<PAGE>
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S><C>
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) AUGUST 1, 2000
----------------------------------------------------------------
CREDENCE SYSTEMS CORPORATION
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 000-22366 94-2878499
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
215 FOURIER AVENUE, FREMONT, CALIFORNIA 94539
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (510) 657-7400
--------------------------------------------------------------
NONE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Item 5. Other Events.
On August 1, 2000, the Registrant issued a press release announcing the
registrant's acquisition of Modulation Instruments, Inc.
Item 7. Exhibits.
Press Release disseminated on August 1, 2000 announcing the registrant's
acquisition of Modulation Instruments, Inc.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
CREDENCE SYSTEMS CORPORATION
------------------------------
(Registrant)
Date: August 1, 2000 By /s/ DENNIS WOLF
------------------------------
Name: Dennis Wolf
Title: Chief Financial Officer
<PAGE>
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
----------- -----------
99.1 Press Release disseminated on August 1, 2000
announcing the registrant's acquisition of Modulation
Instruments, Inc.
