TUCSON, Ariz., Sept. 1 -- Veeco Metrology Group has received orders valued at $3.5 million from a leading data storage manufacturer for in-situ optical metrology tools. The multiple unit orders are for Veeco's high speed, fully automated, non-contact optical profilers, which are to be integrated in a giant magnetoresistive thin film manufacturing head production process at slider level in order to measure advanced air bearing properties. Veeco expects to complete shipment of the orders by the end of the year. These orders are evidence of a growing awareness among thin film head manufacturers of the economic benefits of in-situ production-level slider testing, stated Lloyd LaComb, Veeco's vice president and general manager. Higher areal density is driving increased metrology in production environments. The added benefit is that integrated metrology is improving giant magnetoresistive yields.