Veeco
Instruments Inc. (Nasdaq: VECO), a leader in scientific and industrial metrology,
today announced the release of its NT9100S Optical Profiler System specifically
designed to optimize photovoltaic (PV) cell production and process development.
The new NT9100S combines the renowned 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.
"Veeco has a very strong presence in the solar market," said Mark
R. Munch, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Veeco Metrology. "Now, with
our customized NT9100S, we can offer unprecedented 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. We are excited to deliver an affordable, feature-rich
metrology platform that can enable such a wide scope of efficiency-enhancing
applications in solar cell research and production."
The NT9100S is based upon the workhorse 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.
Veeco Instruments Inc. manufactures enabling solutions for customers in the
HB-LED, solar, data storage, semiconductor, scientific research and industrial
markets. We have leading technology positions in our three businesses: LED &
Solar Process Equipment, Data Storage Process Equipment, and Metrology Instruments.
Veeco's manufacturing and engineering facilities are located in New York, New
Jersey, California, Colorado, Arizona, Minnesota and Massachusetts. Global sales
and service offices are located throughout the U.S., Europe, Japan and APAC.