Albuquerque, N.M., May 26 -- In a move designed to bolster its operations in the European laser market, CVI Laser Corp. announced that is has purchased Technical Optics Ltd. (TOL). TOL, located on the Isle of Man (Brit. Isles), is a 25-year veteran in the laser optics and optical thin film coatings industry. TOL will retain its production facility on the Isle of Man. The merging of CVI's UK-based operations with TOL will create one of Europe's largest thin-film-coating facilities. CVI will continue to focus on the manufacturing of laser optics and on technical support for its customers. According to CVI Chairman Haggie Hahn: TOL fits naturally into CVI's strategic focus on high quality laser optics. This acquisition will enable us to improve our participation in the European laser market. Under terms of the agreement Melles Griot Photonics -- TOL's former proprietor -- will keep TOL products in its product line and will retain worldwide sales representation for TOL. In addition, Melles Griot will now have sales representation for CVI products.