PLAINVIEW, NY, Oct. 16 -- Veeco Instruments Inc. received $3 million in orders from several optical telecommunications companies for automated measurement and test systems and laser diode inspection tools for fiber optic components. Veeco's automated measurement and test systems are used to inspect and sort dense wavelength division multiplexing filters in order to maximize substrate yield and minimize downstream processing of out-of-spec parts. Shipments are slated for early next year, Veeco said. These orders indicate Veeco's success in becoming a 'one-stop shop' for equipment and metrology solutions for the rapidly expanding optical telecommunications marketplace, said Edward H. Braun, chairman, CEO and president of Veeco. We are gratified that our existing relationships with these leading optical companies, who have already purchased our optical deposition equipment systems, have now led to metrology purchases. It is our intention to work closely with our customers to improve their time to market for next generation DWDM filters and active devices.