Milpitas, California. July 14, 2009.

Nanometrics Delivers Follow-On Unifire System to Leading Hard Drive Manufacturer

Nanometrics Incorporated (Nasdaq: NANO), a leading supplier of advanced process control metrology systems used primarily in the manufacturing of semiconductors, solar photovoltaics and high-brightness LEDs, today announced the delivery of a Unifire™ metrology system equipped with the Advanced Film Capability (AFC) option. The Unifire technology configured with AFC enables the simultaneous, nondestructive measurement of film thickness and step height metrology within the industry’s smallest test areas and targets. This system is a follow-on order currently being qualified to support a leading hard drive manufacturer’s production capacity for advanced magnetic heads.

“We are pleased with the traction of the Unifire product in both the semiconductor and magnetic head manufacturing sectors. Unifire systems are being placed into specific segments that leverage the unique capabilities of the interferometer measurement technology,” commented Michael Darwin, Vice President of the Unifire Product Group at Nanometrics. “Our customers are deploying the Unifire systems to monitor critical process parameters including device topography, film thickness and step height, many of which can only be observed non-destructively with our proprietary small-spot AFC technology.”

Nanometrics’ Unifire platform has been deployed across front-end manufacturing and advanced packaging processes in applications including lithography, etch, chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) and thin film deposition.

About Nanometrics
Nanometrics is a leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of high-performance process control metrology systems used primarily in the manufacturing of semiconductors, solar photovoltaics and high-brightness LEDs, as well as by customers in the silicon wafer and data storage industries. Nanometrics standalone and integrated metrology systems measure various thin film properties, critical dimensions, overlay control, topography, and optical, electrical and material properties, including the structural composition of silicon, compound semiconductor and photovoltaic devices, during various steps of the manufacturing process, from front end of line substrate manufacturing through die preparation for advanced packaging. These systems enable device manufacturers to improve yields, increase productivity and lower their manufacturing costs. The company maintains its headquarters in Milpitas, California, with sales and service offices worldwide. Nanometrics is traded on NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol NANO. Nanometrics’ website is http://www.nanometrics.com.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements regarding the qualification and capabilities of Unifire metrology systems. Although Nanometrics believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from the expectations due to a variety of factors including difficulties with the qualification process. For additional information and considerations regarding the risks faced by Nanometrics, see its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2008 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other periodic reports filed with the SEC from time to time. Nanometrics disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement.

Contact
Nanometrics Contact:
Kevin Heidrich
408.545.6000 tel, 408.317.1346 fax
kheidrich@nanometrics.com

Investor Relations:
Claire McAdams
Headgate Partners LLC
530-265-9899 tel; 530-265-9699 fax
claire@headgatepartners.com