Applied Materials Acquiring Oramir

SANTA CLARA, Calif., June 1 -- Applied Materials Inc., a supplier of inspection solutions to the semiconductor industry, has signed an agreement to acquire Oramir Semiconductor Equipment Ltd., of Yoqneam, Israel. Oramir specializes in advanced laser cleaning technologies for semiconductor wafers. The acquisition, which involves an undisclosed cash amount, is pending approval by the Israeli government.

Upon completion of the agreement Oramir will be integrated with Applied Materials' Process Diagnotics and Control (PDC) Business Group, headquartered in Rehovot, Israel. Oramir's laser cleaning technology complements Applied Materials' extensive portfolio of wafer inspection solutions that includes advanced defect detection, review and metrology systems.