Helionetics unit receives $600,000 order for laser systems for Tokyo Electron Ltd.: Company says additional orders from Japanese semiconductor manufacturers and research groups could exceed $2 million.

VAN NUYS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 16, 1996--Helionetics Inc. (OTC BB: HLXC) Tuesday said a subsidiary, Laser Photonics Inc. (LPI), Orlando, Fla., has received an initial $600,000 purchase order from INDECO Inc. for LPI tunable diode laser systems for shipment to Tokyo Electron Ltd., the largest semiconductor manufacturer in Japan.

Helionetics said additional orders could exceed $2 million. The first systems are scheduled for delivery in September 1996. (LPI shares trade publicly on OTC BB: LSPT.)

INDECO, exclusive distributor of LPI analytical products in Japan, said Tokyo Electron has been contracted by the Research Development Corp. of Japan (RDCJ), an agency of the Japanese government, to develop future generation Plasma Etching Systems for use by semiconductor manufacturers.

LPI's tunable diode system was chosen to be used in the production of semiconductors destined for computers and communications.

According to Ed Renfer, general manager of LPI's analytical division, developer of the diode laser systems, said: "plasma etching is a process which creates electronic circuit designs during the fabrication of semiconductor wafers."

He said the "key to the next generation of semiconductor devices rests with the ability to achieve precise and repeatable damage-free, high-density plasma processing of 0.18um, or finer, devices. The manufacturers which adopt these goals will produce high circuit density devices which will be many times more powerful that anything available today."

Renfer said: "LPI's laser system will allow these manufacturers to obtain the process control needed for higher yielding, faster and more reliable semiconductor devices," adding "we are indeed excited that LPI's state-of-the-art laser systems were chosen to be used in the development of this 21st century technology."

LPI President and Chief Executive Steve Qualls said: "Tokyo Electron and the RDCJ are committed to advanced electronics technology and RDCJ has committed significant budget for the development of this groundbreaking technology which was developed by Dr. Goto of Nogoya University."

Qualls said LPI expects orders from other Japanese semiconductor manufacturers and research groups for a minimum of an additional 20 systems.

LPI's analytical division has a long history of supplying similar lasers which have been used for advanced research, such as high resolution spectroscopy and atmospheric chemistry. In addition, industrial systems have been used for combustion diagnostic studies and pollution monitoring. Qualls said "these are `high-end' instruments designed for research requiring a high level of sophistication and performance."

LPI designs, develops and manufactures solid state and gas laser systems for use in medical and scientific applications. AccuLase, an LPI subsidiary, has designed and manufactured an excimer laser for use in transmyocardial revascularization (TMR), a promising new technology for the treatment of heart disease, and has completed successfully preclinical trials.

AccuLase expects to seek approval within the next several weeks for human testing from the Food and Drug Administration. Human testing, or Phase I trials, are expected to commence this summer.

CONTACT: Laser Photonics Inc.

Steven Qualls, 800/624-3628

LPI Analytical Division

Ed Renfer, 800/344-0621

or

ACC Communications

Paul Keil/Andy Malone, 714/487-1988 or 714/366-5803