Veeco Introduces NT9100S Optical Profiling System

August 17, 2009 — Veeco Instruments Inc. (Nasdaq: VECO) announced the release of its NT9100S Optical Profiler System designed for photovoltaic (PV) cell production and process development. The new NT9100S combines the performance of Veeco’s NT Series of white light optical profilers with new features and options to enable rapid, three-dimensional surface measurements on 6-inch crystalline silicon PV cells.

Mark R. Munch, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Veeco Metrology said the NT9100S provides the capability to monitor and control surface texture and, more importantly, to match specific surface measurements to solar cell efficiency early in the manufacturing process.” Andrew Masters, Veeco’s Vice President of Segment Marketing and Business Development, added, “The NT9100S brings the power and flexibility of the NT Series Optical Profilers, along with a PV-specific stage and chuck, to solar cell production monitoring.”

 The NT9100S is based on the NT Series product line, and adds a custom 156-millimeter programmable stage for edge-to-edge measurements on a 6-inch PV cell. Other standard features include a porous vacuum chuck that securely and safely affixes a standard PV cell, automation software, field stitching software, and patent-pending, ultra-uniform dual-LED illumination. Running on the industry-leading Vision® software platform, the NT9100S provides access to over 200 distinct analyses, and over 1000 critical parameters for process control and monitoring.