the dopants in a
film. FTIR is of significant importance to the semiconductor industry, as many
new films used today require careful monitoring of dopant levels. In addition,
FTIR can be used to measure very thick films and films that cannot be analyzed
within the range of visible or DUV reflectometry and ellipsometry.

   Combined Film Analysis. By combining all three film analysis techniques
(reflectometry, ellipsometry and FTIR) onto one platform, our film metrology
systems offer a comprehensive analysis for film metrology applications.
Competitive systems generally measure only thickness and optical characteristic
of a film. Our systems measure thickness, optical characteristics and the
concentration of dopants. Beyond the performance advantage, our combined
systems require less cleanroom space and provide lower cost of ownership.

   Surface Analysis. We have a variety of proprietary, non-contact and non-
destructive technologies that are used to inspect the surfaces of films and
substrates. These technologies locate and analyze abnormalities found on the
surfaces and can be adapted to metrology platforms.

   Overlay Registration. Overlay registration refers to the relative alignment
of two layers in the thin film photolithographic process. Our microscope-based,
measurement technology utilizes a high magnification, low distortion imaging
system combined with proprietary software algorithms to numerically quantify
the alignment.

Customer Service and Support

   We believe that customer service and technical support are important
competitive factors and are essential to building and maintaining close, long-
term relationships with our customers. We provide support to our customers with
telephonic technical support access, direct training programs and operating
manuals and other technical support information. We use our demonstration
equipment for training programs in addition to sales and marketing. We provide
warranty and post-warranty service from our corporate office in California. We
also have service operations based in Arizona, Massachusetts, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, Idaho and Texas. Local service and spare parts are provided in
the United Kingdom by our sales office in Scotland and in the rest of Europe by
distributors and sales representatives. In Asia, service is provided by direct
offices in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Our distributors and representatives
provide service in other countries in Asia.

   We provide a one-year warranty on parts and labor for products sold
domestically and in foreign markets. Service revenue, including sales of
replacement parts, represented approximately 10.7% and 11.7% of total net
revenues in 1998 and 1999, respectively.

Backlog

   As of December 31, 1999, our backlog was approximately $13.4 million,
compared with approximately $1.0 million at December 31, 1998. Backlog includes
orders for products that we expect to ship within 12 months. Orders from our
customers are subject to cancellation or delay by the customer without penalty.
Historically, order cancellations and order rescheduling have not been
significant. However, orders presently in backlog could be canceled or
rescheduled. Since only a portion of our revenues for any fiscal quarter
represent systems in backlog, we do not believe that backlog is a meaningful or
accurate indication of our future revenues and performance.

Competition

   The market for our metrology systems is intensely competitive and
characterized by rapidly evolving technology. We compete on a global basis with
both larger and smaller companies in the United States, Japan, Israel and
Europe. We compete primarily with: stand-alone thin film measurement products
from KLA-Tencor

                                       36
<PAGE>

Corporation, Therma-Wave, Inc., Rudolph Technologies and Dai Nippon Screen;
integrated thin film measurement products from Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd.
and Online Technologies; and overlay measurement products from KLA-Tencor
Corporation, Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. and Schlumberger Ltd. Many of our
competitors have substantially greater financial, engineering, manufacturing
and marketing resources than we do. Significant competitive factors include:
measurement technology, system performance (including automation and software
capability), ease of use, reliability, established customer bases, cost of
ownership, price and global customer service. We believe that we compete
favorably with respect to these factors, but we must continue to develop and
design new and improved products in order to maintain our competitive position.

Manufacturing

   We manufacture our products in the United States, Japan and Korea. We
combine proprietary measurement components and software produced in our
facilities with components and subassemblies obtained from outside suppliers.
Certain of our products include system engineering and software development to
meet specific customer requirements. Our manufacturing operations do not
require a major investment in capital equipment.

   Certain components, subassemblies and services necessary for the manufacture
of our systems are obtained from a sole supplier or limited group of suppliers.
We do not maintain any long-term supply agreements with any of our suppliers.
We are relying increasingly on outside vendors to manufacture many components
and subassemblies. We have entered into agreements with J.A. Woollam Company
for the purchase of the spectroscopic ellipsometer components and Midac
Corporation for the purchase of FTIR spectrometer components. Additionally, we
use Kensington Laboratories as our primary source of robotics components.

Research and Development

   Our research and development is directed towards enhancing existing products
and developing and introducing new products to maintain technological
leadership and to meet current and evolving customer needs. Our process,
engineering, marketing, operations and management personnel have developed
close collaborative relationships with many of our customers' counterparts and
have used these relationships to identify market demands and target our
research and development to meet those demands. We are working to develop
potential applications of new and emerging technologies, including improved
metrology methods. We conduct research and development at our facilities in
California, Korea and Japan. We have extensive proprietary technology and
expertise in such areas as spectroscopic reflectometry using our patented
absolute reflectivity, robust pattern recognition and complex measurement
software algorithms. We also have extensive experience in systems integration
engineering required to design compact, highly automated systems for advanced
clean room environments. Expenditures for research and development during 1998
and 1999 were $4.2 million and $4.7 million, and represented 12.7% and 12.8% of
total net revenues, respectively.

Intellectual Property

   Our success depends in large part on the technical innovation of our
products. We actively pursue a program of filing patent applications to seek
protection of technologically sensitive features of our metrology systems. We
hold a number of United States patents with several pending patents. The United
States patents, issued during the period 1983 to 1999, will expire from 2000 to
2018. While we attempt to protect our intellectual property rights through
patents and non-disclosure agreements, we believe that our success will depend
to a greater degree upon innovation, technological expertise and our ability to
adapt our products to new technology. We may not be able to protect our
technology, and competitors may be able to develop similar technology
independently. In addition, the laws of certain foreign countries may not
protect our intellectual property to the same extent as do the laws of the
United States.

   From time to time we have received communications from third parties
asserting that our metrology systems infringe, or may infringe, the proprietary
rights of these third parties. We are presently discussing

                                       37
<PAGE>

patent issues with Therma-Wave, Inc. We believe that Therma-Wave's Opti-Probe
product line may infringe on a patent issued to us relating to absolute
reflectance measurement. Therma-Wave alleges that some of our thin film
thickness measurement products may infringe on a Therma-Wave patent relating to
the combination of a spectroscopic reflectometer with a spectroscopic
ellipsometer. Although we believe that none of our products infringe on a valid
Therma-Wave patent, if this matter is resolved against us, our business could
be harmed. Additionally, some customers of ours have received notices from The
Lemelson Medical, Education & Research Foundation alleging that equipment used
in the manufacture of semiconductor products infringes their patents. A number
of these customers have notified us that they are seeking indemnification from
us for any damages and expenses resulting from this matter. Certain of our
customers have engaged in litigation with the late Mr. Lemelson involving a
number of his patents and some of these cases have been settled. Although the
ultimate outcome of these matters is not presently determinable, the resolution
of all such pending matters could harm our business. These claims of
infringement may lead to protracted and costly litigation that could require us
to pay substantial damages or have the sale of our products or systems stopped
by an injunction. Infringement claims could also cause product or system delays
or require us to redesign our products or systems, and these delays could
result in the loss of substantial revenues. We may also be required to obtain a
license from the third party or cease activities utilizing the third party's
proprietary rights. We may not be able to enter into such a license or such
license may not be available on commercially reasonable terms. The loss of an
infringement action or the inability to license a third party's intellectual
property could therefore prevent our ability to sell our systems, or require us
to redesign our products, making the sale of such systems more expensive for
us. We may be required to initiate litigation in order to enforce any patents
issued to or licensed by us, or to determine the scope or validity of a third
party's patent or other proprietary rights. Any such litigation, regardless of
outcome, could be expensive and time consuming, and could subject us to
significant liabilities or require us to re-engineer our product or obtain
expensive licenses from third parties.

Employees

   At December 31, 1999, we employed approximately 191 persons worldwide,
including 52 in research and development, 38 in manufacturing and manufacturing
support, 77 in marketing, sales and field service and 24 in general
administration and finance. None of these employees is represented by a union
and we have never experienced a work stoppage as a result of union actions.
Many of our employees have specialized skills of value to us. Our future
success will depend in large part upon our ability to attract and retain highly
skilled scientific, technical, managerial, financial and marketing personnel,
who are in great demand in the industry. We consider our employee relations to
be good.

Facilities

   Our principal manufacturing and administrative facility is located in
Sunnyvale, California in a leased building with approximately 35,000 square
feet. The lease on this building began in May 1992 and is scheduled to expire
in April 2002. We also have sales and service offices in Texas, Korea and
Taiwan. Rent expense for our facilities was approximately $867,000 for 1999.

   Through our Japanese subsidiary, we own a 15,000 square foot facility in
Narita, Japan. This facility is utilized by our Japanese subsidiary for sales,
service, engineering and manufacturing. Our Japanese subsidiary also leases
three sales and service offices.

   In September 1998, our Korean subsidiary entered into a two-year agreement
for manufacturing facilities that provides for payments based on a percentage
of net product sales.

Legal Proceedings

   There are no material legal proceedings pending against us. We could become
involved in litigation from time to time relating to claims arising out of our
ordinary course of business.

                                       38
<PAGE>

                                  MANAGEMENT

   The following are our current executive officers and directors and their
ages as of December 31, 1999:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            Name             Age                    Position
            ----             ---                    --------
<S>                          <C> <C>
Vincent J. Coates...........  74 Chairman of the Board, Secretary
John D. Heaton..............  39 President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Paul B. Nolan...............  44 Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Roger Ingalls Jr............  38 Vice President and Director of Marketing
William A. McGahan..........  33 Vice President and Chief Scientist
Nathaniel Brenner...........  73 Director
Norman V. Coates............  50 Director
Kanegi Nagai................  68 Director
Edmond R. Ward..............  60 Director
</TABLE>

   Mr. Vincent Coates has been our Chairman of the Board since our founding in
1975. He has also served as our Chief Executive Officer and President from our
founding through July 1988, except for the period January 1986 through
February 1987 when he served exclusively as Chief Executive Officer. He was
elected Secretary in February 1989. He resigned the position of Chief
Executive Officer in April 1998.

   Mr. Heaton joined us in September 1990 and in April 1994 was elected Vice
President of Engineering and General Manager. In July 1995, he was appointed
to the Board of Directors and became General Manager. He has been President
since May 1996 and was elected Chief Executive Officer in April 1998. Mr.
Heaton served in various technical roles at National Semiconductor from 1978
to 1990 prior to joining us.

   Mr. Nolan joined us in March 1989 and in March 1994 was elected Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Nolan served as Senior Financial
Analyst at Harris Corporation prior to joining us.

   Mr. Ingalls has been employed by Nanometrics since March 1995 and was
elected Vice President in October 1997. He was appointed Director of Marketing
in February 1998. During his employment at Nanometrics, Mr. Ingalls has served
as U.S. Sales and Product Manager, and most recently Director of North
American Sales. Prior to joining Nanometrics, he served as a sales engineer
for Nikon Inc. from March 1993 to March 1995.

   Dr. McGahan joined us in October 1995 and was elected Vice President in
October 1997 and Chief Scientist in December 1999. He served as Director of
Research and Development from January 1999 to December 1999. From January 1998
to January 1999, Dr. McGahan served as Director of Engineering. Prior to that,
he served as Applications Engineering Manager from October 1996 to October
1997 and as Advanced Metrology Development Manager from October 1995 to
October 1996. From September 1987 to October 1995, Dr. McGahan served as an
engineer for the J.A. Woollam Co., Inc., a manufacturer of spectroscopic
ellipsometers. Dr. McGahan has published 46 papers relating to ellipsometry
magneto-optics and thermal characterization of materials.

   Mr. Brenner has served as one of our directors since June 1986. He joined
Beckman Instruments, Inc. in 1976 where he held the positions of Program
Manager, Marketing Manager (Instruments) and General Manager (Spectroscopy).
In 1992, Mr. Brenner retired from Beckman Instruments, Inc.

   Mr. Norman V. Coates has served as one of our directors since May 1988. He
has operated Gem of the River Produce, a farming and produce packing operation
in Orleans, California, as a sole proprietor since 1978. He has also been
manager of the Boise Creek Farm operation since 1985 and a manager of Coates
Vineyards since 1997.

                                      39
<PAGE>

   Mr. Nagai has served as one of our directors since May 1996. Mr. Nagai also
served us as a consultant from August 1995 until June 1998. From January 1990
to April 1995, Mr. Nagai was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Cybeq
Systems, a semiconductor equipment supplier. From 1983 to 1989, Mr. Nagai held
a number of management positions with the Mitsubishi Bank (currently the Bank
of Tokyo-Mitsubishi) and the Mitsubishi Materials Corporation.

   Mr. Ward has served as one of our directors since August 1999. Since August
1999, Mr. Ward has been a General Partner of Virtual Founders. From April 1992
to June 1997, Mr. Ward was the Vice President of Technology at Silicon Valley
Group Inc.

   Mr. Vincent Coates is the father of Mr. Norman Coates, one of our directors.
There are no other family relationships among any of our executive officers and
directors. All directors hold office until the next annual meeting of
shareholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified.
Officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

                                       40
<PAGE>

                       PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

   The following table presents information with respect to beneficial
ownership of our common stock as of December 31, 1999 and as adjusted to
reflect the sale of the shares offered by this prospectus by:

  . each person who beneficially owns more than 5% of the common stock;

  . each of our executive officers;

  . each of our directors;

  . all executive officers and directors as a group; and

  . the selling shareholders.

   The applicable percentage of ownership for each shareholder is based on
9,163,998 shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 1999.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Ownership Prior to                 Ownership After
                              Offering (1)                        Offering
                          --------------------              --------------------
                          Number of            Shares Being Number of
    Beneficial Owner       Shares   Percentage   Offered     Shares   Percentage
- ------------------------  --------- ---------- ------------ --------- ----------
<S>                       <C>       <C>        <C>          <C>       <C>
Vincent J. Coates(2)....  5,388,774    58.8%    1,750,000   3,638,774    33.3%
 c/o Nanometrics
  Incorporated
 310 DeGuigne Drive
 Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Putnam Investments,
 Inc.(3)................    833,840     9.1%            0     833,840     7.6%
 One Post Office Square
 Boston, MA 02109
FMR Corp.(4)............    700,000     7.6%            0     700,000     6.4%
 82 Devonshire Street
 Boston, MA 02109
Nathaniel Brenner(5)....     55,999       *             0      55,999       *
Norman V. Coates(6).....     38,049       *             0      38,049       *
John D. Heaton(7).......    126,668     1.4%            0     126,668     1.1%
Paul B. Nolan(8) .......     61,666       *             0      61,666       *
Kanegi Nagai(9) ........     13,999       *             0      13,999       *
Roger Ingalls Jr.(10)...     32,999       *             0      32,999       *
William A. McGahan(11)..     29,332       *             0      29,332       *
Edmond R. Ward..........          0       *             0           0       *
All officers and
 directors as a group
 (9 persons)(12)........  5,747,486    60.6%    1,750,000   3,997,486    35.6%
</TABLE>
- --------
 *  Less than 1%
(1)  Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
     SEC. The number of shares beneficially owned by a person includes shares
     of common stock subject to options held by that person that are currently
     exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 1999. Such
     shares issuable pursuant to such options are deemed outstanding for
     computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such options but
     are not deemed outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage
     ownership of each other person.
(2)  Includes 3,376,154 shares of common stock held of record by the Vincent J.
     Coates Separate Property Trust, U/D/T dated August 7, 1981, for which Mr.
     Coates acts as trustee; 1,000,000 shares of common stock held of record by
     the Vincent J. Coates 1999 Charitable Trust UTA dated December 17, 1999,
     for which Mr. Coates acts as trustee; and 1,012,500 shares of common stock
     held of record by the Vincent J.

                                       41
<PAGE>

   Coates Foundation, for which Mr. Coates acts as president. The Vincent J.
   Coates 1999 Charitable Trust and the Vincent J. Coates Foundation will sell
   1,000,000 and 750,000 shares of common stock, respectively, in the
   offering. If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full,
   the Vincent J. Coates Foundation will sell an additional 262,500 shares,
   bringing Mr. Coates's percentage of our common stock beneficially owned
   after this offering to 30.2%.At December 31, 1999, our total debt
   obligation was $2.9 million while the long-term portion was $2.3 million.
   The fixed rates on such obligations range from 1.5% to 3.4% per annum and
   mature on various dates through May 2006.

(3)  According to a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities Exchange Commission
     on or about February 17, 2000, Putnam Investments, Inc. ("PI") may be
     deemed to be the beneficial owner of 833,840 shares of common stock. PI
     is identified as a Parent Holding Company on its Schedule 13G.

(4) According to a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities Exchange Commission
    on or about February 12, 1999 FMR Corp. ("FMR") may be deemed to be the
    beneficial owner of 858,500 shares of common stock. FMR is identified as a
    Parent Holding Company on its Schedule 13G.

(5) Includes 26,000 shares of common stock held of record by the N&J Brenner
    Living Trust, for which Mr. Brenner and his spouse act as trustees, for
    the benefit of members of Mr. Brenner's immediate family, and 29,999
    shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding options
    exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 1999.

(6) Includes an aggregate of 8,050 shares held as trustee on the behalf of
    other family members and 29,999 shares of common stock issuable upon
    exercise of outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of December 31,
    1999.

(7) Includes 126,668 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
    outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 1999.

(8) Includes 61,666 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
    outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 1999.

(9) Includes 13,999 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
    outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 1999.

(10) Includes 32,999 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
     outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 1999.

(11) Includes 29,332 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
     outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 1999.

(12) Includes 324,662 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
     outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 1999.

                                      42
<PAGE>

                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

   Upon the completion of this offering, we are authorized to issue 25,000,000
shares of common stock, no par value of which there were 9,163,998 shares of
common stock outstanding as of December 31, 1999.

   The following description of our common stock is not complete and is subject
to and qualified in its entirety by our amended and restated articles of
incorporation and bylaws and by the provisions of applicable California Law.

   Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to
be voted upon by the shareholders. Holders of common stock have cumulative
voting rights in the election of directors. Accordingly, provided notice of the
intention to use cumulative voting has been given at the meeting prior to
voting, a shareholder may give one candidate a number of votes equal to the
number of directors to be elected multiplied by the number of votes to which
the shareholder's shares are entitled, or distribute the shareholder's votes on
the same principle among as many candidates as the shareholder may select.

   Holders of the common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be
declared from time to time by the board of directors out of funds legally
available therefor. In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of Nanometrics, the holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in
all assets legally available for distribution.

   Our transfer agent and register is U.S. Stock Transfer Corporation.

                                       43
<PAGE>

                                  UNDERWRITING

   Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement
dated the date hereof, each underwriter named below has severally agreed to
purchase, and Nanometrics and the selling shareholders have agreed to sell to
such underwriter, the number of shares set forth opposite the name of such
underwriter.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Number of
Name                                                                    Shares
- ----                                                                   ---------
<S>                                                                    <C>
Salomon Smith Barney Inc..............................................
SoundView Technology Group, Inc.......................................
Tucker Anthony Inc....................................................
Needham & Company, Inc................................................
                                                                       ---------
  Total............................................................... 3,500,000
                                                                       =========
</TABLE>

   The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several
underwriters to purchase the shares included in this offering are subject to
approval of certain legal matters by counsel and to certain other conditions.
The underwriters are obligated to purchase all the shares (other than those
covered by the over-allotment option described below) if they purchase any of
the shares.

   The underwriters, for whom Salomon Smith Barney Inc., SoundView Technology
Group, Inc., Tucker Anthony Inc. and Needham & Company, Inc. are acting as
representatives, propose to offer some of the shares directly to the public at
the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and
some of the shares to certain dealers at the public offering price less a
concession not in excess of $      per share. The underwriters may allow, and
such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of $      per share on
sales to certain other dealers. If all of the shares are not sold at the
initial offering price, the representatives may change the public offering
price and the other selling terms.

   Nanometrics and a selling shareholder have granted to the underwriters an
option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase
up to 525,000 additional shares of common stock at the public offering price
less the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise such option
solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, in connection with
this offering. To the extent such option is exercised, each underwriter will be
obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase a number of additional
shares approximately proportionate to such underwriter's initial purchase
commitment.

   Nanometrics, its officers and directors and the selling shareholders have
agreed that, for a period of 90 days from the date of this prospectus, they
will not, without the prior written consent of Salomon Smith Barney Inc.,
dispose of or hedge any shares of common stock of Nanometrics or any securities
convertible into or exchangeable for common stock. Salomon Smith Barney Inc. in
its sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up
agreements at any time without notice. The common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq
National Market under the symbol "NANO".

   The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions to be
paid to the underwriters by Nanometrics and the selling shareholders in
connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming both no
exercise and full exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional
shares of common stock.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Paid by       Paid by Selling
                                                Nanometrics       Shareholder
                                             ----------------- -----------------
                                                No      Full      No      Full
                                             Exercise Exercise Exercise Exercise
                                             -------- -------- -------- --------
   <S>                                       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
   Per share................................  $        $        $        $
   Total....................................  $        $        $        $
</TABLE>

   In connection with the offering, Salomon Smith Barney Inc., on behalf of the
underwriters, may purchase and sell shares of common stock in the open market.
These transactions may include over-allotment, syndicate

                                       44
<PAGE>

covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Over-allotment involves
syndicate sales of common stock in excess of the number of shares to be
purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short
position. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the common stock
in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover
syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or
purchases of common stock made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a
decline in the market price of the common stock while the offering is in
progress.

   The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the
underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when
Salomon Smith Barney Inc., in covering syndicate short positions or making
stabilizing purchases, repurchases shares originally sold by that syndicate
member.

   Any of these activities may cause the price of the common stock to be higher
than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of
such transactions. These transactions may be effected on the Nasdaq National
Market or in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise and, if commenced, may
be discontinued at any time.

   In addition, in connection with this offering, certain of the underwriters
(and selling group members) may engage in passive market making transactions in
the common stock on the Nasdaq National Market, prior to the pricing and
completion of the offering. Passive market making consists of displaying bids
on the Nasdaq National Market no higher than the bid prices of independent
market makers and making purchases at prices no higher than those independent
bids and effected in response to order flow. Net purchases by a passive market
maker on each day are limited to a specified percentage of the passive market
maker's average daily trading volume in the common stock during a specified
period and must be discontinued when such limit is reached. Passive market
making may cause the price of the common stock to be higher than the price that
otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of such transactions.
If passive market making is commenced, it may be discontinued at any time.

   A prospectus in electronic format is being made available on an Internet web
site maintained by Wit Capital Corporation, an affiliate of SoundView
Technology Group, Inc. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the
information on this web site and any other web site maintained by Wit Capital
Corporation is not part of the prospectus or registration statement, has not
been approved or endorsed by Nanometrics or any underwriter in its capacity as
underwriter and should not be relied upon by investors.

   Nanometrics will pay the expenses of this offering, estimated to be
$800,000.

   Nanometrics and the selling shareholders have agreed to indemnify the
underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be
required to make in respect of any of those liabilities.

                                       45
<PAGE>

                                 LEGAL MATTERS

   The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for
Nanometrics by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation,
Palo Alto, California. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the
underwriters by Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP, San Francisco, California.

                                    EXPERTS

   The consolidated financial statements of Nanometrics Incorporated and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1999 and for each of the three years
in the period ended December 31, 1999 included in this prospectus and
incorporated by reference from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and
the related consolidated financial statement schedule incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement from the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as
stated in their reports appearing herein and incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement, and have been so included and incorporated in reliance
upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.

                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

   We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC.

   Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC's
website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file
with the SEC at its Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. You can also obtain copies of the documents at
prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-
0330 for further information on the operation of its Public Reference Room.

                   INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

   The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" into this prospectus the
information we have filed with it. The information incorporated by reference
is an important part of this prospectus and the information that we file
subsequently with the SEC will automatically update this prospectus. The
information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this
prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any
filings we make with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, after the initial filing of this registration
statement that contains this prospectus and prior to the time that all the
securities offered by this prospectus are sold:

  . Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
    1999; and

  . Our Report on Form 8-K filed on February 15, 2000.

   You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or
telephoning us at the following address:

                           Nanometrics Incorporated
                                  Paul Nolan
                            Chief Financial Officer
                              310 DeGuigne Drive
                          Sunnyvale, California 94086
                                (408) 746-1600

   The information in the documents incorporated by reference shall be deemed
superseded to the extent that more current information is included in this
prospectus or any future document incorporated herein.

                                      46
<PAGE>


                         NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

                INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

                                      F-1
<PAGE>


                       INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Nanometrics Incorporated

   We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Nanometrics
Incorporated and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1999, and the related
consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity and comprehensive
income, and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1999. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the
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, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Nanometrics Incorporated and
subsidiaries at December 31, 1998 and 1999, and the results of their operations
and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1999 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

San Jose, California

February 15, 2000

                                      F-2
<PAGE>


                         NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

                        CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                   (In thousands, except share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                December 31,
                                                               ----------------
                                                                1998     1999
                                                               -------  -------
<S>                                                            <C>      <C>
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents................................... $ 1,518  $ 3,442
  Short-term investments......................................   9,913   14,698
  Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $420 and $425 in
   1998 and 1999, respectively................................   8,458   11,435
  Inventories.................................................  11,719    9,460
  Deferred income taxes.......................................   1,441    1,722
  Prepaid expenses and other..................................   2,328    1,196
                                                               -------  -------
    Total current assets......................................  35,377   41,953
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, Net............................   2,481    2,998
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES.........................................     560      135
OTHER ASSETS..................................................     887    1,324
                                                               -------  -------
    TOTAL ASSETS.............................................. $39,305  $46,410
                                                               =======  =======
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable............................................ $ 1,395  $ 2,412
  Accrued payroll and related expenses........................     317      751
  Other current liabilities...................................   1,720    1,721
  Income taxes payable........................................     --       464
  Current portion of debt obligations.........................   1,324      584
                                                               -------  -------
    Total current liabilities.................................   4,756    5,932
DEFERRED RENT.................................................      43       35
DEBT OBLIGATIONS..............................................   2,496    2,288
                                                               -------  -------
    Total liabilities.........................................   7,295    8,255
                                                               -------  -------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 8)
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Common stock, no par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized;
   8,690,643 and 9,163,998 outstanding in 1998 and 1999,
   respectively...............................................  14,170   17,277
  Retained earnings...........................................  17,974   20,608
  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)...............    (134)     270
                                                               -------  -------
    Total shareholders' equity................................  32,010   38,155
                                                               -------  -------
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY................ $39,305  $46,410
                                                               =======  =======
</TABLE>

              See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      F-3
<PAGE>


                         NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                 (In thousands, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Years Ended December
                                                                31,
                                                      -------------------------
                                                       1997     1998     1999
                                                      -------  -------  -------
<S>                                                   <C>      <C>      <C>
NET REVENUES:
  Product sales...................................... $32,767  $29,718  $32,162
  Service............................................   3,890    3,546    4,246
                                                      -------  -------  -------
    Total net revenues...............................  36,657   33,264   36,408
                                                      -------  -------  -------
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
  Cost of product sales..............................  12,092   13,002   14,606
  Cost of service....................................   3,632    3,669    4,560
  Research and development...........................   2,986    4,206    4,658
  Acquired in-process research and development.......     --     1,421      --
  Selling............................................   6,050    5,728    5,871
  General and administrative.........................   2,765    2,828    2,973
                                                      -------  -------  -------
    Total costs and expenses.........................  27,525   30,854   32,668
                                                      -------  -------  -------
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS...............................   9,132    2,410    3,740
                                                      -------  -------  -------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
  Interest income....................................     535      572      662
  Interest expense...................................    (110)    (108)    (180)
  Other, net.........................................    (175)      64       94
                                                      -------  -------  -------
    Total other income, net..........................     250      528      576
                                                      -------  -------  -------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES...........................   9,382    2,938    4,316
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES...........................   3,625    1,108    1,682
                                                      -------  -------  -------
NET INCOME........................................... $ 5,757  $ 1,830  $ 2,634
                                                      =======  =======  =======
NET INCOME PER SHARE:
  Basic.............................................. $  0.69  $  0.21  $  0.30
                                                      =======  =======  =======
  Diluted............................................ $  0.65  $  0.20  $  0.28
                                                      =======  =======  =======
SHARES USED IN PER SHARE COMPUTATION:
  Basic..............................................   8,325    8,635    8,829
                                                      =======  =======  =======
  Diluted............................................   8,820    9,041    9,393
                                                      =======  =======  =======
</TABLE>

              See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      F-4
<PAGE>


                         NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

                         AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

                   (In thousands, except share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Accumulated
                            Common Stock                 Other         Total
                          ----------------- Retained Comprehensive Shareholders' Comprehensive
                           Shares   Amount  Earnings Income(Loss)     Equity        Income
                          --------- ------- -------- ------------- ------------- -------------
<S>                       <C>       <C>     <C>      <C>           <C>           <C>
BALANCES, January 1,
 1997...................  8,258,061 $11,833 $10,387      $(160)       $22,060
Comprehensive income:
 Net income.............        --      --    5,757        --           5,757       $5,757
 Other comprehensive
  loss, net of tax:
 Foreign currency
  translation
  adjustments...........        --      --      --        (607)          (607)        (607)
                                                                                    ------
   Comprehensive
    income..............        --      --      --         --             --        $5,150
                                                                                    ======
Issuance of common stock
 under employee stock
 purchase plan..........     24,482     112     --         --             112
Issuance of common stock
 under stock option
 plan...................    238,941     478     --         --             478
Tax benefit of employee
 stock transactions.....        --      728     --         --             728
                          --------- ------- -------      -----        -------
BALANCES, December 31,
 1997...................  8,521,484  13,151  16,144       (767)        28,528
Comprehensive income:
 Net income.............        --      --    1,830        --           1,830       $1,830
 Other comprehensive
  income, net of tax:
 Foreign currency
  translation
  adjustments...........        --      --      --         633            633          633
                                                                                    ------
   Comprehensive
    income..............        --      --      --         --             --        $2,463
                                                                                    ======
Issuance of common stock
 under employee stock
 purchase plan..........     18,006     124     --         --             124
Issuance of common stock
 under stock option
 plan...................    151,153     576     --         --             576
Tax benefit of employee
 stock transactions.....        --      319     --         --             319
                          --------- ------- -------      -----        -------
BALANCES, December 31,
 1998...................  8,690,643  14,170  17,974       (134)        32,010
Comprehensive income:
 Net income.............        --      --    2,634        --           2,634       $2,634
 Other comprehensive
  income (loss), net of
  tax:
 Foreign currency
  translation
  adjustments...........        --      --      --         422            422          422
 Unrealized loss on
  investments...........        --      --      --         (18)           (18)         (18)
                                                                                    ------
   Comprehensive
    income..............        --      --      --         --             --        $3,038
                                                                                    ======
Issuance of common stock
 under employee stock
 purchase plan..........     28,937     148     --         --             148
Issuance of common stock
 under stock option
 plan...................    444,418   1,936     --         --           1,936
Tax benefit of employee
 stock transactions.....        --    1,023     --         --           1,023
                          --------- ------- -------      -----        -------
BALANCES, December 31,
 1999...................  9,163,998 $17,277 $20,608      $ 270        $38,155
                          ========= ======= =======      =====        =======
</TABLE>

              See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      F-5
<PAGE>


                         NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                              (In thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          December 31,
                                                   ----------------------------
                                                     1997      1998      1999
                                                   --------  --------  --------
<S>                                                <C>       <C>       <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income.....................................  $  5,757  $  1,830  $  2,634
  Reconciliation of net income to net cash
   provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization................       213       298       359
    Deferred rent................................        13        26        (8)
    Acquired in-process research and
     development.................................       --      1,421       --
    Deferred income taxes........................      (588)     (573)      174
    Changes in assets and liabilities, net of
     effects of product line acquisition:
      Accounts receivable........................        93     2,805    (2,496)
      Inventories................................    (2,322)   (2,751)    2,449
      Prepaid income taxes.......................       --     (1,325)    1,325
      Prepaid expenses and other.................      (218)       93      (178)
      Accounts payable, accrueds and other
       current liabilities.......................     1,238    (1,355)    1,341
      Income taxes payable.......................        26       416     1,462
                                                   --------  --------  --------
        Net cash provided by operating
         activities..............................     4,212       885     7,062
                                                   --------  --------  --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchases of short-term investments............   (18,152)  (17,790)  (22,575)
  Sales/maturities of short-term investments.....    15,214    17,472    17,760
  Purchases of property, plant and equipment.....       (97)     (167)     (511)
  Other assets...................................       (17)      (50)     (536)
  Product line acquisition.......................       --     (3,225)      --
                                                   --------  --------  --------
        Net cash used in investing activities....    (3,052)   (3,760)   (5,862)
                                                   --------  --------  --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from issuance of debt obligations.....       329       761        90
  Repayments of debt obligations.................      (329)     (660)   (1,358)
  Sale of shares under employee stock purchase
   and stock option plans........................       590       700     2,084
                                                   --------  --------  --------
        Net cash provided by financing
         activities..............................       590       801       816
                                                   --------  --------  --------
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH..........       181       (64)      (92)
                                                   --------  --------  --------
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS..........     1,931    (2,138)    1,924
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, Beginning of year.....     1,725     3,656     1,518
                                                   --------  --------  --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, End of year...........  $  3,656  $  1,518  $  3,442
                                                   ========  ========  ========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
  Cash paid for interest.........................  $    117  $     92  $     72
                                                   ========  ========  ========
  Cash paid for income taxes.....................  $  4,192  $  2,558  $     82
                                                   ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>

              See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      F-6
<PAGE>


                         NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1998 AND 1999

1. Significant Accounting Policies

   Description of Business--Nanometrics Incorporated and its wholly-owned
subsidiaries sell, design, manufacture, market and support thin film and
overlay dimension metrology systems for customers in the semiconductor, flat
panel display and magnetic recording head industries. These metrology systems
precisely measure a wide range of film types deposited on substrates during
manufacturing in order to control manufacturing processes and increase
production yields in the fabrication of integrated circuits, flat panel
displays and magnetic recording heads. The thin film metrology systems use a
broad spectrum of wavelengths, high-sensitivity optics, proprietary software
and patented technology to measure the thickness and uniformity of films
deposited on silicon and other substrates as well as their chemical
composition. The overlay metrology systems are used to measure the overlay
accuracy of successive layers of semiconductor patterns on wafers in the
photolithography process.

   Basis of Presentation--The consolidated financial statements include
Nanometrics Incorporated and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the Company). All
significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.

   Use of Estimates--The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

   Fiscal Year--The Company uses a 52/53 week fiscal year ending on the
Saturday nearest to December 31. Accordingly, fiscal years 1997, 1998 and 1999
ended on January 3, 1998, January 2, 1999, and January 1, 2000, and consisted
of 53, 52 and 52 weeks, respectively. For purposes of the consolidated
financial statements, the year end is denoted as December 31. All references to
years relate to fiscal years rather than calendar years.

   Cash and Cash Equivalents--Cash and cash equivalents include cash and highly
liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less when
purchased.

   Short-Term Investments--Short-term investments consist of United States
Treasury bills and are stated at fair value based on quoted market prices.
Short-term investments are classified as available-for-sale based on the
Company's intended use. The difference between amortized cost and fair value
representing unrealized holding gains or losses are recorded as a component of
shareholders' equity as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Gains
and losses on sales of investments are determined on a specific identification
basis.

   Fair Value of Financial Instruments--Financial instruments include cash
equivalents, short-term investments and debt obligations. Cash equivalents and
short-term investments are stated at fair market value based on quoted market
prices. The recorded carrying amount of the Company's debt obligations
approximates fair market value.

   Inventories--Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-
out) or market.

                                      F-7
<PAGE>


                         NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)

               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1998 AND 1999

   Property, Plant and Equipment--Property, plant and equipment are stated at
cost. Depreciation is computed using straight line and accelerated methods over
the following estimated useful lives of the assets:

<TABLE>
   <S>                                                              <C>
   Building........................................................ 15--45 years
   Machinery and equipment.........................................  3-- 7 years
   Furniture and fixtures..........................................  5--15 years
</TABLE>

Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful
lives of the improvements or the lease term.

   Goodwill and Intangible Assets--The Company amortizes goodwill and acquired
intangible assets (included in other assets) using the straight-line method
over an estimated useful life of five years.

   Long-Lived Assets--The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment
using an undiscounted cash flow method whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be
recoverable.

   Income Taxes--Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary
differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for
financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes and
operating loss and tax credit carryforwards measured by applying currently
enacted tax laws. A valuation allowance is provided when necessary to reduce
deferred tax assets to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized.

   Revenue Recognition--Revenues are recognized when persuasive evidence of an
arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the
price is fixed and determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. For
product sales, this generally occurs at the time of shipment, and for revenues
from service work, this generally occurs when the work is performed. Revenues
from service contracts are recognized ratably over the period under contract.
The Company sells the majority of its product with a one-year repair or
replacement warranty and records a provision for estimated claims at the time
of sale.

   Stock-Based Compensation--The Company accounts for stock-based awards to
employees using the intrinsic value method in accordance with Accounting
Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees.

   Foreign Currency--The functional currencies of the Company's foreign
subsidiaries are the local currencies. Accordingly, translation adjustments for
the subsidiaries have been included in shareholders' equity. Gains and losses
from transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional
currencies of the Company or its subsidiaries are included in other income and
expense and consist of losses of $217,000 for 1997 and $13,000 for 1998 and a
gain of $91,000 for 1999.

   Net Income Per Share--Basic net income per share excludes dilution and is
computed by dividing net income by the number of weighted average common shares
outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per share reflects the potential
dilution from outstanding dilutive stock options (using the treasury stock
method) and shares issuable under the employee stock purchase plan.

   Recently Issued Accounting Standards--In June 1998, the Financial Accounting
Standards Board issued SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities. This statement requires companies to record derivatives on
the balance sheet as assets or liabilities, measured at fair value. Gains or
losses resulting from changes in the values of those derivatives would be
accounted for depending on the use of

                                      F-8
<PAGE>


                         NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)

               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1998 AND 1999

the derivative and whether it qualifies for hedge accounting. SFAS No. 133 will
be effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year
2001. Although the Company has not fully assessed the implications of SFAS No.
133, management does not believe the adoption of this statement will have a
significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of
operations or cash flows.

   In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released
Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 101, Revenue Recognition in Financial
Statements. This bulletin summarizes certain interpretations and practices
followed by the Division of Corporation Finance and the Office of the Chief
Accountant of the SEC in administering the disclosure requirements of the
Federal securities laws in applying generally accepted accounting principles to
revenue recognition in financial statements. Application of the accounting and
disclosures desired in the bulletin is required by the first quarter of fiscal
2000. Although the Company has not fully assessed the implications of SAB No.
101, management does not believe adoption of this bulletin will have a
significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of
operations or cash flows.

   Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties--Financial instruments which
potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist of cash
and cash equivalents, short-term investments and accounts receivable. Cash and
cash equivalents and short-term investments are held primarily with two
financial institutions and consist primarily of cash in bank accounts and
United States Treasury bills. The Company sells its products primarily to end
users in the United States and Asia, and generally does not require its
customers to provide collateral or other security to support accounts
receivable. Management performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers'
financial condition. The Company maintains allowances for estimated potential
bad debt losses.

   The Company participates in a dynamic high technology industry and believes
that changes in any of the following areas could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's future financial position, results of operations or cash
flows; advances and trends in new technologies and industry standards;
competitive pressures in the form of new products or price reductions on
current products; changes in product mix; changes in the overall demand for
products offered by the Company; changes in third-party manufacturers; changes
in key suppliers; changes in certain strategic relationships or customer
relationships; litigation or claims against the Company based on intellectual
property, patent, product, regulatory or other factors; fluctuations in foreign
currency exchange rates; risk associated with changes in domestic and
international economic and/or political regulations; availability of necessary
components or subassemblies; disruption of manufacturing facilities; and the
Company's ability to attract and retain employees necessary to support its
growth.

   The Company's customer base is highly concentrated. A relatively small
number of customers have accounted for a significant portion of the Company's
revenues. In 1999, aggregate revenue from the Company's top ten largest
customers comprised approximately 59.5% of the Company's total net revenues.

   Certain components and subassemblies used in the Company's products are
purchased from a sole supplier or a limited group of suppliers. In particular,
the Company currently purchases its spectroscopic ellipsometer, Fourier
transform infrared reflectometry spectrometer and robotics used in its advanced
measurement systems from a sole supplier or a limited group of suppliers. Any
shortage or interruption in the supply of any of the components or
subassemblies used in the Company's products or the inability of the Company to
procure these components or subassemblies from alternate sources on acceptable
terms, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations.

                                      F-9
<PAGE>


                         NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)

               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1998 AND 1999

2. Product Line Acquisition

     On March 30, 1998, the Company purchased from Optical Specialties, Inc.
  (OSI) a metrology system product line and related assets used to measure
  the critical dimensions and overlay registration errors observed in
  submicron photolithography. Under the agreement, the Company paid
  approximately $3,225,000 in cash for the assets and in-process research and
  development. The total purchase price and allocation among the tangible and
  intangible assets and liabilities acquired (including acquired in-process
  research and development) is summarized as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
   <S>                                                                   <C>
   Total purchase price--cash consideration............................  $3,225
                                                                         ======
   Purchase price allocation:
     Tangible assets...................................................  $1,923
     Intangible assets:
       Core and developed technology...................................     419
       Goodwill........................................................     196
     In-process research and development...............................   1,421
     Liabilities.......................................................    (734)
                                                                         ------
         Total purchase price allocation...............................  $3,225
                                                                         ======
</TABLE>

   Net intangible assets as of December 31, 1998 and 1999 of $523,000 and
$400,000, respectively (net of accumulated amortization of $92,000 and
$215,000, respectively), are recorded within other assets in the accompanying
consolidated balance sheet and are being amortized using the straight-line
method over a five-year useful life.

   The purchase price allocation and intangible valuation was based on
management's estimates of the after tax net cash flows and gave explicit
consideration to the SEC's views on acquired in-process research and
development as set forth in its September 9, 1998 letter to the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Specifically, the valuation gave
consideration to the following: (i) the employment of a fair market value
premise excluding any Nanometrics-specific considerations which could result in
estimates of investment value for the subject assets; and (ii) comprehensive
due diligence concerning all potential intangible assets including
trademarks/tradenames, patents, copyrights, noncompete agreements, assembled
workforce and customer relationships and sales channel. The value of core
technology was specifically addressed, with a view toward ensuring the relative
allocations to core technology and in-process research and development were
consistent with the relative contributions of each to the final product. The
allocation to in-process research and development was based on a calculation
that considered only the efforts completed as of the transaction date, and only
the cash flow associated with said completed efforts for the products currently
in process.

   As indicated above, the Company recorded a one-time charge of $1,421,000 in
the first quarter of 1998 for acquired in-process research and development
related to the Metra 7000 development project that had not reached
technological feasibility, had no alternative future use and for which
successful development was uncertain. Management's conclusion that the in-
process development effort, or any material sub-component, had no alternative
future use was reached in consultation with engineering personnel from both the
Company and OSI.

   The project to complete the Metra 7000 product included the completion of a
software platform design started by OSI in 1997. As of the acquisition date,
the Metra 7000 had yet to achieve technological feasibility since there was not
a working prototype with a reliable new software design. At the time of
acquisition, the

                                      F-10
<PAGE>


                         NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)

               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1998 AND 1999

estimated cost to complete this software and related development was
approximately $300,000. The Company began shipments of the Metra 7000 product
to a customer in June 1998 and it was at that time that the Company began to
benefit from the acquired research and development related to the product.

   Significant assumptions used to determine the value of in-process research
and development included several factors, including the following: (i) forecast
of net cash flows that were expected to result from the development effort
using projections prepared by the Company's management; (ii) percentage
complete of 77% for the Metra 7000 project estimated by considering a number of
factors, including the costs invested to date relative to total cost of the
development effort and the amount of progress completed as of the acquisition
date, on a technological basis, relative to the overall technological
achievements required to achieve the inacquisition functionality of the
eventual product. The technological issues were addressed by engineering
representatives from both the Company and OSI, and when estimating the value of
the technology, the projected financial results of the acquired assets were
estimated on a stand-alone basis without any consideration to potential
synergic benefits or "investment value" related to the acquisition.

   Accordingly, separate projected cash flows were prepared for both the
existing as well as the in-process Metra 7000 products. These projected results
were based on the number of units sold times average selling price less the
associated costs. After preparing the estimated cash flow from the product
being developed, a portion of this cash flow was attributed to the core
technology, which was embodied in the in-process Metra 7000 product line and
enabled a quicker and more cost effective development of the Metra 7000. When
estimating the value of the developed, core and in-process technologies,
discount rates of 25%, 30% and 35%, respectively, were used. These discount
rates considered both the status and risk associated with the respective cash
flows as of the acquisition date.

   In the first quarter of 1998, the Company also hired certain former
employees of OSI and incurred approximately $350,000 in related nonrecurring
hiring expenses. Such expenses are classified in the accompanying 1998
consolidated statement of income according to the employees' functions.

3. Inventories

   Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  December 31,
                                                                 --------------
                                                                  1998    1999
                                                                 ------- ------
   <S>                                                           <C>     <C>
   Finished goods............................................... $ 5,607 $4,593
   Work in process..............................................   2,253  1,092
   Raw materials and subassemblies..............................   3,859  3,775
                                                                 ------- ------
     Total inventories.......................................... $11,719 $9,460
                                                                 ======= ======
</TABLE>

                                      F-11
<PAGE>


                         NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)

               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1998 AND 1999

4. Property, Plant and Equipment

   Property, plant and equipment consists of the following (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 December 31,
                                                                 --------------
                                                                  1998    1999
                                                                 ------  ------
   <S>                                                           <C>     <C>
   Land......................................................... $  949  $1,054
   Building.....................................................  2,863   3,183
   Machinery and equipment......................................  1,096   1,462
   Furniture and fixtures.......................................    380     446
   Leasehold improvements.......................................    453     466
                                                                 ------  ------
                                                                  5,741   6,611
   Accumulated depreciation and amortization.................... (3,260) (3,613)
                                                                 ------  ------
   Total property, plant and equipment, net..................... $2,481  $2,998
                                                                 ======  ======
</TABLE>

5. Other Current Liabilities

   Other current liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  December 31,
                                                                  -------------
                                                                   1998   1999
                                                                  ------ ------
   <S>                                                            <C>    <C>
   Commissions payable..........................................  $  366 $  247
   Accrued warranty.............................................     581    482
   Trade-in allowances..........................................     262    --
   Unearned revenue.............................................      65    384
   Other........................................................     446    608
                                                                  ------ ------
   Total other current liabilities..............................  $1,720 $1,721
                                                                  ====== ======
</TABLE>

6. Debt Obligations

   Debt obligations consist of the following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 December 31,
                                                                 --------------
                                                                  1998    1999
                                                                 ------  ------
   <S>                                                           <C>     <C>
   1995 working capital bank loan............................... $2,292  $2,154
   1996 working capital bank loan...............................    642     620
   Other debt obligations.......................................    886      98
                                                                 ------  ------
     Total......................................................  3,820   2,872
   Current portion of debt obligations.......................... (1,324)   (584)
                                                                 ------  ------
   Debt obligations............................................. $2,496  $2,288
                                                                 ======  ======
</TABLE>

   The 1995 working capital bank loan was obtained by the Company's Japanese
subsidiary. The loan is collateralized by receivables of the Japanese
subsidiary and is guaranteed by the parent, Nanometrics Incorporated. The loan
is denominated in Japanese yen ((Yen)220,000,000 at December 31, 1999) and
bears interest at 3.3% per annum. The loan is payable in quarterly installments
with unpaid principal and interest due in May 2005.

                                      F-12
<PAGE>


                         NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)

               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1998 AND 1999

   The 1996 working capital bank loan was also obtained by the Company's
Japanese subsidiary and is collateralized by land and building. The loan is
denominated in Japanese yen ((Yen)63,200,000 at December 31, 1999) and bears
interest at 3.4% per annum. The loan is payable in quarterly installments with
unpaid principal and interest due in May 2006.

   Other debt obligations represent short-term borrowings by the Company's
Japanese subsidiary which are collateralized by the subsidiary's accounts
receivable. The borrowings are denominated in Japanese yen ((Yen)10,000,000 at
December 31, 1999) and bear interest at rates ranging from 1.5% to 1.625% per
annum. The outstanding borrowings and unpaid interest at December 31, 1999 were
due and paid in January 2000.

   At December 31, 1999, future annual maturities of debt obligations are as
follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
   <S>                                                                    <C>
   2000.................................................................  $  584
   2001.................................................................     486
   2002.................................................................     486
   2003.................................................................     486
   2004.................................................................     486
   Thereafter...........................................................     344
                                                                          ------
     Total..............................................................  $2,872
                                                                          ======
</TABLE>

7. Commitments and Contingencies

   The Company leases manufacturing and administrative facilities and certain
equipment under noncancellable operating leases. The Company's current primary
facility lease expires in April 2002. Rent expense for 1997, 1998 and 1999 was
approximately $583,000, $693,000 and $867,000, respectively. Future minimum
lease payments under the Company's operating leases for each of the years
ending December 31 are as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
   <S>                                                                   <C>
   2000................................................................. $  720
   2001.................................................................    627
   2002................................ ................................    197
   Thereafter...........................................................     15
                                                                         ------
     Total.............................................................. $1,559
                                                                         ======
</TABLE>

   In September 1998, the Company's Korean subsidiary entered into a two-year
lease agreement for manufacturing facilities. The lease payments are based on a
percentage of net product sales, as defined.

   Pursuant to a 1985 agreement, as amended, if the Company's Chairman of the
Board is involuntarily removed from his position, the Company is required to
continue his salary and related benefits for a period of five years from such
date, at his option.

   The high technology industry is characterized by frequent claims and related
litigation regarding patent and other intellectual property rights. The Company
is a party to various claims, legal actions and complaints of this nature.
Although the ultimate outcome of these matters is not presently determinable,
management believes that the resolution of all such pending matters will not
have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of
operations or cash flows.

                                      F-13
<PAGE>


                         NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)

               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1998 AND 1999

8. Shareholders' Equity

Common Stock

   The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 25,000,000 common
shares, of which 22,500,000 shares have been designated "Common Stock" and
2,500,000 shares have been allocated to all other series of common shares,
collectively designated "Junior Common."

Net Income per Share

   The reconciliation of the share denominator used in the basic and diluted
net income per share computations is as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Years Ended
                                                              December 31,
                                                            -----------------
                                                            1997  1998  1999
                                                            ----- ----- -----
   <S>                                                      <C>   <C>   <C>
   Weighted average shares outstanding--shares used in ba-
    sic net income per share computation................... 8,325 8,635 8,829
   Dilutive effect of common stock equivalents, using the
    treasury stock method..................................   495   406   564
                                                            ----- ----- -----
   Shares used in diluted net income per share
    computation............................................ 8,820 9,041 9,393
                                                            ===== ===== =====
</TABLE>

   During 1997, 1998 and 1999, the Company had common stock options outstanding
which could potentially dilute basic net income per share in the future, but
were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share as the
common stock options' exercise prices were greater than the average market
price of the common shares for the period. At December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999,
5,000, 248,000 and 51,000, respectively, of the Company's outstanding common
stock options with a weighted average exercise price of $10.88, $7.88 and
$19.59, respectively, per share were excluded from the diluted net income per
share computation.

Stock Option Plans

   Under the 1991 Stock Option Plan (the Option Plan), as amended, the Company
may grant options to acquire up to 3,000,000 shares of common stock to
employees and consultants at prices not less than the fair market value at date
of grant for incentive stock options and not less than 50% of fair market value
for nonstatutory stock options. These options generally expire five years from
the date of grant and become exercisable as they vest, generally 33.3% upon
each anniversary of the grant, as set forth in the stock option agreements.

   Under the 1991 Directors' Stock Option Plan (the Directors' Plan),
nonemployee directors of the Company are automatically granted options to
acquire 10,000 shares of common stock, at the fair market value at the date of
grant, each year that such person remains a director of the Company. Options
granted under the Directors' Plan become exercisable as they vest 33.3% upon
each anniversary of the grant and expire five years from the date of grant. The
total shares authorized under the Directors' Plan are 300,000.

                                      F-14
<PAGE>


                         NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)

               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1998 AND 1999

   Option activity under the plans is summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Outstanding Options
                                          -------------------------------------
                                                                    Weighted
                                            Shares    Number of     Average
                                          Available    Shares    Exercise Price
                                          ----------  ---------  --------------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>        <C>
Balances, January 1, 1997 (348,514
 exercisable at a weighted average price
 of $2.91)..............................     210,407  1,097,941      $4.08
Additional shares reserved..............   1,500,000        --         --
Exercised...............................         --    (238,941)      2.00
Granted (weighted average fair value of
 $5.17).................................    (488,500)   488,500       9.33
Canceled................................      14,139    (14,139)      4.46
                                          ----------  ---------
Balances, December 31, 1997 (503,267
 exercisable at a weighted average price
 of $4.32)..............................   1,236,046  1,333,361       6.37
Exercised...............................         --    (151,153)      3.81
Granted (weighted average fair value of
 $1.88).................................  (1,395,174) 1,395,174       6.14
Canceled................................     986,949   (986,949)      8.24
                                          ----------  ---------
Balances, December 31, 1998 (745,171
 exercisable at a weighted average price
 of $4.57)..............................     827,821  1,590,433       5.25
Exercised...............................         --    (444,418)      4.36
Granted (weighted average fair value of
 $6.67).................................    (455,000)   455,000      12.06
Canceled................................     106,351   (106,351)      6.65
                                          ----------  ---------
Balances, December 31, 1999.............     479,172  1,494,664      $7.49
                                          ==========  =========
</TABLE>

   During the third quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company approved the
cancellation and reissuance of outstanding options under the Company's stock
options plans. Under the program, holders of outstanding options with exercise
prices in excess of $5.13 per share were given the choice of retaining these
options or of obtaining, in substitution, new options for the same number of
shares. The new options were exercisable at a price of $5.13 per share, the
fair market value of the common stock on the reissue date. The new options
maintained the vesting schedule and expiration dates established by the
canceled option.

   Additional information regarding options outstanding as of December 31, 1999
is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                Options Outstanding        Options Exercisable
                          -------------------------------- --------------------
                                       Weighted
                                        Average
                                       Remaining  Weighted             Average
                                      Contractual Average              Weighted
                            Number       Life     Exercise   Number    Exercise
Range of Exercise Prices  Outstanding   (Years)    Price   Exercisable  Price
- ------------------------  ----------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
<S>                       <C>         <C>         <C>      <C>         <C>
     $ 2.06--$ 5.13          822,662     2.67      $4.95     582,322    $4.88
       5.63--  9.00          449,502     4.44       7.58      83,366     7.49
      15.88-- 20.13          222,500     5.00      16.73         --       --
                           ---------                         -------
     $ 2.06--$20.13        1,494,664     3.55      $7.49     665,688    $5.21
                           =========                         =======
</TABLE>


                                      F-15
<PAGE>


                         NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)

               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1998 AND 1999

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

   Under the 1986 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the Purchase Plan), eligible
employees are allowed to have salary withholdings of up to 10% of their base
compensation to purchase shares of common stock at a price equal to 85% of the
lower of the market value of the stock at the beginning or end of each six-
month offering period, subject to an annual limitation. Shares issued under the
plan were 24,482, 18,006 and 28,937 in 1997, 1998 and 1999 at weighted average
prices of $4.58, $6.87 and $5.10, respectively. The weighted average per share
fair values of the 1997, 1998 and 1999 awards were $4.41, $2.42 and $2.89,
respectively. At December 31, 1999, 25,894 shares were reserved for future
issuances under the Purchase Plan.

Additional Stock Plan Information

   As discussed in Note 1, the Company continues to account for its stock-based
awards using the intrinsic value method in accordance with APB No. 25,
Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and its related interpretations.
Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements for employee stock arrangements.

   SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation requires the
disclosure of pro forma net income and net income per share had the Company
adopted the fair value method as of the beginning of fiscal 1995. Under SFAS
No. 123, the fair value of stock-based awards to employees is calculated
through the use of option pricing models, even though such models were
developed to estimate the fair value of freely tradable, fully transferable
options without vesting restrictions, which differ significantly from the
Company's stock option awards. These models also require subjective
assumptions, including future stock price volatility and expected time to
exercise, which greatly affect the calculated values. The Company's fair value
calculations on stock-based awards under the Option Plan and the Directors'
Plan were made using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following
weighted average assumptions: expected life, three years from the date of grant
in 1997, 1998 and 1999; stock volatility, 80% in 1997, 1998 and 1999; risk free
interest rate, 6.1% in 1997, 5.0% in 1998 and 5.9% in 1999; and no dividends
during the expected term. The Company's calculations are based on a single
option valuation approach and forfeitures are recognized at a historical rate
of 29% for 1997 and 1998, and 24% for 1999. The Company's fair value
calculations on stock-based awards under the Purchase Plan were also made using
the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average
assumptions: expected life, six months in 1997, 1998 and 1999; stock
volatility, 80% in 1997, 1998 and 1999; risk free interest rate, 5.5% in 1997,
5.0% in 1998 and 5.3% in 1999; and no dividends during the expected term.

   If the computed fair values of the stock-based awards after 1995 had been
amortized to expense over the vesting period of the awards, pro forma net
income and net income per share, basic and diluted, would have been as follows
(in thousands except per share amounts):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Years Ended
                                                               December 31,
                                                            -------------------
                                                             1997  1998   1999
                                                            ------ ----- ------
   <S>                                                      <C>    <C>   <C>
   Pro forma net income.................................... $5,057 $ 807 $1,729
   Pro forma net income per share:
     Basic................................................. $ 0.61 $0.09 $ 0.20
     Diluted............................................... $ 0.60 $0.09 $ 0.18
</TABLE>

                                      F-16
<PAGE>


                         NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)

               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1998 AND 1999

9. Income Taxes

   Income before income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Years Ended December
                                                                 31,
                                                         ----------------------
                                                          1997    1998    1999
                                                         ------  ------  ------
   <S>                                                   <C>     <C>     <C>
   Domestic............................................. $9,644  $3,471  $3,928
   Foreign..............................................   (262)   (533)    388
                                                         ------  ------  ------
   Income before income taxes........................... $9,382  $2,938  $4,316
                                                         ======  ======  ======
</TABLE>

   The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Years Ended December
                                                                 31,
                                                         ----------------------
                                                          1997    1998    1999
                                                         ------  ------  ------
   <S>                                                   <C>     <C>     <C>
   Current:
     Federal............................................ $3,080  $  840  $1,127
     State..............................................    884     148     186
     Foreign............................................    181      16     195
                                                         ------  ------  ------
                                                          4,145   1,004   1,508
                                                         ======  ======  ======
   Deferred:
     Federal............................................   (574)    161      71
     State..............................................      9     166    (128)
     Foreign............................................     45    (223)    231
                                                         ------  ------  ------
                                                          (520)     104     174
                                                         ------  ------  ------
   Provision for income taxes........................... $3,625  $1,108  $1,682
                                                         ======  ======  ======
</TABLE>

   Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets are as follows
(in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                December 31,
                                                                --------------
                                                                 1998    1999
                                                                ------  ------
   <S>                                                          <C>     <C>
   Deferred tax assets--current:
     Reserves and accruals not currently deductible............ $  978  $1,307
     Capitalized inventory costs...............................    201     161
     Net operating loss carryforwards..........................    246     338
     Tax credit carryforwards..................................     16     147
                                                                ------  ------
   Total gross deferred tax assets--current....................  1,441   1,953
   Valuation allowance.........................................    --     (231)
                                                                ------  ------
   Total net deferred tax assets--current...................... $1,441  $1,722
                                                                ------  ------
   Deferred tax assets--noncurrent:
     Depreciation.............................................. $  (25) $  (69)
     Goodwill and capitalized acquired technology..............    553     391
     Translation adjustments...................................    --     (225)
     Other.....................................................     32      38
                                                                ------  ------
   Total net deferred tax assets--noncurrent................... $  560  $  135
                                                                ======  ======
</TABLE>

                                      F-17
<PAGE>


                         NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)

               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1998 AND 1999

   Due to continuing losses in its Japanese subsidiary during the year ended
December 31, 1999, the Company determined that it was more likely than not that
future tax benefits from the deferred tax assets of the Japanese subsidiary
would not be realized. Accordingly, as of December 31, 1999, the Company has
provided a full valuation allowance of $231,000 against the net deferred tax
assets of its Japanese subsidiary.

   As of December 31, 1999, the Company has available for carryforward net
operating losses of approximately $800,000 generated by the Company's Japanese
subsidiary. The net operating loss carryforwards will expire if not utilized
beginning in the years 2002 through 2004.

   Differences between income taxes computed by applying the statutory federal
income tax rate to income before income taxes and the provision for income
taxes consist of the following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Years Ended December
                                                               31,
                                                       ----------------------
                                                        1997    1998    1999
                                                       ------  ------  ------
   <S>                                                 <C>     <C>     <C>
   Income taxes computed at 35% U.S. statutory rate... $3,284  $1,028  $1,511
   State income taxes.................................    589     207      58
   Foreign tax provision (benefit) higher than U.S.
    rates.............................................    --      (74)     59
   Foreign sales corporation benefit..................   (274)    (99)   (228)
   Change in valuation allowance......................    --      --      231
   Other, net.........................................     26      46      51
                                                       ------  ------  ------
   Provision for income taxes......................... $3,625  $1,108  $1,682
                                                       ======  ======  ======
</TABLE>

10. Profit-Sharing and Retirement and Bonus Plans

   No contributions were made by the Company in 1997, 1998 and 1999 to the
Company's discretionary profit-sharing and retirement plan. The Company paid
$678,000, $688,000 and $92,000 in 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively, under
formal discretionary cash bonus plans which cover all eligible employees.

11. Major Customers

   In 1997, sales to one customer accounted for approximately 11.4% of total
revenues. In 1998, sales to another customer accounted for approximately 11.2%
of total revenues. In 1999, sales to two other customers accounted for
approximately 12.8% and 10.5% of total revenues, respectively.

   At December 31, 1998, no single customer accounted for 10.0% or more of
accounts receivable. The customer accounting for 12.8% of total revenues in
1999 also accounted for 11.8% of accounts receivable, at December 31, 1999.

12. Product, Segment and Geographic Information

   The Company's operating divisions consist of its geographically based
entities in the United States, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. All such
operating divisions have similar economic characteristics, as defined in SFAS
No. 131, "Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information",
and accordingly, the Company operates in one reportable segment: the sale,
design, manufacture, marketing and support of thin film and overlay dimension
metrology systems. For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, the
Company recorded revenue from customers throughout the United States, Canada,
Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Italy, Sweden,

                                      F-18
<PAGE>


                         NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)

               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1998 AND 1999

   Israel, Japan, South Korea, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia
and Malaysia. The following table summarizes total net revenues and long-lived
assets attributed to significant countries (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Years Ended December
                                                                   31,
                                                         -----------------------
                                                          1997    1998    1999
                                                         ------- ------- -------
   <S>                                                   <C>     <C>     <C>
   Total net revenues:
     United States...................................... $14,539 $12,698 $14,225
     Japan..............................................  10,086   9,167  11,594
     Korea..............................................   5,954   2,596   2,991
     Taiwan.............................................   2,583   3,404   4,967
     Germany............................................   1,763   4,784   2,340
     All other..........................................   1,732     615     291
                                                         ------- ------- -------
       Total net revenues*.............................. $36,657 $33,264 $36,408
                                                         ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  December 31,
                                                                  -------------
                                                                   1998   1999
                                                                  ------ ------
   <S>                                                            <C>    <C>
   Long-lived assets:
     United States............................................... $1,439 $1,716
     Japan.......................................................  2,419  2,569
     Korea.......................................................     59     81
     Taiwan......................................................     11     91
                                                                  ------ ------
       Total long-lived assets................................... $3,928 $4,457
                                                                  ====== ======
</TABLE>
- --------

* Net revenues are attributed to countries based on the deployment and service
   locations of systems.

   The Company's product lines differ primarily based on the environment the
systems will be used in. Automated systems are used primarily in high-volume
production environments. Integrated systems are installed inside wafer
processing equipment to provide near real-time measurements for improving
process control and increasing throughput. Tabletop systems are used primarily
in low-volume production environments and in engineering labs where automated
handling and high throughput are not required. Sales by product type were as
follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Years Ended December
                                                                   31,
                                                         -----------------------
                                                          1997    1998    1999
                                                         ------- ------- -------
   <S>                                                   <C>     <C>     <C>
   Automated systems.................................... $21,982 $21,694 $20,885
   Integrated systems...................................     --      120   3,953
   Tabletop systems.....................................  10,785   7,904   7,324
                                                         ------- ------- -------
     Total product sales................................ $32,767 $29,718 $32,162
                                                         ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>

                                      F-19
<PAGE>


                         NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)

               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1998 AND 1999

13. Selected Quarterly Financial Results (Unaudited)

   The following tables set forth selected quarterly results of operations for
the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1999 (in thousands, except per share
amounts):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Quarters Ended
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Mar. 31, Jun. 30, Sep. 30, Dec. 31,
                                              1998     1998     1998     1998
                                            -------- -------- -------- --------
<S>                                         <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Total net revenues......................... $10,538  $10,728   $7,005   $4,993
Gross profit...............................   5,924    5,732    3,357    1,580
Income (loss) from operations..............     915    2,446      491   (1,442)
Net income (loss)..........................     624    1,495      394     (683)
Net income (loss) per share:
  Basic.................................... $  0.07  $  0.17   $ 0.05   $(0.08)
  Diluted.................................. $  0.07  $  0.17   $ 0.04   $(0.08)
Shares used in per share computation:
  Basic....................................   8,545    8,641    8,669    8,686
  Diluted..................................   8,978    9,003    9,074    8,686
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Quarters Ended
                                                 ------------------------------
                                                           Jun.   Sep.   Dec.
                                                 Mar. 31,  30,    30,     31,
                                                   1999    1999   1999   1999
                                                 -------- ------ ------ -------
<S>                                              <C>      <C>    <C>    <C>
Total net revenues..............................  $6,189  $7,523 $9,821 $12,875
Gross profit....................................   2,533   3,522  4,669   6,518
Income (loss) from operations...................    (401)    395  1,321   2,425
Net income (loss)...............................    (201)    304    900   1,631
Net income (loss) per share:
  Basic.........................................  $(0.02) $ 0.03 $ 0.10 $  0.18
  Diluted.......................................  $(0.02) $ 0.03 $ 0.10 $  0.17
Shares used in per share computation:
  Basic.........................................   8,701   8,757  8,823   9,033
  Diluted.......................................   8,701   9,177  9,347   9,842
</TABLE>

                                      F-20
<PAGE>

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

                                3,500,000 Shares

                            Nanometrics Incorporated

                                  Common Stock

                             [LOGO OF NANOMETRICS]

                                   --------
                                   PROSPECTUS
                                        , 2000

                                   --------

                              Salomon Smith Barney

                                 Wit SoundView

                           Tucker Anthony Cleary Gull

                            Needham & Company, Inc.

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

                                    PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

   The fees and expenses incurred by the registrant in connection with the
offering are payable by the registrant and, other than registration, filing and
listing fees, are estimated as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                    <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee................... $ 22,880
NASD Filing Fee.......................................................    9,167
Nasdaq Fee for Listing of Additional Shares...........................   40,250
Legal Fees and Expenses...............................................  250,000
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses............................................    3,000
Accounting Fees.......................................................  150,000
Transfer Agent and Custodian Fees.....................................  136,250
Miscellaneous.........................................................  191,453
                                                                       --------
  Total............................................................... $800,000
                                                                       ========
</TABLE>

ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS.

   Nanometrics' Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws provide for
indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company to the full extent
permitted by law. The General Corporation law of the State of California
permits a corporation to limit, under certain circumstances, a director's
liability for monetary damages in actions brought by or in the right of the
corporation. Nanometrics' Articles of Incorporation also provide for the
elimination of the liability of directors for monetary damages to the full
extent permitted by law.

   Nanometrics has entered into agreements to indemnify its directors and
officers in addition to the indemnification provided for in the Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws. These agreements will, among other things, indemnify
Nanometrics' directors and officers for certain expenses (including attorneys'
fees), judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred in any action or
proceeding, including any action by or in the right of Nanometrics, on account
of services as a director or officer of any other enterprise to which the
person provides services at Nanometrics' request. Nanometrics believes that
these provisions and agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified
persons as directors and officers. At present, there is no pending litigation
or proceeding involving a director, officer or employee of Nanometrics as to
which indemnification is sought, nor is Nanometrics aware of any threatened
litigation or proceeding that may result in claims for indemnification.

   See also the undertakings set out in response to Item 17 herein.

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.

   The following exhibits are filed with this Registration Statement:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Exhibit
   Number                              Description
   -------                             -----------
   <C>     <S>
    1.1    Form of Underwriting Agreement
    5.1    Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
            Corporation
   10.1(1) Form of Indemnification Agreement for Directors & Officers
   10.2(3) Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended through March 1998
   10.3(2) 1991 Stock Option Plan, as amended through May 15, 1997
   10.4(3) 1991 Director Option Plan as amended April 1994
   10.5(4) Amendment to and Restatement of Redemption Agreement dated March 4,
            1993 between Vincent J. Coates and Registrant
   10.6(1) Consulting Agreement dated as of September 15, 1997 between the
            Registrant and Kanegi Nagai, as amended
</TABLE>

                                      II-1
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Exhibit
    Number                              Description
   -------                              -----------
   <C>      <S>
   10.7(1)  Reverse Split Dollar Insurance Agreement and Collateral Assignment
             dated March 15, 1993 between the Registrant and Vincent J. Coates
   10.8(1)  Lease Agreement dated February 25, 1992 between PM-DE and the
             Registrant, first Addendum to Lease dated February 22, 1992 and
             First Amendment to Lease dated April 24, 1997
   10.9(1)  Loan Agreement between Japan Development Bank and Nanometrics Japan
             k.k.
   10.10(1) Loan Agreement and Guarantee dated June 5, 1995 between Mitsubishi
             Bank, Limited and Nanometrics Japan Ltd.
   23.1     Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
             Corporation (included in Exhibit 5.1)
   23.2     Independent Auditors' Consent
   24.1+    Power of Attorney
</TABLE>
- --------

 +  Previously filed.
(1) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on
    Form 10-K filed on April 1, 1998.
(2) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed with Registrant's
    Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-33583) filed on August
    14, 1997.

(3) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on
    Form 10-K filed on March 2, 2000.
(4) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 filed with Registrant's Form
    10-K dated March 29, 1993.

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.

   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

   (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each
filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in
the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.

   (2) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 15 above, 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 Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In
the event that a claim for indemnification against liabilities (other than the
payment of the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer
or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.

   (3) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the
information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h)
under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration
statement as of the time it was declared effective.

   (4) For the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act, each
post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.

                                     II-2
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

   Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
registrant has duly caused this 2nd amendment to the registration statement to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
City of Sunnyvale, State of California on this 2nd day of March, 2000.

                                          NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

                                                    /s/ Paul B. Nolan
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                       Paul B. Nolan
                                              Chief Financial Officer and Vice
                                                         President

   Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on March 2, 2000.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              Signature                             Title
              ---------                             -----

 <C>                                  <S>
                  *                   President, Chief Executive
 ____________________________________  Officer and Director (Principal
            John D. Heaton             Executive Officer)

         /s/ Paul B. Nolan            Chief Financial Officer and Vice
 ____________________________________  President (Principal Financial
            Paul B. Nolan              and Accounting Officer)

                  *                   Chairman of the Board
 ____________________________________
          Vincent J. Coates

                  *                   Director
 ____________________________________
          Nathaniel Brenner

                  *                   Director
 ____________________________________
           Norman V. Coates

                  *                   Director
 ____________________________________
             Kanegi Nagai

                  *                   Director
 ____________________________________
</TABLE>    Edmond R. Ward

   Paul B. Nolan, by signing his name hereto, does sign and execute this
Amendment No. 2 to the registration statement on behalf of each of the above-
named officers and directors of the registrant on this 2nd day of March 2000,
pursuant to powers of attorneys executed on behalf of each of such officers and
directors and previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

        /s/ Paul B. Nolan
* By: _________________________
           Paul B. Nolan
         Attorney-in-Fact

                                      II-3
<PAGE>

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Exhibit
 Number                                Description
 -------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 <C>      <S>
  1.1     Form of Underwriting Agreement
  5.1     Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation
 10.1(1)  Form of Indemnification Agreement for Directors & Officers
 10.2(3)  Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended through March 1998
 10.3(2)  1991 Stock Option Plan, as amended through May 15, 1997
 10.4(3)  1991 Director Option Plan as amended April 1994
 10.5(4)  Amendment to and Restatement of Redemption Agreement dated March 4,
          1993 between Vincent J. Coates and Registrant
 10.6(1)  Consulting Agreement dated as of September 15, 1997 between the
          Registrant and Kanegi Nagai, as amended
 10.7(1)  Reverse Split Dollar Insurance Agreement and Collateral Assignment
          dated March 15, 1993 between the Registrant and Vincent J. Coates
 10.8(1)  Lease Agreement dated February 25, 1992 between PM-DE and the
          Registrant, first Addendum to Lease dated February 22, 1992 and First
          Amendment to Lease dated April 24, 1997
 10.9(1)  Loan Agreement between Japan Development Bank and Nanometrics Japan
          k.k.
 10.10(1) Loan Agreement and Guarantee dated June 5, 1995 between Mitsubishi
          Bank, Limited and Nanometrics Japan Ltd.
          Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation
 23.1     (included in Exhibit 5.1)
 23.2     Independent Auditors' Consent
 24.1+    Power of Attorney
</TABLE>
- --------

 +  Previously filed.
(1) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on
    Form 10-K filed on April 1, 1998.
(2) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed with Registrant's
    Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-33583) filed on August
    14, 1997.

(3) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on
    Form 10-K filed on March 2, 2000.
(4) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 filed with Registrant's Form
    10-K dated March 29, 1993.

<PAGE>

                           Nanometrics Incorporated

                             3,500,000 Shares /
                                 Common Stock
                                (no par value)

                            Underwriting Agreement


                                                              New York, New York
                                                              ____________, 2000

Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
Soundview Technology Group, Inc.
Tucker Anthony Inc.
Needham & Company
As Representatives of the several Underwriters,
c/o Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
388 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10013

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          Nanometrics Incorporated, a corporation organized under the laws of
California (the "Company"), proposes to sell to the several underwriters named
in Schedule I hereto (the "Underwriters"), for whom you (the "Representatives")
are acting as representatives, 1,750,000 shares of Common Stock, no par value
("Common Stock") of the Company and the shareholders of the Company named in
Schedule II hereto (the "Selling Shareholders") propose to sell to the
Underwriters an aggregate of 1,750,000 shares of Common Stock (said shares to be
issued and sold by the Company and the Selling Shareholder being hereinafter
called the "Underwritten Securities").  The Company also proposes to grant to
the Underwriters an option to purchase up to 262,500 additional shares of Common
Stock and the Selling Shareholders propose to grant to the Underwriters an
option to purchase up to 262,500 shares of Common Stock to cover over-allotments
(the aggregate of 525,000 shares referred to as the "Option Securities"; the
Option Securities, together with the Underwritten Securities, being hereinafter
called the "Securities").  To the extent there are no additional Underwriters
listed on Schedule I other than you, the term Representatives as used herein
shall mean you, as Underwriters, and the terms Representatives and Underwriters
shall mean either the singular or plural as the context requires.  Any reference
herein to the Registration Statement, a Preliminary Prospectus or the
Prospectus, as the case may be; and any reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of
Form S-2 which were filed under the Exchange Act on or before the Effective Date
of the Registration Statement or the issue date of such Preliminary Prospectus
or the Prospectus, as the case may be; and any reference herein to the terms
"amend", "amendment" or "supplement" with respect to the Registration Statement,
any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and
include the filing of any document under the Exchange Act after the Effective
Date of Registration Statement or the issue date of any Preliminary Prospectus
or the Prospectus, as the case may be, deemed to be

____________________
      /  Plus an option to purchase from the Company and a Selling Shareholder,
up to 525,000 additional Securities to cover over-allotments.
<PAGE>

incorporated therein by reference. Certain terms used herein are defined in
Section 17 hereof.

          1.   Representations and Warranties.

          (a)  The Company and each of the Selling Shareholders severally
     represent and warrant to, and agree with, each Underwriter as set forth
     below in this section 1

               (i)  The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-2 under
          the Act and has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange
          Commission (the "Commission") a registration statement on Form S-2
          (File No. 333-95115) which contains a form of prospectus to be used in
          connection with the public offering and sale of the Securities. Such
          registration statement, as amended, including the financial
          statements, exhibits and schedules thereto, in the form in which it
          was declared effective by the Commission under the Act of 1933 and the
          rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the
          "Act"), including all documents incorporated or deemed to be
          incorporated by reference therein and any information deemed to be a
          part thereof at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A or
          Rule 434 under the Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the
          rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively the
          "Exchange Act"), is called the "Registration Statement." Any
          registration statement filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 462(b)
          under the Act is called the "Rule 462(b) Registration Statement," and
          from and after the date and time of filing of the Rule 462(b)
          Registration Statement the term "Registration Statement" shall include
          the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. Such prospectus, in the form
          first used by the Underwriters to confirm sales of the Securities, is
          called the "Prospectus." All references in this Agreement to the
          Registration Statement, the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, a
          preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus, or any amendments or
          supplements to any of the foregoing, shall include any copy thereof
          filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering,
          Analysis and Retrieval System ("EDGAR"). All references in this
          Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information
          which is "contained," "included" or "stated" in the Registration
          Statement or the Prospectus (and all other references of like import)
          shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and
          schedules and other information which is or is deemed to be
          incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the
          Prospectus, as the case may be; and all references in this Agreement
          to amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the
          Prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include the filing of any
          document under the Exchange Act which is or is deemed to be
          incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the
          Prospectus, as the case may be.

               (ii) On the Effective Date, the Registration Statement did or
          will, and when the Prospectus is first filed (if required) in
          accordance with Rule 424(b) and on the Closing Date (as defined
          herein) and on any date on which Option

                                      A-2
<PAGE>

          Securities are purchased, if such date is not the Closing Date (a
          "settlement date"), the Prospectus (and any supplements thereto) will,
          comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of
          the Act and the rules thereunder; on the Effective Date and at the
          Execution Time, the Registration Statement did not or will not contain
          any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
          fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
          statements therein not misleading; and, on the Effective Date, the
          Prospectus, if not filed pursuant to Rule 424(b), will not, and on the
          date of any filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) and on the Closing Date and
          any settlement date, the Prospectus (together with any supplement
          thereto) will not, include any untrue statement of a material fact or
          omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
          statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
          were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Company and
                                     --------  -------
          and each of the Selling Shareholders make no representations or
          warranties as to the information contained in or omitted from the
          Registration Statement, or the Prospectus (or any supplement thereto)
          in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in
          writing to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the
          Representatives specifically for inclusion in the Registration
          Statement or the Prospectus (or any supplement thereto).

               (iii)  Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries has been duly
          incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing
          under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is chartered or
          organized with full corporate power and authority to own or lease, as
          the case may be, and to operate its properties and conduct its
          business as described in the Prospectus, and is duly qualified to do
          business as a foreign corporation except where failure to be so
          qualified in any such jurisdiction would not have a material adverse
          effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), prospects, earnings,
          business or properties of the Company or its subsidiaries, taken as a
          whole (a "Material Adverse Effect") and is in good standing under the
          laws of each jurisdiction which requires such qualification.

               (iv)   All the outstanding shares of capital stock of each
          Subsidiary have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are
          fully paid and nonassessable, and, except as otherwise set forth in
          the Prospectus, all outstanding shares of capital stock of the
          Subsidiaries are owned by the Company either directly or through
          wholly owned subsidiaries free and clear of any perfected security
          interest or any other security interests, claims, liens or
          encumbrances.

               (v)    The Company's authorized equity capitalization is as set
          forth in the Prospectus; the capital stock of the Company conforms in
          all material respects to the description thereof contained in the
          Prospectus; the outstanding shares of Common Stock have been duly and
          validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and nonassessable;
          the Securities have been duly and validly authorized, and,

                                      A-3
<PAGE>

          when issued and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters pursuant
          to this Agreement, will be fully paid and nonassessable; the
          Securities are duly listed, and admitted and authorized for trading on
          the Nasdaq National Market, subject to official notice of issuance,
          the certificates for the Securities are in valid and sufficient form;
          the holders of outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are
          not entitled to preemptive or other rights to subscribe for the
          Securities; and, except as set forth in the Prospectus, no options,
          warrants or other rights to purchase, agreements or other obligations
          to issue, or rights to convert any obligations into or exchange any
          securities for, shares of capital stock of or ownership interests in
          the Company are outstanding.

               (vi)   There is no franchise, contract or other document of a
          character required to be described in the Registration Statement or
          Prospectus, or to be filed as an exhibit thereto, which is not
          described or filed as required; and the statements in the Prospectus
          insofar as such statements summarize legal matters, agreements or
          documents or proceedings discussed in the Registration Statement or
          Prospectus are accurate and fair summaries of such franchise, contract
          or other document.

               (vii)  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
          delivered by the Company and constitutes a valid and binding
          obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms.

               (viii) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the
          offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the
          proceeds thereof as described in the Prospectus, will not be an
          "investment company" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940,
          as amended.

               (ix)   No consent, approval, authorization, filing with or order
          of any court or governmental agency or body is required in connection
          with the transactions contemplated herein, except (i) such as have
          been obtained under the Act and such as may be required under the blue
          sky laws of any jurisdiction in connection with the purchase and
          distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters in the manner
          contemplated herein and in the Prospectus or (ii) where a failure to
          obtain such consent, approval, authorization, filing or order would
          individually or in the aggregate result in a Material Adverse Effect.

               (x)    Neither the issue and sale of the Securities nor the
          consummation of any other of the transactions herein contemplated nor
          the fulfillment of the terms hereof will conflict with, result in a
          breach or violation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance
          upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
          pursuant to, (i) the charter or by-laws of the Company or any of its
          subsidiaries, (ii) the terms of any indenture, contract, lease,
          mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement, loan agreement or other
          agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which the
          Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party

                                      A-4
<PAGE>

          or bound or to which its or their property is subject, or (iii) any
          statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree applicable
          to the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any court, regulatory
          body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other
          authority having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its
          subsidiaries or any of its or their properties; except in the case of
          (ii) and (iii), where such conflict, breach, violation or imposition
          of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the
          Company would not result, individually or in the aggregate, in a
          Material Adverse Effect.

               (xi)   No holders of securities of the Company have rights to the
          registration of such securities under the Registration Statement.

               (xii)  The consolidated historical financial statements and
          schedules of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries included in
          the Prospectus and the Registration Statement present fairly in all
          material respects the financial condition, results of operations and
          cash flows of the Company as of the dates and for the periods
          indicated, comply as to form with the applicable accounting
          requirements of the Act and have been prepared in conformity with
          generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis
          throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise noted therein).
          The selected financial data set forth under the caption "Selected
          Financial Information" in the Prospectus and Registration Statement
          fairly present, on the basis stated in the Prospectus and the
          Registration Statement, the information included therein.

               (xiii) No action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or
          governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the
          Company or the Subsidiaries or its or their property is pending or, to
          the best knowledge of the Company, threatened that (i) could
          reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the
          performance of this Agreement or the consummation of any of the
          transactions contemplated hereby or (ii) could reasonably be expected
          to have a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or
          contemplated in the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

               (xiv)  Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries owns or leases
          all such properties as are necessary to the conduct of its operations
          as presently conducted.

               (xv)   Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation or
          default of (i) any provision of its charter or bylaws, (ii) the terms
          of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note
          agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition,
          covenant or instrument to which it is a party or bound or to which its
          property is subject, or (iii) any statute, law, rule, regulation,
          judgment, order or decree of any court, regulatory body,
          administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other
          authority having jurisdiction over the Company or such subsidiary or
          any of its properties, as applicable; except in the

                                      A-5
<PAGE>

          case of (ii) and (iii), where such violation or default would not
          result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse
          Effect.

               (xvi)   Deloitte & Touche LLP, who have certified certain
          financial statements of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries
          and delivered their report with respect to the audited consolidated
          financial statements and schedules included in the Prospectus, are
          independent public accountants with respect to the Company within the
          meaning of the Act and the applicable published rules and regulations
          thereunder.

               (xvii)  There are no transfer taxes or other similar fees or
          charges under Federal law or the laws of any state, or any political
          subdivision thereof, required to be paid in connection with the
          execution and delivery of this Agreement or the issuance by the
          Company or sale by the Company of the Securities.

               (xviii) The Company has filed all foreign, federal, state and
          local tax returns that are required to be filed or has requested
          extensions thereof (except in any case in which the failure so to file
          would not have a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or
          contemplated in the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto))
          and has paid all taxes required to be paid by it and any other
          assessment, fine or penalty levied against it, to the extent that any
          of the foregoing is due and payable, except for any such assessment,
          fine or penalty that is currently being contested in good faith or as
          would not have a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or
          contemplated in the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

               (xix)   No labor problem or dispute with the employees of the
          Company or any of the Subsidiaries exists or is threatened or
          imminent, and the Company is not aware of any existing or imminent
          labor disturbance by the employees of any of its or the Subsidiaries'
          principal suppliers, contractors or customers, that could have a
          Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the
          Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

               (xx)    The Company and each of the Subsidiaries are insured by
          insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses
          and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the
          businesses in which they are engaged; all policies of insurance
          insuring the Company or any of its subsidiaries or their respective
          businesses, assets, employees, officers and directors are in full
          force and effect; the Company and its subsidiaries are in material
          compliance with the terms of such policies and instruments in all
          material respects; and there are no claims by the Company or any of
          its subsidiaries under any such policy or instrument as to which any
          insurance company is denying liability or defending under a
          reservation of rights clause; and neither the Company nor any such
          subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew
          its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or
          to obtain similar

                                      A-6
<PAGE>

          coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its
          business at a cost that would not have a Material Adverse Effect,
          except as set forth in or contemplated in the Prospectus (exclusive of
          any supplement thereto).

               (xxi)   No subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited,
          directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company, from
          making any other distribution on such subsidiary's capital stock, from
          repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such subsidiary from
          the Company or from transferring any of such subsidiary's property or
          assets to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company, except
          as described in or contemplated by the Prospectus.

               (xxii)  The Company and its subsidiaries possess all licenses,
          certificates, permits and other authorizations issued by the
          appropriate federal, state or foreign regulatory authorities necessary
          to conduct their respective businesses, and neither the Company nor
          any such subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to
          the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authorization
          or permit which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an
          unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a Material Adverse
          Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Prospectus
          (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

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

               (xxiv)  The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any
          action designed to or which has constituted or which might reasonably
          be expected to cause or result, under the Exchange Act or otherwise,
          in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the
          Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

               (xxv)   The Company and its subsidiaries are (i) in compliance
          with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and
          regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the
          environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or
          contaminants ("Environmental Laws"), (ii) have received and are in
          compliance with all permits, licenses or other approvals required of
          them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective
          businesses and (iii) have not received notice of any actual or
          potential liability for the investigation or remediation of any
          disposal or release of hazardous or toxic

                                      A-7
<PAGE>

          substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, except where such
          non-compliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive required
          permits, licenses or other approvals, or liability would not,
          individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect,
          except as set forth in or contemplated in the Prospectus (exclusive of
          any supplement thereto). Except as set forth in the Prospectus,
          neither the Company nor any of the subsidiaries has been named as a
          "potentially responsible party" under the Comprehensive Environmental
          Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended.

               (xxvi)   In the ordinary course of its business, the Company
          periodically reviews the effect of Environmental Laws on the business,
          operations and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, in the
          course of which it identifies and evaluates associated costs and
          liabilities (including, without limitation, any capital or operating
          expenditures required for clean-up, closure of properties or
          compliance with Environmental Laws, or any permit, license or
          approval, any related constraints on operating activities and any
          potential liabilities to third parties).  On the basis of such review,
          the Company has reasonably concluded that such associated costs and
          liabilities would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material
          Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the
          Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

               (xxvii)  Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has fulfilled
          its obligations, if any, under the minimum funding standards of
          Section 302 of the United States Employee Retirement Income Security
          Act of 1974 ("ERISA") and the regulations and published
          interpretations thereunder with respect to each "plan" (as defined in
          Section 3(3) of ERISA and such regulations and published
          interpretations) in which employees of the Company and its
          subsidiaries are eligible to participate and each such plan is in
          compliance in all material respects with the presently applicable
          provisions of ERISA and such regulations and published
          interpretations. The Company and its subsidiaries have not incurred
          any unpaid liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
          (other than for the payment of premiums in the ordinary course) or to
          any such plan under Title IV of ERISA.

               (xxviii) The subsidiaries listed on Annex A attached hereto are
                                                   -------
          the only significant subsidiaries of the Company as defined by Rule 1-
          02 of Regulation S-X (the "Subsidiaries").

               (xxix)   Except as set forth in the Prospectus, the Company and
          the Subsidiaries own, possess, license or have other rights to use, on
          reasonable terms, all patents, patent applications, trade and service
          marks, trade and service mark registrations, trade names, copyrights,
          licenses, inventions, trade secrets, technology, know-how and other
          intellectual property (collectively, the "Intellectual Property")
          reasonably necessary for the conduct of the Company's

                                      A-8
<PAGE>

          business as now conducted or as proposed in the Prospectus to be
          conducted. Except as set forth in the Prospectus under the caption
          "Business--Intellectual Property," (a) to the Company's knowledge,
          there are no rights of third parties to any such Intellectual
          Property; (b) to the Company's knowledge, there is no material
          infringement by third parties of any such Intellectual Property; (c)
          there is no pending or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened action,
          suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the Company's rights
          in or to any such Intellectual Property, and the Company is unaware of
          any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim; (d)
          to the Company's knowledge, there is no pending or threatened action,
          suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the validity or scope
          of any such Intellectual Property, and the Company is unaware of any
          facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim; (e)
          there is no pending or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened action,
          suit, proceeding or claim by others that the Company infringes or
          otherwise violates any patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret or
          other proprietary rights of others, and the Company is unaware of any
          other fact which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim; (f)
          to the Company's knowledge, there is no U.S. patent or published U.S.
          patent application which contains claims that dominate or may dominate
          any Intellectual Property described in the Prospectus as being owned
          by or licensed to the Company or that interferes with the issued or
          pending claims of any such Intellectual Property; and (g) there is no
          prior art of which the Company is aware that may render any U.S.
          patent held by the Company invalid or any U.S. patent application held
          by the Company unpatentable which has not been disclosed to the U.S.
          Patent and Trademark Office.

             (xxx)   The statements contained in the Prospectus under the
          captions "Risk Factors - Successful infringement claims by third
          parties could result in substantial damages, lost product sales and
          the loss of intellectual property rights by us", "Business -
          Intellectual Property," "Business - Legal Proceedings" and
          "Description of Capital Stock" insofar as such statements summarize
          legal matters, agreements, documents, or proceedings discussed
          therein, are accurate and fair summaries of such legal matters,
          agreements, documents or proceedings.

             (xxxi)  Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the
          Prospectus, the Company (i) does not have any material lending or
          other relationship with any bank or lending affiliate of Salomon Smith
          Barney Holdings Inc. and (ii) does not intend to use any of the
          proceeds from the sale of the Securities hereunder to repay any
          outstanding debt owed to any affiliate of Salomon Smith Barney Holding
          Inc.

             (xxxii) The Company has tested its systems to evaluate whether its
          computer hardware and software will be able to recognize and properly
          execute date-sensitive functions involving certain dates prior to and
          any dates after December 31, 1999, executing remediation activities to
          fix non-compliant systems and

                                      A-9
<PAGE>

          monitoring and testing products and systems. To date the Company has
          not experienced any problems complying with the Year 2000 issue and
          have not been informed of any failures of its products from customers.

             (xxxiii)  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor any
          of its or their properties or assets has any immunity from the
          jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether through
          service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of
          execution or otherwise).

             (xxxiv)   The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
          by reference in the Prospectus, at the time they were or hereafter are
          filed with the Commission, complied and will comply in all material
          respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act, and, when read
          together with the other information in the Prospectus, at the time of
          the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto become effective
          and at the Closing Date, will not contain an untrue statement of a
          material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated
          therein or necessary to make the fact required to be stated therein or
          necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
          circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

             (xxxv)    The Company has filed all reports required to be filed
          pursuant to the Act and the Exchange Act.

             (xxxvi)   The Company has satisfied the conditions for the use of
          Form S-2, as set forth in the general instructions thereto, with
          respect to the Registration Statement.

          Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company and delivered to
the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the
offering of the Securities shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the
Company, as the case may be, as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.

          (b)  Each Selling Shareholder represents and warrants with respect to
     himself or itself, as the case may, severally or not jointly, to, and
     agrees with, each of the Underwriters that:

               (i)  Such Selling Shareholder is the record and beneficial owner
          of the Securities to be sold by it hereunder free and clear of all
          liens, encumbrances, equities and claims and has duly endorsed such
          Securities in blank, and, assuming that each Underwriter acquires its
          interest in the Securities it has purchased from such Selling
          Shareholder without notice of any adverse claim (within the meaning of
          Section 8-105 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code ("UCC")), each
          Underwriter that has purchased such Securities delivered on the
          Closing Date to The Depository Trust Company or other securities
          intermediary by making payment therefor as provided herein, and that
          has had such Securities credited to

                                     A-10
<PAGE>

          the securities account or accounts of such Underwriters maintained
          with The Depository Trust Company or such other securities
          intermediary will have acquired a security entitlement (within the
          meaning of Section 8-102(a)(17) of the UCC) to such Securities
          purchased by such Underwriter, and no action based on an adverse claim
          (within the meaning of Section 8-105 of the UCC) may be asserted
          against such Underwriter with respect to such Securities.

             (ii)   Such Selling Shareholder has not taken, directly or
          indirectly, any action designed to or which has constituted or which
          might reasonably be expected to cause or result, under the Exchange
          Act or otherwise, in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any
          security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the
          Securities.

             (iii)  Certificates in negotiable form for such Selling
          Shareholder's Securities have been placed in custody, for delivery
          pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, under a Custody Agreement and
          Power of Attorney duly authorized (if applicable) executed and
          delivered by such Selling Shareholder, in the form heretofore
          furnished to you (the "Custody Agreement") with ____________, as
          Custodian (the "Custodian"); the Securities represented by the
          certificates so held in custody for such Selling Shareholder are
          subject to the interests hereunder of the Underwriters; the
          arrangements for custody and delivery of such certificates, made by
          such Selling Shareholder hereunder and under the Custody Agreement,
          are not subject to termination by any acts of such Selling
          Shareholder, or by operation of law, whether by the death or
          incapacity of such Selling Shareholder or the occurrence of any other
          event; and if any such death, incapacity or any other such event shall
          occur before the delivery of such Securities hereunder, certificates
          for the Securities will be delivered by the Custodian in accordance
          with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Custody
          Agreement as if such death, incapacity or other event had not
          occurred, regardless of whether or not the Custodian shall have
          received notice of such death, incapacity or other event.

             (iv)   No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or
          governmental agency or body is required for the consummation by the
          Selling Shareholder of the transactions contemplated herein, except
          such as may have been obtained under the Act and such as may be
          required under the blue sky laws of any jurisdiction in connection
          with the purchase and distribution of the Securities by the
          Underwriters and such other approvals as have been obtained.

             (v)    Neither the sale of the Securities being sold by such
          Selling Shareholder nor the consummation of any other of the
          transactions herein contemplated by such Selling Shareholder or the
          fulfillment of the terms hereof by the Selling Shareholder will
          conflict with, result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a
          default under any law or other agreement or instrument to which such

                                      A-11
<PAGE>

          Selling Shareholder is a party or bound, or any judgment, order or
          decree applicable to such Selling Shareholder of any court, regulatory
          body, administrative agency, governmental body or arbitrator having
          jurisdiction over the Selling Shareholder.

             (vi)   Such Selling Shareholder has no reason to believe that the
          representations and warranties of the Company contained in this
          Section 1 are not true and correct, is familiar with the Registration
          Statement and has no knowledge of any material fact, condition or
          information not disclosed in the Prospectus or any supplement thereto
          which has adversely affected or may adversely affect the business of
          the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and the sale of Securities by
          such Selling Shareholder pursuant hereto is not prompted by any
          information concerning the Company or any of its subsidiaries which is
          not set forth in the Prospectus or any supplement thereto.

             (vii)  In respect of any statements in or omissions from the
          Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any supplements thereto
          made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in
          writing to the Company by the Selling Shareholder specifically for use
          in connection with the preparation thereof, such Selling Shareholder
          hereby makes the same representations and warranties to each
          Underwriter as the Company makes to such Underwriter under paragraph
          (a)(2)of this Section.

          Any certificate signed by such Selling Shareholder and delivered to
the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the
offering of the Securities shall be deemed a representation and warranty by such
Selling Shareholder, as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.


      2.    Purchase and Sale. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions and in
reliance upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, the Company
and each Selling Shareholder agree, severally and not jointly, to sell to each
Underwriter, and each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase
from the Company and each Selling Shareholder, at a purchase price of $
per share, the amount of the Underwritten Securities set forth opposite such
Underwriter's name in Schedule I hereto.

        (b) Subject to the terms and conditions and in reliance upon the
     representations and warranties herein set forth, the Company and the
     Vincent J. Coates Foundation hereby grant, severally and not jointly an
     option to the several Underwriters to purchase the 525,000 shares of Option
     Securities (262,500 shares of which shall be sold by the Company and
     262,500 shares of which shall be sold by the Vincent J. Coates Foundation)
     at the same purchase price per share as the Underwriters shall pay for the
     Underwritten Securities. Said option may be exercised only to cover over-
     allotments in the sale of the Underwritten Securities by the Underwriters.
     Said option may be exercised in whole or

                                      A-12
<PAGE>

     in part at any time (but not more than once) on or before the 30th day
     after the date of the Prospectus upon written or telegraphic notice by the
     Representatives to the Company and the Vincent J. Coates Foundation setting
     forth the number of shares of the Option Securities as to which the several
     Underwriters are exercising the option and the settlement date. In the
     event that the Underwriters exercise less than their full over-allotment
     option, the number of Option Securities purchased by each Underwriter shall
     be the same percentage of the total number of shares of the Option
     Securities to be purchased by the several Underwriters as such Underwriter
     is purchasing of the Underwritten Securities, subject to such adjustments
     as you in your absolute discretion shall make to eliminate any fractional
     shares.

          3.   Delivery and Payment. Delivery of and payment for the
Underwritten Securities and the Option Securities (if the option provided for in
Section 2(b) hereof shall have been exercised on or before the third Business
Day prior to the Closing Date) shall be made at 10:00 AM, New York City time, on
, 2000, or at such time on such later date not more than three Business Days
after the foregoing date as the Representatives shall designate, which date and
time may be postponed by agreement between the Representatives and the Company
or as provided in Section 9 hereof (such date and time of delivery and payment
for the Securities being herein called the "Closing Date"). Delivery of the
Securities shall be made to the Representatives for the respective accounts of
the several Underwriters against payment by the several Underwriters through the
Representatives of the purchase price thereof to or upon the order of the
Company and each Selling Shareholder by wire transfer payable in same-day funds
to accounts specified by the Company and the Selling Shareholders. Delivery of
the Underwritten Securities and the Option Securities shall be made through the
facilities of The Depository Trust Company unless the Representatives shall
otherwise instruct.

               If the option provided for in Section 2(b) hereof is exercised
after the third Business Day prior to the Closing Date, the Company and each
Selling Shareholders will deliver the Option Securities (at the expense of the
Company) to the Representatives, at 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York, on
the date specified by the Representatives (which shall be within three Business
Days after exercise of said option) for the respective accounts of the several
Underwriters, against payment by the several Underwriters through the
Representatives of the purchase price thereof to or upon the order of the
Company and Selling Shareholders by wire transfer payable in same-day funds to
an account specified by the Company and the Selling Shareholders. If settlement
for the Option Securities occurs after the Closing Date, the Company and the
Selling Shareholders will deliver to the Representatives on the settlement date
for the Option Securities, and the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase
the Option Securities shall be conditioned upon receipt of, supplemental
opinions, certificates and letters confirming as of such date the opinions,
certificates and letters delivered on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 6
hereof.

          4.   Offering by Underwriters.  It is understood that the several
Underwriters propose to offer the Securities for sale to the public as set forth
in the Prospectus.

                                      A-13
<PAGE>

          5.   Agreements.

          (a)     The Company agrees with the several Underwriters that:

              (i)   The Company will use its best efforts to cause the
          Registration Statement, if not effective at the Execution Time, and
          any amendment thereof, to become effective. Prior to the termination
          of the offering of the Securities, the Company will not file any
          amendment of the Registration Statement or supplement to the
          Prospectus or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement unless the
          Company has furnished you a copy for your review prior to filing and
          will not file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which you
          reasonably object. Subject to the foregoing sentence, if the
          Registration Statement has become or becomes effective pursuant to
          Rule 430A, or filing of the Prospectus is otherwise required under
          Rule 424(b), the Company will cause the Prospectus, properly
          completed, and any supplement thereto to be filed with the Commission
          pursuant to the applicable paragraph of Rule 424(b) within the time
          period prescribed and will provide evidence satisfactory to the
          Representatives of such timely filing. The Company will promptly
          advise the Representatives (1) when the Registration Statement, if not
          effective at the Execution Time, shall have become effective, (2) when
          the Prospectus, and any supplement thereto, shall have been filed (if
          required) with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) or when any Rule
          462(b) Registration Statement shall have been filed with the
          Commission, (3) when, prior to termination of the offering of the
          Securities, any amendment to the Registration Statement shall have
          been filed or become effective, (4) of any request by the Commission
          or its staff for any amendment of the Registration Statement, or any
          Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or for any supplement to the
          Prospectus or for any additional information, (5) of the issuance by
          the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
          Registration Statement or the institution or threatening of any
          proceeding for that purpose and (6) of the receipt by the Company of
          any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification
          of the Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the institution or
          threatening of any proceeding for such purpose. The Company will use
          its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order or the
          suspension of any such qualification and, if issued, to obtain as soon
          as possible the withdrawal thereof.

              (ii)  If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Securities
          is required to be delivered under the Act, any event occurs as a
          result of which the Prospectus as then supplemented would include any
          untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
          necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the
          circumstances under which they were made not misleading, or if it
          shall be necessary to amend the Registration Statement or supplement
          the Prospectus to comply with the Act or the Exchange Act or the
          respective rules thereunder, the Company promptly will (1) notify the
          Representatives of any such event, (2) prepare and file with the
          Commission, subject to the second sentence of

                                      A-14
<PAGE>

          paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 5, an amendment or supplement which
          will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance; and
          (3) supply any supplemented Prospectus to you in such quantities as
          you may reasonably request.

              (iii)  As soon as practicable, the Company will make generally
          available to its security holders and to the Representatives an
          earnings statement or statements of the Company and its subsidiaries
          which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act and Rule
          158 under the Act.

              (iv)   The Company will furnish to the Representatives and counsel
          for the Underwriters, without charge, signed copies of the
          Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto) and to each other
          Underwriter a copy of the Registration Statement (without exhibits
          thereto) and, so long as delivery of a prospectus by an Underwriter or
          dealer may be required by the Act, as many copies of each Preliminary
          Prospectus and the Prospectus and any supplement thereto as the
          Representatives may reasonably request.

              (v)    The Company will arrange, if necessary, for the
          qualification of the Securities for sale under the laws of such
          jurisdictions as the Representatives may designate and will maintain
          such qualifications in effect so long as required for the distribution
          of the Securities and will pay any fee of the National Association of
          Securities Dealers, Inc. in connection with its review of the
          offering; provided that in no event shall the Company be obligated to
          qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now so
          qualified or to take any action that would subject it to service of
          process in suits, other than those arising out of the offering or sale
          of the Securities, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject.

              (vi)   The Company will not, without the prior written consent of
          Salomon Smith Barney Inc.,  offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, or
          otherwise dispose of, (or enter into any transaction which is designed
          to, or might reasonably be expected to, result in the disposition
          (whether by actual disposition or effective economic disposition due
          to cash settlement or otherwise) by the Company or any affiliate of
          the Company or any person in privity with the Company or any affiliate
          of the Company) directly or indirectly, including the filing (or
          participation in the filing) of a registration statement with the
          Commission in respect of, or establish or increase a put equivalent
          position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within
          the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, any other shares of
          Common Stock or any securities convertible into, or exercisable, or
          exchangeable for, shares of Common Stock; or publicly announce an
          intention to effect any such transaction, for a period of 90 days
          after the date of the Underwriting Agreement, provided, however, that
                                                        --------  -------
          (i) the Company may issue and sell Common Stock pursuant to any
          employee stock option plan, stock ownership plan or dividend
          reinvestment plan of the Company in effect at the Execution Time and,
          (ii) the Company may issue Common Stock issuable upon the

                                      A-15
<PAGE>

          conversion of securities or the exercise of warrants outstanding at
          the Execution Time.

              (vii)   The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any
          action designed to or which has constituted or which might reasonably
          be expected to cause or result, under the Exchange Act or otherwise,
          in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the
          Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

             (viii)   The Company agrees to pay the costs and expenses relating
          to the following matters: (i) the preparation, printing or
          reproduction and filing with the Commission of the Registration
          Statement (including financial statements and exhibits thereto), each
          Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, and each amendment or
          supplement to any of them; (ii) the printing (or reproduction) and
          delivery (including postage, air freight charges and charges for
          counting and packaging) of such copies of the Registration Statement,
          each Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, and all amendments or
          supplements to any of them, as may, in each case, be reasonably
          requested for use in connection with the offering and sale of the
          Securities; (iii) the preparation, printing, authentication, issuance
          and delivery of certificates for the Securities, including any stamp
          or transfer taxes in connection with the original issuance and sale of
          the Securities; (iv) the printing (or reproduction) and delivery of
          this Agreement, any blue sky memorandum and all other agreements or
          documents printed (or reproduced) and delivered in connection with the
          offering of the Securities; (v) the registration of the Securities
          under the Exchange Act and the listing of the Securities on the Nasdaq
          National Market; (vi) any registration or qualification of the
          Securities for offer and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of
          the several states (including filing fees and the reasonable fees and
          expenses of counsel for the Underwriters relating to such registration
          and qualification); (vii) any filings required to be made with the
          National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (including filing
          fees and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the
          Underwriters relating to such filings); (viii) the transportation and
          other expenses incurred by or on behalf of Company representatives in
          connection with presentations to prospective purchasers of the
          Securities; (ix) the fees and expenses of the Company's accountants
          and the fees and expenses of counsel (including local and special
          counsel) for the Company; and (x) all other costs and expenses
          incident to the performance by the Company of its obligations
          hereunder.

          (b)  Each Selling Shareholder agrees with the several Underwriters
     that:

             (i)    Such Selling Shareholder will not, without the prior written
          consent of Salomon Smith Barney, offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge
          or otherwise dispose of, (or enter into any transaction which is
          designed to, or might reasonably be expected to, result in the
          disposition (whether by actual disposition or effective

                                      A-16
<PAGE>

          economic disposition due to cash settlement or otherwise) by the
          Company or any affiliate of the Company or any person in privity with
          the Company or any affiliate of the Company) directly or indirectly,
          or file (or participate in the filing of) a registration statement
          with the Commission in respect of, or establish or increase a put
          equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent
          position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act with
          respect to, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any
          securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for such
          capital stock, or publicly announce an intention to effect any such
          transaction, for a period of 90 days after the date of this Agreement,
          other than shares of Common Stock disposed of as bona fide gifts
          approved by Salomon Smith Barney Inc. or as otherwise provided by the
          Lock-Up Agreement between the Representatives and such Selling
          Shareholder relating to the sale of the Securities.

             (ii)  Such Selling Shareholder will not take any action designed to
          or which has constituted or which might reasonably be expected to
          cause or result, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, in stabilization
          or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to
          facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

             (iii)  Such Selling Shareholder will advise you promptly, and if
          requested by you, will confirm such advice in writing, so long as
          delivery of a prospectus relating to the Securities by an underwriter
          or dealer may be required under the Act, of (i) any material change in
          the Company's condition (financial or otherwise), prospects, earnings,
          business or properties, (ii) any change in information in the
          Registration Statement or the Prospectus relating to the Selling
          Shareholder or (iii) any new material information relating to the
          Company or relating to any matter stated in the Prospectus which comes
          to the attention of the Selling Shareholder.

          6. Conditions to the Obligations of the Underwriters. The obligations
of the Underwriters to purchase the Underwritten Securities and the Option
Securities, as the case may be, shall be subject to the accuracy of the
representations and warranties on the part of the Company and each of the
Selling Shareholders contained herein as of the Execution Time, the Closing Date
and any settlement date pursuant to Section 3 hereof, to the accuracy of the
statements of the Company and each of the Selling Shareholders made in any
certificates pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the
Company and each Selling Shareholder of their respective obligations hereunder
and to the following additional conditions:

          (a)  If the Registration Statement has not become effective prior to
     the Execution Time, unless the Representatives agree in writing to a later
     time, the Registration Statement will become effective not later than (i)
     6:00 PM New York City time on the date of determination of the public
     offering price, if such determination occurred at or prior to 3:00 PM New
     York City time on such date or (ii) 9:30 AM on the Business Day following
     the day on which the public offering price was determined, if

                                      A-17
<PAGE>

     such determination occurred after 3:00 PM New York City time on such date;
     if filing of the Prospectus, or any supplement thereto, is required
     pursuant to Rule 424(b), the Prospectus, and any such supplement, will be
     filed in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b); and
     no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement
     shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been
     instituted or threatened.

          (b)  The Company shall have requested and caused Wilson Sonsini
     Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, counsel for the Company, to
     have furnished to the Representatives their opinion, dated the Closing Date
     and addressed to the Representatives, to the effect that:

             (i)   The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
          existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the
          jurisdiction in which it is chartered or organized, with full
          corporate power and authority to own or lease, as the case may be, and
          to operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the
          Prospectus, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign
          corporation in which it owns or leases property and is in good
          standing under the laws of each jurisdiction which requires such
          qualification except where failure to be so qualified does not have a
          Material Adverse Effect;

             (ii)  to the knowledge of such counsel the Company's authorized
          equity capitalization is as set forth in the Prospectus; the capital
          stock of the Company conforms in all material respects to the
          description thereof contained in the Prospectus; the outstanding
          shares of Common Stock (including the Securities being sold hereunder
          by each of the Selling Shareholders) have been duly and validly
          authorized and issued and are fully paid and nonassessable; the
          Securities being sold hereunder by each of the Company have been duly
          and validly authorized, and, when issued and delivered to and paid for
          by the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement, will be fully paid and
          nonassessable; the Securities being sold by the Selling Shareholders
          and the Company are duly listed, and admitted and authorized for
          trading, subject to official notice of issuance, the certificates for
          the Securities are in valid and sufficient form; the holders of
          outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are not entitled to
          preemptive rights under the Articles of Incorporation of the Company,
          California law, or to our knowledge other preemptive or other rights
          to subscribe for the Securities; and, except as set forth in the
          Prospectus, to such counsel's knowledge no options, warrants or other
          rights to purchase, agreements or other obligations to issue, or
          rights to convert any obligations into or exchange any securities for,
          shares of capital stock of or ownership interests in the Company are
          outstanding;

             (iii) to the knowledge of such counsel, there is no pending or
          threatened action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or
          governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the
          Company or any of the

                                      A-18
<PAGE>

          Subsidiaries or its or their property of a character required to be
          disclosed in the Registration Statement which is not adequately
          disclosed in the Prospectus, and to the knowledge of such counsel
          there is no contract or other document of a character required to be
          described in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or to be filed
          as an exhibit thereto, which is not described or filed as required;

             (iv)   the conditions of the use of Form S-2 set forth in the
          General Instructions thereto have been satisfied;

             (v)    this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
          delivered by the Company;

             (vi)   the Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering
          and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof
          as described in the Prospectus, will not be, an "investment company"
          as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;

             (vii)  no consent, approval, authorization, filing with or order of
          any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the
          Company is required in connection with the transactions contemplated
          herein, except such as have been obtained under the Act and such as
          may be required under the blue sky laws of any jurisdiction in
          connection with the purchase and distribution of the Securities by the
          Underwriters in the manner contemplated in this Agreement and in the
          Prospectus and such other approvals (specified in such opinion) as
          have been obtained or waived, or if not obtained or waived, would not
          have a Material Adverse Effect;

             (viii) neither the issue and sale of the Securities, nor the
          consummation of any other of the transactions herein contemplated nor
          the fulfillment of the terms hereof will conflict with, result in a
          breach, violation or constitute a default of (i) the charter or by-
          laws of the Company or its subsidiaries, or (ii) the terms of any
          material indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note
          agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition,
          covenant or instrument to which the Company or its subsidiaries is a
          party or bound or to which its or their property is subject, or (iii)
          statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree known to
          such counsel applicable to the Company or its subsidiaries of any
          court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body,
          arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction over the Company or
          its subsidiaries or any of its or their properties; and

             (ix)   no holders of securities of the Company have rights to the
          registration of such securities under the Registration Statement; and

             (x)    each document filed pursuant to the Exchange Act (other than
          the financial statements and supporting schedules included therein, as
          to which no

                                      A-19
<PAGE>

          opinion need be rendered) and incorporated or deemed to be
          incorporated by reference in the Prospectus complied when so filed as
          to form in all material respects with the Exchange Act.

          In addition such counsel shall state that in addition to rendering
     legal advice and assistance to the Company in the course of the preparation
     of the Registration Statement and Prospectus, involving, among other
     things, discussions and inquiries concerning various legal matters and the
     review of certain corporate records, documents and proceedings (in addition
     to those described in paragraph (i) through (x) above), such counsel also
     participated in conferences with certain officers and other representatives
     of the Company, including its independent certified public accountants and
     with the Underwriters and their counsel, at which the contents of the
     Registration Statement and the Prospectus and related matters were
     discussed; provided, however, that such counsel may state that they have
     not independently verified the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the
     information contained in the Registration Statement and Prospectus.

          Such counsel shall also state that based upon its participation as
     described in the preceding paragraph, they confirm that they have no reason
     to believe that (except for financial statements and schedules and other
     financial and statistical data as to which such counsel need not express
     any belief) (A) the Registration Statement and the prospectus included
     therein at the time the Registration Statement became effective contained
     any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
     required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
     not misleading and (B) the Prospectus when issued contained, or as of the
     date such opinion is delivered, contains any untrue statement of a material
     fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
     statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
     made, not misleading.

     In rendering such opinion, such counsel may state that their opinion is
     limited to the federal laws of the United States and the laws of the State
     of California.

          (c)  Each of the Selling Shareholders shall have requested and caused
     Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, counsel for
     each of the Selling Shareholders, to have furnished to the Representatives
     their opinion, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Representatives
     to the effect that:

             (i)  this Agreement and the Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney
          have been duly executed and delivered by each Selling Shareholder, the
          Custody Agreement is valid and binding on each Selling Shareholder and
          each Selling Shareholder has full legal right and authority to sell,
          transfer and deliver in the manner provided in this Agreement and the
          Custody Agreement the Securities being sold by each Selling
          Shareholder hereunder;

             (ii) the delivery by each Selling Shareholder to the several
          Underwriters of certificates for the Securities being sold hereunder
          by each Selling Shareholder

                                      A-20
<PAGE>

          against payment therefor as provided herein, will pass valid and
          marketable title to such Securities to the several Underwriters, free
          and clear of any adverse claim, assuming the Underwriter purchase such
          Securities for value, in good faith and without notice of adverse
          claim, as such terms are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in
          effect in California;

             (iii) to the knowledge of such counsel, no consent, approval,
          authorization or order of any court or governmental agency or body is
          required for the consummation by each Selling Shareholder of the
          transactions contemplated herein, except such as may have been
          obtained under the Act and such as may be required under the blue sky
          laws of any jurisdiction in connection with the purchase and
          distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters and such other
          approvals (specified in such opinion) as have been obtained; and

             (iv)  neither the sale of the Securities being sold by each Selling
          Shareholder nor the consummation of any other of the transactions
          herein contemplated by each Selling Shareholder or the fulfillment of
          the terms hereof by each Selling Stockholder will conflict with,
          result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any
          law the terms of any agreement or instrument known to such counsel and
          to which either Selling Shareholder is party to or bound, or any
          judgment, order or decree known to such counsel to be applicable to
          the Selling Shareholders of any court, regulatory body, administrative
          agency, governmental body or arbitrator having jurisdiction over each
          of the Selling Shareholders.

             (v)   Each Selling Shareholder is the record and beneficial owner
          of the Securities to be sold by it hereunder free and clear of all
          adverse claims.

     In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely (A) as to matters
     involving the application of laws of any jurisdiction other than the State
     of California or the Federal laws of the United States, to the extent they
     deem proper and specified in such opinion,

                                      A-21
<PAGE>

     upon the opinion of other counsel of good standing whom they believe to be
     reliable and who are satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, and (B)
     as to matters of fact, to the extent they deem proper, on certificates of
     the Selling Shareholders and public officials.

          (d)  The Company shall have requested and caused counsel for each of
     the Company's Subsidiaries, to have furnished to the Representatives their
     opinion, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Representatives to the
     effect that:

             (i)  the Subsidiary has been duly incorporated and is validly
          existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the
          jurisdiction in which it is chartered or organized, with full
          corporate power and authority to own or lease, as the case may be, and
          to operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the
          Prospectus, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign
          corporation and is in good standing under the laws of each
          jurisdiction which requires such qualification;

             (ii) all the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Subsidiary
          have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid
          and nonassessable, and, except as otherwise set forth in the
          Prospectus, all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Subsidiary
          are owned by the Company either directly or through wholly owned
          subsidiaries free and clear of any perfected security interest and, to
          the knowledge of such counsel, after due inquiry, any other security
          interest, claim, lien or encumbrance;

          (e)  The Company shall have requested and caused Fenwick and West LLP,
     special litigation counsel for the Company, to have furnished to the
     Representatives their opinion, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the
     Representatives, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.
                                                                   ---------

          (f)  The Company shall have requested and caused Skjerven, Morrill,
     Macpherson, Franklin & Friel LLP, patent counsel for the Company, to have
     furnished to the Representatives their opinion, dated the Closing Date and
     addressed to the Representatives, substantially in the form attached hereto
     as Exhibit C.
        ---------

          (g)  The Representatives shall have received from Brobeck, Phleger &
     Harrison LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated
     the Closing Date and addressed to the Representatives, with respect to the
     issuance and sale of the Securities, the Registration Statement, the
     Prospectus (together with any supplement thereto) and other related matters
     as the Representatives may reasonably require, and the Company shall have
     furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for the purpose of
     enabling them to pass upon such matters.

          (h)  The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives a
     certificate of the Company, signed by the Chairman of the Board or the
     President and the principal

                                      A-22
<PAGE>

     financial or accounting officer of the Company, dated the Closing Date, to
     the effect that the signers of such certificate have carefully examined the
     Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any supplements to the Prospectus
     and this Agreement and that:

             (i)   the representations and warranties of the Company in this
          Agreement are true and correct in all material respects on and as of
          the Closing Date with the same effect as if made on the Closing Date
          and the Company has complied with all the agreements and satisfied all
          the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to
          the Closing Date;

             (ii)  no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
          Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that
          purpose have been instituted or, to the Company's knowledge,
          threatened; and

             (iii) since the date of the most recent financial statements
          included, or incorporated by references in the Prospectus (exclusive
          of any supplement thereto), there has been no material adverse effect
          on the condition (financial or otherwise), prospects, earnings,
          business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
          whole, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course
          of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Prospectus
          (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

          (i)   On the Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received a
     written certificate executed by the Selling Shareholders or the Attorney-
     in-Fact of the Selling Shareholders, dated as of such Closing Date, to the
     effect that the signer of such certificate has carefully examined the
     Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any supplement to the Prospectus
     and this Agreement and that the representations and warranties of the
     Selling Shareholders in this Agreement are true and correct in all material
     respects on and as of the Closing Date to the same effect as if made on the
     Closing Date.

          (j)   At least three business days prior to the date hereof, the
     Company and the Selling Shareholders shall have furnished for review by the
     Representatives copies of the Power of Attorney and Custody Agreement
     executed by each Selling Shareholder and such further information,
     certificates and documents as the Representatives may reasonably request.

          (k)   The Company shall have requested and caused Deloitte & Touche
     LLP to have furnished to the Representatives, at the Execution Time and at
     the Closing Date, letters, dated respectively as of the Execution Time and
     as of the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the
     Representatives, confirming that they are independent accountants within
     the meaning of the Act and the Exchange Act and respective applicable rules
     adopted by the Commission thereunder and that they have performed a review
     of the unaudited interim financial information of the Company for the nine-
     month

                                      A-23
<PAGE>

     period ended December 31, 1999, and as at December 31, 1999, in accordance
     with Statement on Auditing Standards No. 71 and stating in effect that:

             (i)  in their opinion the audited financial statements and
          financial statement schedules included in the Registration Statement
          and the Prospectus and reported on by them comply as to form in all
          material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the
          Act and the Exchange Act and the related rules and regulations adopted
          by the Commission;

             (ii) they have performed certain other specified procedures as a
          result of which they determined that certain information of an
          accounting, financial or statistical nature (which is limited to
          accounting, financial or statistical information derived from the
          general accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries) set
          forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, including the
          information set forth under the captions "Prospectus Summary - Summary
          Consolidated Financial Data", "Selected Consolidated Financial Data"
          and "Management's Discussions and Analysis of Financial Condition and
          Results of Operations" in the Prospectus, agrees with the accounting
          records of the Company and its subsidiaries, excluding any questions
          of legal interpretation;

          References to the Prospectus in this paragraph (e) include any
          supplement thereto at the date of the letter.

          (l)   Subsequent to the Execution Time or, if earlier, the dates as of
     which information is given in the Registration Statement (exclusive of any
     amendment thereof) and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement
     thereto), there shall not have been (i) any change or decrease specified in
     the letter or letters referred to in paragraph (j) of this Section 6 or
     (ii) any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or
     affecting the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business or
     properties of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or
     not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as
     set forth in or contemplated in the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement
     thereto) the effect of which, in any case referred to in clause (i) or (ii)
     above, is, in the sole judgment of the Representatives, so material and
     adverse as to make it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the
     offering or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the Registration
     Statement (exclusive of any amendment thereof) and the Prospectus
     (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

          (m)   Prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to
     the Representatives such further information, certificates and documents as
     the Representatives may reasonably request.

          (n)   The securities shall have been quoted, admitted and authorized
     for trading on the Nasdaq National Market, and satisfactory evidence of
     such actions shall have been provided to the Representatives.

                                      A-24
<PAGE>

          (o)  Prior to the Execution Time, the Company shall have furnished to
     the Representatives a letter substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto
                                                               ---------
     from each officer and director of the Company and shareholders of the
     Company holding more than 5% of the Company's outstanding capital stock
     addressed to the Representatives.

     If any of the conditions specified in this Section 6 shall not have been
fulfilled in all material respects when and as provided in this Agreement, or if
any of the opinions and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this
Agreement shall not be in all material respects reasonably satisfactory in form
and substance to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, this
Agreement and all obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be canceled at,
or at any time prior to, the Closing Date by the Representatives. Notice of such
cancellation shall be given to the Company in writing or by telephone or
facsimile confirmed in writing.

     The documents required to be delivered by this Section 6 shall be delivered
at the office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C., counsel for the
Company, at 650 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304 on the Closing Date.

          7.   Reimbursement of Underwriters' Expenses. If the sale of the
Securities provided for herein is not consummated because any condition to the
obligations of the Underwriters set forth in Section 6 hereof is not satisfied,
because of any termination pursuant to Section 10 hereof or because of any
refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company or the Selling
Shareholders to perform any agreement herein or comply with any provision hereof
other than by reason of a default by any of the Underwriters, the Company will
reimburse the Underwriters severally through Salomon Smith Barney Inc. on demand
for all out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of
counsel) that shall have been incurred by them in connection with the proposed
purchase and sale of the Securities.

          8.   Indemnification and Contribution.

          (a)  The Company and each of the Selling Shareholders, severally and
     not jointly, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, the
     directors, officers, employees and agents of each Underwriter and each
     person who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or
     the Exchange Act against any and all losses, claims, damages or
     liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any of them may become
     subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or other Federal or state statutory
     law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
     claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of
     or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
     material fact contained in the registration statement for the registration
     of the Securities as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, or in
     any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or in any amendment thereof
     or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or
     alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
     therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and
     agrees to reimburse each such indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal
     or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with
     investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or
     action;

                                     A-25
<PAGE>

     provided, however, that the Company and each of the Selling Shareholders
     --------  -------
     will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss,
     claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue
     statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made
     therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
     furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the
     Representatives specifically for inclusion therein; provided further, the
                                                         ----------------
     Company and each of the Underwriters agrees with each of the Selling
     Shareholders that any claim of such Underwriter against such Selling
     Shareholder for indemnification, reimbursement or advancement of expenses
     pursuant to this Section 8(a) or for breach of any representation or
     warranty in Section 1 hereof shall first be sought by such Underwriter to
     be satisfied in full by the Company and, subject to the limitation on the
     aggregate liability of each Selling Shareholder set forth below, shall be
     satisfied by the Selling Shareholders only to the extent that such claim
     has not been satisfied in full by the Company within the 60-day period
     following the date requested for payment in accordance with the terms of
     this Agreement. The liability of each Selling Shareholder under this
     Agreement shall be limited to an amount as set forth in Section 8(e) below.
     This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the
     Company or each Selling Shareholder may otherwise have.

          (b)  Each Underwriter severally and not jointly agrees to indemnify
     and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers
     who signs the Registration Statement, and each person who controls the
     Company within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act and each
     Selling Shareholder, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity to each
     Underwriter, but only with reference to written information relating to
     such Underwriter furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such
     Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for inclusion in the
     documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity. This indemnity agreement
     will be in addition to any liability which any Underwriter may otherwise
     have. The Company and the Selling Shareholder acknowledge that the
     statements set forth in the last paragraph of the cover page regarding
     delivery of the Securities, under the heading "Underwriting", the sentences
     related to concessions and reallowances and the paragraph related to
     stabilization, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids and passive
     market making in any Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus constitute
     the only information furnished in writing by or on behalf of the several
     Underwriters for inclusion in any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus.

          (c)  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section
     8 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will,
     if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party
     under this Section 8, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the
     commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party
     (i) will not relieve it from liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above
     unless and to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and only
     to the extent such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying
     party of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event,
     relieve the indemnifying party from any

                                     A-26
<PAGE>

     obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification
     obligation provided in paragraph (a) or (b) above. The indemnifying party
     shall be entitled to appoint counsel of the indemnifying party's choice at
     the indemnifying party's expense to represent the indemnified party in any
     action for which indemnification is sought (in which case the indemnifying
     party shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any
     separate counsel retained by the indemnified party or parties except as set
     forth below); provided, however, that such counsel shall be satisfactory to
                   --------  -------
     the indemnified party. Notwithstanding the indemnifying party's election to
     appoint counsel to represent the indemnified party in an action, the
     indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel
     (including local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall bear the
     reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if (i) the use
     of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified
     party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest, (ii) the
     actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include
     both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified
     party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses
     available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from
     or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, (iii) the
     indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the
     indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable
     time after notice of the institution of such action or (iv) the
     indemnifying party shall authorize the indemnified party to employ separate
     counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party. An indemnifying party
     will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties,
     settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect
     to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect
     of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether
     or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such
     claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an
     unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising
     out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding.

          (d)  In the event that the indemnity provided in paragraph (a) or (b)
     of this Section 8 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an
     indemnified party for any reason, the Company and the Selling Shareholders,
     severally and not jointly, and the Underwriters severally agree to
     contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities
     (including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with
     investigating or defending same) (collectively "Losses") to which the
     Company, the Selling Shareholder and one or more of the Underwriters may be
     subject in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
     benefits received by the Company and each Selling Shareholder on the one
     hand and by the Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the
     Securities; provided, however, that in no case shall any Underwriter
                 --------  -------
     (except as may be provided in any agreement among underwriters relating to
     the offering of the Securities) be responsible for any amount in excess of
     the underwriting discount or commission applicable to the Securities
     purchased by such Underwriter hereunder. If the allocation provided by the
     immediately preceding sentence is unavailable for any reason, the Company
     and each Selling Shareholder, severally and not jointly, and the
     Underwriters severally shall contribute in such proportion as is
     appropriate to reflect not

                                     A-27
<PAGE>

     only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company and
     each Selling Shareholder on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the
     other hand in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in
     such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.
     Benefits received by the Company and each Selling Shareholder shall be
     deemed to be equal to the total net proceeds from the offering (before
     deducting expenses) received by it, and benefits received by the
     Underwriters shall be deemed to be equal to the total underwriting
     discounts and commissions, in each case as set forth on the cover page of
     the Prospectus. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among
     other things, whether any untrue or any alleged untrue statement of a
     material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact
     relates to information provided by the Company or either of the Selling
     Shareholders on the one hand or the Underwriters on the other, the intent
     of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and
     opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The
     Company, each of the Selling Shareholders and the Underwriters agree that
     it would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro
     rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take
     account of the equitable considerations referred to above. Notwithstanding
     the provisions of this paragraph (d), no person guilty of fraudulent
     misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be
     entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
     fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 8, each person
     who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or the
     Exchange Act and each director, officer, employee and agent of an
     Underwriter shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter,
     and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either the
     Act or the Exchange Act, each officer of the Company who shall have signed
     the Registration Statement and each director of the Company shall have the
     same rights to contribution as the Company, subject in each case to the
     applicable terms and conditions of this paragraph (d).

          (e)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the liability of each Selling
     Shareholder under such Selling Shareholder's representations and warranties
     contained in Section 1 hereof and under the indemnity and contribution
     agreements contained in this Section 8 shall be limited to an amount equal
     to the initial public offering price of the Securities sold by each Selling
     Shareholder to the Underwriters. The Company and each Selling Shareholder
     may agree, as among themselves and without limiting the rights of the
     Underwriters under this Agreement, as to the respective amounts of such
     liability for which they each shall be responsible.

          9.   Default by an Underwriter. If any one or more Underwriters shall
fail to purchase and pay for any of the Securities agreed to be purchased by
such Underwriter or Underwriters hereunder and such failure to purchase shall
constitute a default in the performance of its or their obligations under this
Agreement, the remaining Underwriters shall be obligated severally to take up
and pay for (in the respective proportions which the amount of Securities set
forth opposite their names in Schedule I hereto bears to the aggregate amount of
Securities set forth opposite the names of all the remaining Underwriters) the
Securities which the defaulting

                                     A-28
<PAGE>

Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase; provided, however,
                                                           --------  -------
that in the event that the aggregate amount of Securities which the defaulting
Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase shall exceed 10% of
the aggregate amount of Securities set forth in Schedule I hereto, the remaining
Underwriters shall have the right to purchase all, but shall not be under any
obligation to purchase any, of the Securities, and if such nondefaulting
Underwriters do not purchase all the Securities, this Agreement will terminate
without liability to any nondefaulting Underwriter, the Company or Selling
Shareholder. In the event of a default by any Underwriter as set forth in this
Section 9, the Closing Date shall be postponed for such period, not exceeding
five Business Days, as the Representatives shall determine in order that the
required changes in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or in any
other documents or arrangements may be effected. Nothing contained in this
Agreement shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter of its liability, if any, to
the Company, a Selling Shareholder and any nondefaulting Underwriter for damages
occasioned by its default hereunder.

          10.  Termination. This Agreement shall be subject to termination in
the absolute discretion of the Representatives, by notice given to the Company
and the Selling Shareholder prior to delivery of and payment for the Securities,
if at any time prior to such time (i) trading in the Company's Common Stock
shall have been suspended by the Commission or the Nasdaq National Market or
trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq
National Market shall have been suspended or limited or minimum prices shall
have been established on such Exchange or the Nasdaq National Market, (ii) a
banking moratorium shall have been declared either by Federal or New York State
authorities or (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of
hostilities, declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war, or
other calamity or crisis the effect of which on financial markets is such as to
make it, in the sole judgment of the Representatives, impractical or inadvisable
to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by
the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

          11.  Representations and Indemnities to Survive. The respective
agreements, representations, warranties, indemnities and other statements of the
Selling Shareholder, the Company or its officers and of the Underwriters set
forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and
effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Selling
Shareholder, any Underwriter or the Company or any of the officers, directors,
employees, agents or controlling persons referred to in Section 8 hereof, and
will survive delivery of and payment for the Securities. The provisions of
Sections 7 and 8 hereof shall survive the termination or cancellation of this
Agreement.

          12.  Notices. All communications hereunder will be in writing and
effective only on receipt, and, if sent to the Representatives, will be mailed,
delivered or telefaxed to the Salomon Smith Barney Inc. General Counsel (fax
no.: (212) 816-7912) and confirmed to the General Counsel, Salomon Smith Barney
Inc., at 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York, 10013, Attention: General
Counsel; or, if sent to the Company, will be mailed, delivered or telefaxed to
Chief Financial Officer at 310 De Guigne Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94086, facsimile:

                                     A-29
<PAGE>

(408) 720-0196, or if sent to either of the Selling Shareholders, will be mailed
or delivered to c/o Vincent Coates at 1080 Leonello Avenue, Los Altos, CA 94024.

          13.  Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the
officers, directors, employees, agents and controlling persons referred to in
Section 8 hereof, and no other person will have any right or obligation
hereunder.

          14.  Applicable Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts
made and to be performed within the State of New York.

          15.  Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

          16.  Headings. The section headings used herein are for convenience
only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

          17.  Definitions. The terms which follow, when used in this Agreement,
shall have the meanings indicated.

               "Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
     rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

               "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday
     or a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust
     companies are authorized or obligated by law to close in New York City.

               "Effective Date" shall mean each date and time that the
     Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment or amendments thereto
     and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement became or become effective.

               "Execution Time" shall mean the date and time that this Agreement
     is executed and delivered by the parties hereto.

               "Rule 424", "Rule 430A" and "Rule 462" refer to such rules under
     the Act.

               "Rule 430A Information" shall mean information with respect to
     the Securities and the offering thereof permitted to be omitted from the
     Registration Statement when it becomes effective pursuant to Rule 430A.

               If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our
agreement, please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate hereof, whereupon
this letter and your acceptance shall represent a binding agreement among the
Company, each of the Selling

                                     A-30
<PAGE>

Shareholders and the several Underwriters.

                                 Very truly yours,

                                 Nanometrics Incorporated


                                 By: _____________________
                                     Name: Paul Nolan
                                     Title: Chief Financial Officer


                                 Selling Shareholders

                                 Vincent J. Coates 1999 Charitable Trust UTA
                                    dated December 17, 1999

                                 By: _____________________
                                     Name:
                                     Title:

                                 Vincent J. Coates Foundation


                                 By: _____________________
                                     Name:
                                     Title:

                                     A-31
<PAGE>

The foregoing Agreement is hereby
confirmed and accepted as of the date first
above written.

Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
Needham & Company, Inc.
Soundview Technology Group
Tucker Anthony Cleary Gull

By:  Salomon Smith Barney Inc.

By:

    ________________________
    Name:
    Title:

For themselves and the other several
Underwriters named in Schedule I to the
foregoing Agreement.

                                     A-32
<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE I
                                  ----------

                                                  Number of Underwritten
                                                     Securities to be
Underwriters                                             Purchased
                                                  ----------------------

Salomon Smith Barney Inc...................
Soundview Technology Group, Inc............
Tucker Anthony Inc.........................
Needham & Company..........................




                                                        -----------

          Total............................              3,500,000
                                                        ===========
<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE II
                                  -----------

                                                  Number of Underwritten
                                                     Securities to be
Selling Shareholders                                       Sold
                                                  ----------------------
Vincent J. Coates 1999 Charitable Trust
   UTA dated December 17, 1999............               1,000,000

Vincent J. Coates Foundation..............                 750,000

<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT A
                                   ---------

                               LOCK-UP AGREEMENT
                               -----------------



                           Nanometrics Incorporated

                        Public Offering of Common Stock

                                                              January  ___, 2000

Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
Needham & Company, Inc.
SoundView Technology Group, Inc.
Tucker Anthony Cleary Gull
as representatives of the several Underwriters,
c/o Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
388 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10013

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          This letter is being delivered to you in connection with the proposed
Underwriting Agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement"), between Nanometrics
Incorporated, a California corporation (the "Company"), and each of you as
representatives of a group of Underwriters named therein, relating to an
underwritten public offering of Common Stock, no par value (the "Common Stock"),
of the Company.

          In order to induce you and the other Underwriters to enter into the
Underwriting Agreement, the undersigned will not, without the prior written
consent of Salomon Smith Barney Inc., offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or
otherwise dispose of, (or enter into any transaction which is designed to, or
might reasonably be expected to, result in the disposition (whether by actual
disposition or effective economic disposition due to cash settlement or
otherwise) by the Company or any affiliate of the Company or any person in
privity with the Company or any affiliate of the Company) directly or
indirectly, including the filing (or participation in the filing) of a
registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect
of, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease
a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder with respect to, any
shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into, or
exercisable or exchangeable for such capital stock, or publicly announce an
intention to effect any such transaction, for a period of 90 days after the date
of the final Prospectus.

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the undersigned is an individual, he
or she may transfer any or all of the Shares either during his or her lifetime
or on death by gift, will or intestacy to his or her immediate family or to a
trust, partnership or other entity, the beneficiaries, partners or equity
holders of which are exclusively the undersigned and/or a member or members of
his or her immediate family; provided, however, that in any such case, it

                                      A-1
<PAGE>

shall be a condition to such transfer that the transferee execute an agreement
stating that the transferee is receiving and holding the Shares subject to the
provisions of this Agreement, and there shall be no further transfer of such
Shares except in accordance with this Agreement. For purposes of this paragraph,
"immediate family" shall mean lineal descendant, spouse, adopted child, father,
mother, brother or sister of the transferor and the spouses, adopted children
and lineal descendants of any of the foregoing.

          If for any reason the Underwriting Agreement shall be terminated prior
to the Closing Date (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement), the agreement
set forth above shall likewise be terminated.  In any event, the agreement set
forth above shall terminate if the pricing of the public offering shall not have
occurred prior to or on May 31, 2000.

                                             Yours very truly,


                                             _______________________________
                                             Signature

                                             _______________________________
                                             Print Name

                                      A-2
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT B
                                   ---------

                           OPINION OF FENWICK & WEST
                           -------------------------

                                      B-1
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT C
                                   ---------

                            FORM OF PATENT OPINION

          Such counsel are familiar with the technology used by the Company in
its business and the manner of its use thereof and have read the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus, including particularly the portions of the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus referring to patents, trade secrets,
trademarks, service marks or other proprietary information or materials and:

     (a)  The Company is listed in the records of the United States Patent and
          Trademark Office as the holder of record of the patents listed on a
          schedule to such opinion (the "Patents") and each of the applications
          listed on a schedule to such opinion (the "Applications").

     (b)  The Company is listed in the records of the appropriate foreign
          offices as the holder of record of the foreign patents listed on a
          schedule to such opinion (the "Foreign Patents") and each of the
          applications listed on a schedule to such opinion (the "Foreign
          Applications").

     (c)  As to the statements under the captions "Risk Factors -- 'Successful
          infringement claims by third parties could result in substantial
          damages, lost product sales and the loss of important intellectual
          property rights by us' and 'Successful infringement claims by third
          parties could result in substantial damages, lost product sales and
          the loss of important intellectual property rights by us'" and
          "Business -- Intellectual Property" and "Business-Legal Proceedings"
          nothing has come to the attention of such counsel which caused them to
          believe that the above-mentioned sections of the Registration
          Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto made available and
          reviewed by such counsel, at the time the Registration Statement
          became effective and at all times subsequent thereto up to and on the
          Closing Date and on any later date on which Option Securities are to
          be purchased, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or
          omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
          necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
          circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

                                      C-1
<PAGE>

                                    ANNEX A
                                    -------

                  List of Subsidiaries Pursuant to 1(a)(xxix)

<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 5.1
                [WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI LETTERHEAD]


                                March 1, 2000



Nanometrics Incorporated
310 DeGuigne Drive
Sunnyvale, California 94086

     RE:   Registration Statement on Form S-2

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-2 filed by you with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 21, 2000 (the "Registration
Statement") in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, of 3,500,000 shares of Common Stock (the "Shares"), 1,750,000
of which are presently issued and outstanding and will be sold by certain
selling shareholders (the "Selling Shareholders").

     We assume that the Shares are to be sold as described in the Registration
Statement. As your counsel in connection with this transaction, we have examined
the proceedings taken and proposed to the taken in connection with said sale of
the Shares.

     It is our opinion that the 2,275,000 Shares (including 525,000 Shares
subject to the underwriters' over-allotment option) to be sold by the Selling
Shareholders pursuant to the Registration Statement are validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable and that the 1,750,000 Shares that may be issued and sold
by you, when issued and sold in accordance in the manner referred to in the
Registration Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

     We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement, including the Prospectuses constituting a part thereof,
and any amendment thereto.

                                     Very truly yours,

                                     WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                     Professional Corporation


                                     /s/ Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.

<PAGE>


                                                               EXHIBIT 23.2

                       INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

   We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Amendment No. 2 to
Registration Statement No. 333-95115 of Nanometrics Incorporated on Form S-2 of
our report dated February 15, 2000, included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K
of Nanometrics Incorporated for the year ended December 31, 1999, and to the
use of our report dated February 15, 2000, appearing in the Prospectus, which
is part of this Registration Statement.

   We also consent to the reference to us under the headings "Selected
Consolidated Financial Data" and "Experts" in such Prospectus.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

San Jose, California

March 1, 2000


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