Milpitas, California. September 7, 2004---Nanometrics, Inc. (Nasdaq: NANO), a leading supplier of advanced integrated and standalone metrology equipment for the semiconductor industry, have introduced the Nanometrics Atlas-M High Performance Mask Metrology System, a complete metrology system that combines multiple metrology technologies to provide full characterization of both masks and reticles for linewidth, etch depth, overhang, height and profile measurements in a single tool. The Atlas platform also provides all of the critical metrology technologies necessary for complete film analysis including phase-shifting layers.

The Atlas-M mask metrology system offers automated high-accuracy, high-precision metrology for mask and reticle characterization and control of the manufacturing process. The combination of spectroscopic ellipsometry and spectroscopic reflectometry provides complete materials characterization of the optical properties of the various layer materials throughout the entire mask making process. The system features closed-loop temperature control and mask handling robotics and staging for 150mm x 150mm substrates. In addition, the system is SMIF compatible with both single- and multiple-mask carriers. The Class 1 mini-environment provides defect-free substrate handling and the production-proven platform is SEMI S2/S8 and CE compliant.

“Nanometrics continues to combine multiple metrology technologies within single systems, a trend that benefits customers by providing maximum flexibility and value,” said John Heaton, president and CEO of Nanometrics. “By consolidating critical metrology technologies in the Nanometrics Atlas-M, Nanometrics created a complete metrology solution for mask and reticle process control. The Atlas-M is capable of performing a wider range of measurements than any other single mask metrology system on the market.”

The Nanometrics Atlas-M is available with any combination of the following metrology modules:
• Spectroscopic reflectometer (SR)
• Spectroscopic ellipsometer (SE)
• Normal-incidence spectroscopic ellipsometer (NSE)
The Nanometrics Atlas-M features robust pattern recognition, improved thickness and CD reproducibility and superior throughput. The Atlas-M offers a software interface and advanced automation, both of which are compliant with standards adopted by SEMI and other organizations.

The Atlas-M is fully compatible with Nanometrics’ NanoNet™, the network component of Nanometrics’ N2000 Analysis Platform software, which provides system-to-system matching and seamless recipe transferability. A number of option packages are available for the Atlas-M, including remote diagnostics and health monitoring, DVD system back-up, offline analysis station for remote data analysis and wafer-less recipe creation and a chromaticity feature to measure film color properties.

About Nanometrics:

Nanometrics Incorporated is a leading supplier of advanced integrated and standalone metrology equipment used in the semiconductory industry. The Company's corporate office is located at 1550 Buckeye Drive, Milpitas, CA 95035, with sales and service offices worldwide. Nanometrics is traded on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol NANO.

Nanometrics' website is http://www.nanometrics.com.
Contact:
Peter Gise
Nanometrics
408.435.9600