News & Events

Santa Barbara, CA and Chicago, IL, April 4, 2003 — Veeco Instruments Inc. (Nasdaq: VECO) announces the exclusive licensing of DPNWrite™, a NanoInk product, for the AutoProbe CP-Research scanning probe microscope (SPM). The DPNWrite package is an upgrade to CP-R instruments that enables researchers to use NanoInk's patented Dip Pen Nanolithography (DPN™) process to perform custom-designed nanolithography experiments. DPNWrite software uses integrated CAD-like design, and offers alignment and calibration features to create precise, nanoscale patterns with the CP-Research. It leverages the unique capabilities of NanoInk's DPN process to pattern with novel materials and in configurations that were never before possible. Combined with the CP-Research SPM, this package provides the most powerful tool available for nanolithography.

"To bring exceptional nanolithography capabilities to the CP-Research platform, we were first looking for a package that made lithography tasks easy and customizable," explains Ken Babcock, General Manager at Veeco Metrology Group. "The DPNWrite package's CAD-like and automation capabilities met these requirements. Dip pen nanolithography ideally suits the strengths of our SPMs, because it uses molecular interactions to literally draw on surfaces. The combination of DPNWrite capabilities and the CP-Research's precision probe control should not only make nanolithography applications easier, it should also greatly expand the experimental possibilities available to the researcher."

The DPNWrite package allows users to create nanoscale patterns, including words, from scratch or from imported files. These can be performed automatically in single batches or separately with multi-ink layers. Complete control of nanostructure building and properties remains with the user. DPNWrite software runs independently from other SPM control software.

About the Dip Pen Nanolithography Technique
The DPN technique is a pattern-making process that was initially developed using the invisibly small tip of an atomic force microscope (AFM). Functioning much like a quill pen, this microscopic tip is coated in molecules, such as DNA. The molecules are then deposited onto a surface (including silicon, gold and glass) to create nanometer scale structures.

DPN technology can be used with virtually any molecule, or "ink", and patterned onto virtually any surface, or "paper". In addition, DPN technology is capable of extremely precise alignment. The universality of the process makes it very attractive not only as a research tool but also a viable industrial process.

About Veeco Instruments Inc.
Veeco Instruments Inc. provides solutions for nanoscale applications in the worldwide semiconductor, data storage, telecommunications/wireless and scientific research markets. Our Metrology products are used to measure at the nanoscale and our Process Equipment tools help create nanoscale devices. Veeco's manufacturing and engineering facilities are located in New York, California, Colorado, Arizona and Minnesota. Global sales and service offices are located throughout the United States, Europe, Japan and Asia Pacific. Additional information on Veeco may be found by visiting www.veeco.com.

About NanoInk, Inc.
NanoInk, Inc. is a venture-backed nanotechnology company providing a platform process for nano-scale fabrication. Founded in 2001 by Northwestern University professor Chad Mirkin, the firm is headquartered in Chicago, IL. It partners with corporations and research institutions in order to use proprietary technologies as manufacturing and research tools. For more information, see www.nanoink-inc.com.

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