ESI Partners with KVD to Offer Seamless Integration of Mixed-Signal Tester with Thin-Film Laser Trimming Solution.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- KVD Joins Growing List of Leading Industry Test and Prober Manufacturers with Products Integrated onto ESI's 2100 Platform

ESI (Nasdaq:ESIO), a leading provider of world-class production laser systems for microengineering applications, today announced its Model 2100 thin-film-on-silicon (TFOS) laser trimming system has been integrated with the M2t mixed-signal test system manufactured by KVD Company, Inc. By enabling the flexibility to choose the right tester and prober to meet chipmakers' specific process needs, KVD now joins a growing number of leading industry test manufacturers partnering with ESI to optimize processes for today's linear, mixed-signal and sensor laser trimming requirements.

"We are impressed with ESI's laser trimming technology and the efficiency we can achieve by integrating the Model 2100's advanced interface methods into our tester," said Veets Veitas, partner, KVD Co. "By utilizing ESI's high-speed ETTL link, we can minimize the communication time between the laser and the tester. The combination of modern laser and prober technology with the M2t mixed-signal test system thus provides customers with very high throughput."

ESI Director of Laser Trim Solutions Robert Selley noted, "In looking to provide the broadest and most flexible solutions for our customers, we view collaboration with KVD as a natural choice. The M2t provides a wealth of engineering and production software tools that integrate well with our system. As part of a growing list of industry-leading test manufacturers, KVD is now strategically positioned to provide turnkey applications solutions for customers on the ESI 2100 platform."

The Model 2100 is a revolutionary approach to thin-film trimming, offering customers the freedom to utilize the prober and tester of their choice. Providing superior accuracy and vibration resistance, a robust kinematic mount design enables the mating of the trim head to the prober. The trim head can be disengaged in seconds for standalone prober operation, providing maximum flexibility for manufacturers managing changes in their production mix.

The Model 2100 is available with ESI's patented 1.3 micron laser trimming process or with the 1.0 micron laser option for customers who have existing processes designed around that wavelength. The 1.3 micron wavelength significantly improves the process window and virtually eliminates the optoelectrical effects that plague conventional laser trimming processes. ESI's recipe-based architecture sets a new standard for ease of use and reduces the tester programming requirements, which greatly simplifies new program development.

About KVD

KVD Company, Inc. is a leading high-technology supplier of semiconductor automated test equipment (ATE) for the mixed-signal market. The company was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Carlsbad, Calif., just outside of San Diego, with sales, service and applications offices in Texas, Massachusetts and Colorado. KVD manufactures a family of mixed-signal ATE for applications including power management, ADC and DAC, and CMOS imager devices. More information is available at www.kvdco.com.

About ESI

ESI (Electro Scientific Industries) is a pioneer and leading supplier of world-class production laser systems that help its microelectronics customers achieve compelling yield and productivity gains. The company's industry-leading, application-specific products enhance electronic-device performance in three key sectors -- semiconductors, components and electronic interconnect -- by enabling precision fine-tuning of device microfeatures in high-volume manufacturing environments. Founded in 1944, ESI is headquartered in Portland, Ore. More information is available at www.esi.com.