As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June __, 2000
Registration No. 333-

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
The Securities Act Of 1933


NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED
(Exact name of issuer as specified in its charter)


       CALIFORNIA                                    94-2276314
(State of Incorporation)                 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)


310 DeGuigne Drive
Sunnyvale, California 94086
(Address of principal executive offices)

NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
(Full title of the plan)

NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED 2000 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN
(Full title of the plan)

NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED 2000 DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN
(Full title of the plan)


John D. Heaton
Chief Executive Officer
Nanometrics Incorporated
310 DeGuigne Drive
Sunnyvale, California 94086
(408) 746-1600
(Name, address, including zip code and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)


Copy to:
Barry Taylor, Esq.
Tracy Donsky, Esq.
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.
650 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 493-9300

========================================================================================================================




                                             CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
                     Title of                                        Proposed
                    Securities                                        Maximum       Proposed Maximum
                       to be                         Amount to be   Offering Price      Aggregate         Amount of
                    Registered                        Registered     Per Share        offering Price   Registration Fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock, no par value
   To be issued under the Nanometrics Incorporated
     Employee Stock Purchase Plan................        150,000      $42.31(1)     $ 5,394,525,00(1)     $ 1,424.15
Common Stock, no par value
   To be issued under the Nanometrics Incorporated
     2000 Employee Stock Option Plan.............      1,250,000      $42.31(2)     $52,887,500.00(2)     $13,962.30
Common Stock, no par value
   To be issued under the Nanometrics Incorporated
     2000 Director Stock Option Plan.............        250,000      $42.31(2)     $10,577,500.00(2)     $ 2,792.46

Total............................................      1,650,000      $42.31        $68,859,525.00        $18,178.91
========================================================================================================================
(1)  Estimated in accordance with Rule 457 solely for the purpose of calculating
     the  registration  fee. In accordance with Rule 457 (h), the computation is
     based on 85% of the  average of the high and low sale prices for the Common
     Stock of Nanometrics Incorporated reported by the Nasdaq National Market on
     June 30, 2000, which was $42.31 (the "Market Price")
(2)  Estimated in accordance with Rule 457 solely for the purpose of calculating
     the  registration  fee.  In  accordance  with  Rule  457 (c) and  (h),  the
     computation is based on 100% of the Market Price.
========================================================================================================================


NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

The following documents and information previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Nanometrics Incorporated (the "Company" or the "Registrant") are hereby incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:

(1) the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act");

(2) the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2000;

(3) the Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated February 15, 2000; and

(4) the description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, dated April 29, 1985, filed pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities registered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.

Item 4. Description of Securities.

Not Applicable.

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

Not Applicable.

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Section 317 of the California Corporations Code authorizes a court to award, or a corporation's Board of Directors to grant, indemnity to directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act. Article V of the Company's

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Restated Articles of Incorporation and Section 6.1 of Article VI of the Company's Bylaws provide for indemnification of its directors, officers, employees and other agents to the maximum extent permitted by the California Corporations Code. In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its officers and directors.

Item 7. Exemption From Registration Claimed.

Not Applicable.

Item 8. Exhibits.

  EXHIBIT
  NUMBER                                 DESCRIPTION
----------       --------------------------------------------------------------
    4.1          Nanometrics  Incorporated  Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plan, as
                 amended through March 1998.

    4.2          Nanometrics  Incorporated  2000 Employee Stock Option Plan and
                 form of Stock Option Agreements.

    4.3          Nanometrics  Incorporated  2000 Director Stock Option Plan and
                 form of Stock Option Agreements.

    5.1          Opinion  of  Wilson  Sonsini  Goodrich  & Rosati,  P.C.  as to
                 legality of securities being registered.

    23.1         Independent Auditors' Consent.

    23.2         Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati,  P.C.  (contained
                 in Exhibit 5.1).

    24.1         Power of Attorney (contained on signature page hereto).

Item 9. Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

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(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Sunnyvale, State of California, on this 30th day of June, 2000.

NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

/s/ John D. Heaton
-------------------------------------
John D. Heaton
Chief Executive Officer and
    President

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints John D. Heaton and Paul B. Nolan, and each of them acting individually, as his or her attorney-in-fact, each with full power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement on Form S-8, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact, or his or her substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities indicated below on this 30th day of June, 2000.

         Signature                                 Title
------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------
/s/ Vincent J. Coates           Chairman of the Board of Directors and Secretary
------------------------------
Vincent J. Coates

/s/ Paul B. Nolan               Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

------------------------------ (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer) Paul B. Nolan

/s/ Nathaniel Brenner           Director
------------------------------
Nathaniel Brenner

/s/ Norman V. Coates            Director
------------------------------
Norman V. Coates

/s/ John D. Heaton              President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
------------------------------
John D. Heaton

/s/ Edmond R. Ward              Director
------------------------------
Edmond R. Ward

/s/ William G. Oldham           Director
------------------------------
William G. Oldham

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                           NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

                      REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 EXHIBIT
  NUMBER                                 DESCRIPTION
----------       --------------------------------------------------------------

    4.1          Nanometrics  Incorporated  Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plan, as
                 amended through March 1998.

    4.2          Nanometrics  Incorporated  2000 Employee Stock Option Plan and
                 form of Stock Option Agreements.

    4.3          Nanometrics  Incorporated  2000 Director Stock Option Plan and
                 form of Stock Option Agreements.

    5.1          Opinion  of  Wilson  Sonsini  Goodrich  & Rosati,  P.C.  as to
                 legality of securities being registered.

    23.1         Independent Auditors' Consent.

    23.2         Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati,  P.C.  (contained
                 in Exhibit 5.1).

    24.1         Power of Attorney (contained on signature page hereto).


Exhibit 4.1

NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

(As amended through March 1998)

The following constitute the provisions of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan of Nanometrics Incorporated.

1. Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to provide employees of the Company and its Designated Subsidiaries with an opportunity to purchase Common Stock of the Company through accumulated payroll deductions. It is the intention of the Company to have the Plan qualify as an "Employee Stock Purchase Plan" under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended. The provisions of the Plan shall, accordingly, be construed so as to extend and limit participation in a manner consistent with the requirements of that section of the Code.

2. Definitions.

(a) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

(b) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended.

(c) "Common Stock" shall mean the Common stock, no par value, of the Company.

(d) "Company" shall mean Nanometrics Incorporated, a California corporation.

(e) "Compensation" shall mean all regular straight time gross earnings, exclusive of payments for overtime, shift premium, incentive compensation, incentive payments, bonuses, commissions or other compensation.

(f) "Designated Subsidiaries" shall mean the Subsidiaries which have been designated by the Board from time to time in its sole discretion as eligible to participate in the Plan.

(g) "Employee" shall mean any person, including an officer, who is customarily employed for at least twenty (20) hours per week and more than five (5) months in a calendar year by the Company or one of its Designated Subsidiaries. For purposes of the Plan, the employment relationship shall be treated as continuing intact while the individual is on sick leave or other leave of absence approved by the Company. Where the period of leave exceeds 90 days and the individual's right to reemployment is not guaranteed either by statute or by contract, the employment relationship shall be deemed to have terminated on the 91st day of such leave.

(h) "Exercise Date" shall mean the last day of each offering period of the Plan.


(i) "Offering Date" shall mean the first day of each offering period of the Plan.

(j) "Plan" shall mean this Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

(k) "Subsidiary" shall mean a corporation, domestic or foreign, of which not less than 50% of the voting shares are held by the Company or a Subsidiary, whether or not such corporation now exists or is hereafter organized or acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary.

3. Eligibility.

(a) Any Employee as defined in paragraph 2 who shall be employed by the Company on the date his participation in the Plan is effective shall be eligible to participate in the Plan, subject to limitations imposed by
Section 423(b) of the Code.

(b) Any provisions of the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, no Employee shall be granted an option under the Plan (i) if, immediately after the grant, such Employee (or any other person whose stock would be attributed to such Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) would own stock and/or hold outstanding options to purchase stock possessing five percent (5%) or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or of any subsidiary of the Company, or (ii) which permits his rights to purchase stock under all employee stock purchase plans of the Company and its subsidiaries to accrue at a rate which exceeds Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) of fair market value of such stock (determined at the time such option is granted) for each calendar year in which such option is outstanding at any time.

4. Offering Periods. The Plan shall be implemented by one offering during each six month period of the Plan, commencing on or about September 28, 1986, and continuing thereafter until terminated in accordance with paragraph 19 hereof. The Board of Directors of the Company shall have the power to change the duration of offering periods with respect to future offerings without shareholder approval if such change is announced at least fifteen (15) days prior to the scheduled beginning of the first offering period to be affected.

5. Participation.

(a) An eligible Employee may become a participant in the Plan by completing a subscription agreement authorizing payroll deduction on the form provided by the Company and filing it with the Company's payroll office prior to the applicable Offering Date, unless a later time for filing the subscription agreement is set by the Board for all eligible Employees with respect to a given offering.

(b) Payroll deductions for a participant shall commence on the first payroll following the Offering Date and shall end on the Exercise Date of the offering to which such authorization is applicable, unless sooner terminated by the participant as provided in paragraph 10.

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6. Payroll Deductions.

(a) At the time a participant files his subscription agreement, he shall elect to have payroll deductions made on each payday during the offering period in an amount not exceeding ten percent (10%) of the Compensation which he received on the payday immediately preceding the Offering Date, and the aggregate of such payroll deductions during the offering period shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of his aggregate Compensation during said offering period.

(b) All payroll deductions made by a participant shall be credited to his account under the Plan. A participant may not make any additional payments into such account.

(c) A participant may discontinue his participation in the Plan as provided in paragraph 10, or may lower but not increase, the rate of his payroll deductions during the offering period by completing or filing with the Company a new authorization for payroll deduction. The change in rate shall be effective fifteen (15) days following the Company's receipt of the new authorization.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent necessary to comply with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code and Section 3(b) hereof, a participant's payroll deductions may be decreased to zero percent (0%) at any time during an Offering Period. Payroll deductions shall recommence at the rate provided in such participant's subscription agreement at the beginning of the first Offering Period which is scheduled to end in the following calendar year, unless terminated by the participant as provided in Section 10 hereof.

(e) At the time the option is exercised, in whole or in part, or at the time some or all of the Company's Common Stock issued under the Plan is disposed of, the participant must make adequate provision for the Company's federal, state, or other tax withholding obligations, if any, which arise upon the exercise of the option or the disposition of the Common Stock. At any time, the Company may, but shall not be obligated to, withhold from the participant's compensation the amount necessary for the Company to meet applicable withholding obligations, including any withholding required to make available to the Company any tax deductions or benefits attributable to sale or early disposition of Common Stock by the Employee.

7. Grant of Option.

(a) On the Offering Date of each six month offering period, each eligible Employee participating in the Plan shall be granted an option to purchase (at the per share option price) up to a number of shares of the Company's Common Stock determined by dividing such Employee's payroll deductions to be accumulated during such offering period (not to exceed an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of his Compensation as of the date of the commencement of the applicable offering period) by eighty-five percent (85%) of the fair market value of a share of the Company's Common Stock on the Offering Date, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 3(b) and 12 hereof; provided that in no event shall an Employee be permitted to purchase during each Offering Period more than 5,000 shares (subject to any adjustment pursuant to Section 19), and provided further that such purchase shall be subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 3(b) and

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12 hereof. Exercise of the option shall occur as provided in Section 8 hereof, unless the participant has withdrawn pursuant to Section 10 hereof. The Option shall expire on the last day of the Offering Period. Fair market value of a share of the Company's Common Stock shall be determined as provided in Section 7(b) herein.

(b) The option price per share of the shares offered in a given offering period shall be the lower of: (i) 85% of the fair market value of a share of the Common Stock of the Company on the Offering Date; or (ii) 85% of the fair market value of a share of the Common Stock of the Company on the Exercise Date. The fair market value of the Company's Common Stock on a given date shall be determined by the Board in its discretion; provided, however, that where there is a public market for the Common Stock, the fair market value per Share shall be the mean of the bid and asked prices of the Common Stock for such date, as reported in the Wall Street Journal (or, if not so reported, as otherwise reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation (NASDAQ) System) or, in the event the Common Stock is listed on a stock exchange, the fair market value per Share shall be the closing price on such exchange on such date, as reported in the Wall Street Journal.

8. Exercise of Option. Unless a participant withdraws from the Plan as provided in paragraph 10, his option for the purchase of shares will be exercised automatically on the Exercise Date of the offering period, and the maximum number of full shares subject to option will be purchased for him at the applicable option price with the accumulated payroll deductions in his account. No fractional shares shall be purchased; any payroll deductions accumulated in a participant's account which are not sufficient to purchase a full share either may be retained in the participant's account for the subsequent Offering Period, subject to earlier withdrawal by the participant as provided in Section 10 hereof, or may be returned to the participant. Any other monies left over in a participant's account after the Exercise Date shall be returned to the participant. The shares purchased upon exercise of an option hereunder shall be deemed to be transferred to the participant on the Exercise Date. During his lifetime, a participant's option to purchase shares hereunder is exercisable only by him.

9. Delivery. As promptly as practicable after the Exercise Date of each offering, the Company shall arrange the delivery to each participant, as appropriate, of a certificate representing the shares purchased upon exercise of his option. Any cash remaining to the credit of a participant's account under the Plan after a purchase by him of shares at the termination of each offering period, or which is insufficient to purchase a full share of Common Stock of the Company, shall be returned to said participant.

10. Withdrawal; Termination of Employment.

(a) A participant may withdraw all but not less than all the payroll deductions credited to his account under the Plan at any time prior to the Exercise Date of the offering period by giving written notice to the Company. All of the participant's payroll deductions credited to his account will be paid to him promptly after receipt of his notice of withdrawal and his option for the

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current period will be automatically terminated, and no further payroll deductions for the purchase of shares will be made during the offering period.

(b) Upon termination of the participant's employment prior to the Exercise Date of the offering period for any reason, including retirement or death, the payroll deductions credited to his account will be returned to him or, in the case of his death, to the person or persons entitled thereto under paragraph 14, and his option will be automatically terminated.

(c) In the event an Employee fails to remain in the continuous employ of the Company for at least twenty (20) hours per week during the offering period in which the employee is a participant, he will be deemed to have elected to withdraw from the Plan and the payroll deductions credited to his account will be returned to him and his option terminated.

(d) A participant's withdrawal from an offering will not have any effect upon his eligibility to participate in a succeeding offering or in any similar plan which may hereafter be adopted by the Company.

11. Interest. No interest shall accrue on the payroll deductions of a participant in the Plan.

12. Stock.

(a) The maximum number of shares of the Company's Common Stock which shall be made available for sale under the Plan shall be 250,000 shares, subject to adjustment upon changes in capitalization of the Company as provided in paragraph 18. If the total number of shares which would otherwise be subject to options granted pursuant to Section 7(a) hereof on the Offering Date of an offering period exceeds the number of shares then available under the Plan (after deduction of all shares for which options have been exercised or are then outstanding), the Company shall make a pro rata allocation of the shares remaining available for option grant in as uniform a manner as shall be practicable and as it shall determine to be equitable. In such event, the Company shall give written notice of such reduction of the number of shares subject to the option to each Employee affected thereby and shall similarly reduce the rate of payroll deductions, if necessary.

(b) The participant will have no interest or voting right in shares covered by his option until such option has been exercised.

(c) Shares to be delivered to a participant under the Plan will be registered in the name of the participant or in the name of the participant and his spouse.

13. Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Board of the Company or a committee of members of the Board appointed by the Board. The administration, interpretation or application of the Plan by the Board or its committee shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all participants.

14. Designation of Beneficiary.

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(a) A participant may file a written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any shares and cash, if any, from the participant's account under the Plan in the event of such participant's death subsequent to the end of the offering period but prior to delivery to him of such shares and cash. In addition, a participant may file a written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any cash from the participant's account under the Plan in the event of such participant's death prior to the Exercise Date of the offering period.

(b) Such designation of beneficiary may be changed by the participant at any time by written notice. In the event of the death of a participant and in the absence of a beneficiary validly designated under the Plan who is living at the time of such participant's death, the Company shall deliver such shares and/or cash to the executor or administrator of the estate of the participant, or if no such executor or administrator has been appointed (to the knowledge of the Company), the Company, in its discretion, may deliver such shares and/or cash to the spouse or to any one or more dependents or relatives of the participant, or if no spouse, dependent or relative is known to the Company, then to such other person as the Company may designate.

15. Transferability. Neither payroll deductions credited to a participant's account nor any rights with regard to the exercise of an option or to receive shares under the Plan may be assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of in any way (other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution or as provided in paragraph 14 hereof) by the participant. Any such attempt at assignment, transfer, pledge or other disposition shall be without effect, except that the Company may treat such act as an election to withdraw funds in accordance with paragraph 10.

16. Use of Funds. All payroll deductions received or held by the Company under the Plan may be used by the Company for any corporate purpose, and the Company shall not be obligated to segregate such payroll deductions.

17. Reports. Individual accounts will be maintained for each participant in the Plan. Statements of account will be given to participating Employees semi-annually promptly following the Exercise Date, which statements will set forth the amounts of payroll deductions, the per share purchase price, the number of shares purchased and the remaining cash balance, if any.

18. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization.

(a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by each option under the Plan which has not yet been exercised and the number of shares of Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but have not yet been placed under option (collectively, the "Reserves"), as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each option under the Plan which has not yet been exercised, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected without receipt of consideration". Such adjustment shall be made by

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the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issue by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an option.

(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Offering Period then in progress shall be shortened by setting a new Exercise Date (the "New Exercise Date"), and shall terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed dissolution or liquidation, unless provided otherwise by the Board. The New Exercise Date shall be before the date of the Company's proposed dissolution or liquidation. The Board shall notify each participant in writing, at least ten
(10) business days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise Date for the participant's option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that the participant's option shall be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date, unless prior to such date the participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period as provided in Section 10 hereof.

(c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the merger of the Company with or into another corporation, each outstanding option shall be assumed or an equivalent option substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the option, the Offering Period then in progress shall be shortened by setting a new Exercise Date (the "New Exercise Date"). The New Exercise Date shall be before the date of the Company's proposed sale or merger. The Board shall notify each participant in writing, at least ten (10) business days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise Date for the participant's option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that the participant's option shall be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date, unless prior to such date the participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period as provided in Section 10 hereof.

The Board may, if it so determines in the exercise of its sole discretion, also make provision for adjusting the Reserves, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each outstanding option, in the event that the Company effects one or more reorganizations, recapitalizations, rights offerings or other increases or reductions of shares of its outstanding Common Stock, and in the event of the Company being consolidated with or merged into any other corporation.

19. Amendment or Termination.

(a) The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time and for any reason terminate or amend the Plan. Except as provided in Section 19 hereof, no such termination can affect options previously granted, provided that an Offering Period may be terminated by the Board of Directors on any Exercise Date if the Board determines that the termination of the Plan is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. Except as provided in Section 19 hereof, no amendment may make any change in any option theretofore granted which adversely affects the rights of any participant. To the extent necessary to comply with Section 423 of the Code (or any

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other applicable law, regulation or stock exchange rule), the Company shall obtain shareholder approval in such a manner and to such a degree as required.

(b) Without stockholder consent and without regard to whether any participant rights may be considered to have been "adversely affected," the Board (or its committee) shall be entitled to change the Offering Periods, limit the frequency and/or number of changes in the amount withheld during an Offering Period, establish the exchange ratio applicable to amounts withheld in a currency other than U.S. dollars, permit payroll withholding in excess of the amount designated by a participant in order to adjust for delays or mistakes in the Company's processing of properly completed withholding elections, establish reasonable waiting and adjustment periods and/or accounting and crediting procedures to ensure that amounts applied toward the purchase of Common Stock for each participant properly correspond with amounts withheld from the participant's Compensation, and establish such other limitations or procedures as the Board (or its committee) determines in its sole discretion advisable which are consistent with the Plan.

20. Notices. All notices or other communications by a participant to the Company under or in connection with the Plan shall be deemed to have been duly given when received in the form specified by the Company at the location, or by the person, designated by the Company for the receipt thereof.

21. Shareholder Approval. Continuance of the Plan shall be subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company within twelve months before or after the date the Plan is adopted. If such shareholder approval is obtained at a duly held shareholders' meeting, it may be obtained by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company present or represented and entitled to vote thereon, which approval shall be:

(a) (1) solicited substantially in accordance with Section 14(a) of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act") and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or (2) solicited after the Company has furnished in writing to the holders entitled to vote substantially the same information concerning the Plan as that which would be required by the rules and regulations in effect under Section 14(a) of the Act at the time such information is furnished; and

(b) obtained at or prior to the first annual meeting of shareholders held subsequent to the first registration of Common Stock under
Section 12 of the Act.

In the case of approval by written consent, it must be obtained by the unanimous written consent of all shareholders of the Company, or by written consent of a smaller percentage of shareholders but only if the Board determines, on the basis of an opinion rendered by the Company's legal counsel, that the written consent of such a smaller percentage of shareholders will comply with all applicable laws and will not adversely affect the qualifications of the Plan under Section 423 of the Code.

22. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Shares shall not be issued with respect to an option unless the exercise of such option and the issuance and delivery of such shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all applicable provisions of law, domestic or foreign, including, without

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limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the shares may then be listed, and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

As a condition to the exercise of an option, the Company may require the person exercising such option to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any of the aforementioned applicable provisions of law.

23. Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to occur of its adoption by the Board of Directors or its approval by the shareholders of the Company as described in paragraph 21. It shall continue in effect for a term of twenty (20) years unless sooner terminated under paragraph 19.

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Exhibit 4.2

NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

2000 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN

1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this 2000 Stock Plan are:

o to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility,

o to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and Consultants, and

o to promote the success of the Company's business.

Options granted under the Plan may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options, as determined by the Administrator at the time of grant. Stock Purchase Rights may also be granted under the Plan.

2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) "Administrator" means the Board or any of its Committees as shall be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

(b) "Applicable Laws" means the requirements relating to the administration of stock option plans under U. S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Options or Stock Purchase Rights are, or will be, granted under the Plan.

(c) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(d) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(e) "Committee" means a committee of Directors appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

(f) "Common Stock" means the common stock of the Company.

(g) "Company" means Nanometrics Incorporated, a California corporation.

(h) "Consultant" means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity.

(i) "Director" means a member of the Board.


(j) "Disability" means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

(k) "Employee" means any person, including Officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. A Service Provider shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed ninety days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not so guaranteed, on the 181st day of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Optionee shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director's fee by the Company shall be sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company.

(l) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(m) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:

(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for the last market trading day prior to the time of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

(ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the last market trading day prior to the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or

(iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Administrator.

(n) "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

(o) "Nonstatutory Stock Option" means an Option not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

(p) "Notice of Grant" means a written or electronic notice evidencing certain terms and conditions of an individual Option or Stock Purchase Right grant. The Notice of Grant is part of the Option Agreement.

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(q) "Officer" means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(r) "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

(s) "Option Agreement" means an agreement between the Company and an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant. The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(t) "Option Exchange Program" means a program whereby outstanding Options are surrendered in exchange for Options with a lower exercise price.

(u) "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an Option or Stock Purchase Right.

(v) "Optionee" means the holder of an outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right granted under the Plan.

(w) "Parent" means a "parent corporation," whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

(x) "Plan" means this 2000 Stock Plan.

(y) "Restricted Stock" means shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to a grant of Stock Purchase Rights under Section 11 of the Plan.

(z) "Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement" means a written agreement between the Company and the Optionee evidencing the terms and restrictions applying to stock purchased under a Stock Purchase Right. The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Notice of Grant.

(aa) "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with respect to the Plan.

(bb) "Section 16(b) " means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.

(cc) "Service Provider" means an Employee, Director or Consultant.

(dd) "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 13 of the Plan.

(ee) "Stock Purchase Right" means the right to purchase Common Stock pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan, as evidenced by a Notice of Grant.

(ff) "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary corporation", whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

3. Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of
Section 13 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be optioned and sold under the Plan is one million

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two hundred fifty thousand (1,250,000) Shares. The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

If an Option or Stock Purchase Right expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, or is surrendered pursuant to an Option Exchange Program, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated); provided, however, that Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan, whether upon exercise of an Option or Right, shall not be returned to the Plan and shall not become available for future distribution under the Plan, except that if Shares of Restricted Stock are repurchased by the Company at their original purchase price, such Shares shall become available for future grant under the Plan.

4. Administration of the Plan.

(a) Procedure.

(i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. Different Committees with respect to different groups of Service Providers may administer the Plan.

(ii) Section 162(m). To the extent that the Administrator determines it to be desirable to qualify Options granted hereunder as "performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Plan shall be administered by a Committee of two or more "outside directors" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

(iii) Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated hereunder shall be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3.

(iv) Other Administration. Other than as provided above, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which committee shall be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.

(b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the authority, in its discretion:

(i) to determine the Fair Market Value;

(ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Options and Stock Purchase Rights may be granted hereunder;

(iii) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each Option and Stock Purchase Right granted hereunder;

(iv) to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;

(v) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Option or Stock Purchase Right granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions

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include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Options or Stock Purchase Rights may be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Option or Stock Purchase Right or the shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine;

(vi) to reduce the exercise price of any Option or Stock Purchase Right to the then current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock covered by such Option or Stock Purchase Right shall have declined since the date the Option or Stock Purchase Right was granted;

(vii) to institute an Option Exchange Program;

(viii) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and awards granted pursuant to the Plan;

(ix) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment under foreign tax laws;

(x) to modify or amend each Option or Stock Purchase Right (subject to Section 16(c) of the Plan), including the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of Options longer than is otherwise provided for in the Plan;

(xi) to allow Optionees to satisfy withholding tax obligations by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. All elections by an Optionee to have Shares withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and under such conditions as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable;

(xii) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Option or Stock Purchase Right previously granted by the Administrator;

(xiii) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.

(c) Effect of Administrator's Decision. The Administrator's decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all Optionees and any other holders of Options or Stock Purchase Rights.

5. Eligibility. Nonstatutory Stock Options and Stock Purchase Rights may be granted to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees.

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6. Limitations.

(a) Each Option shall be designated in the Option Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However, notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this
Section 6(a), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.

(b) Neither the Plan nor any Option or Stock Purchase Right shall confer upon an Optionee any right with respect to continuing the Optionee's relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor shall they interfere in any way with the Optionee's right or the Company's right to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause.

(c) The following limitations shall apply to grants of Options:

(i) No Service Provider shall be granted, in any fiscal year of the Company, Options to purchase more than 1,000,000 Shares.

(ii) In connection with his or her initial service, a Service Provider may be granted Options to purchase up to an additional 1,000,000 Shares, which shall not count against the limit set forth in subsection (i) above.

(iii) The foregoing limitations shall be adjusted proportionately in connection with any change in the Company's capitalization as described in Section 13.

(iv) If an Option is cancelled in the same fiscal year of the Company in which it was granted (other than in connection with a transaction described in Section 13), the cancelled Option will be counted against the limits set forth in subsections (i) and (ii) above. For this purpose, if the exercise price of an Option is reduced, the transaction will be treated as a cancellation of the Option and the grant of a new Option.

7. Term of Plan. Subject to Section 20 of the Plan, the Plan shall become effective upon its adoption by the Board. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless terminated earlier under Section 16 of the Plan.

8. Term of Option. The term of each Option shall be stated in the Option Agreement. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the term shall be ten (10) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Option Agreement. Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Incentive Stock Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Option Agreement.

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9. Option Exercise Price and Consideration.

(a) Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by the Administrator, subject to the following:

(i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option

(A) granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

(B) granted to any Employee other than an Employee described in paragraph (A) immediately above, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

(ii) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, the per Share exercise price shall be determined by the Administrator. In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option intended to qualify as "performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with a per Share exercise price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to a merger or other corporate transaction.

(b) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and shall determine any conditions that must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised.

(c) Form of Consideration. The Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Such consideration may consist entirely of:

(i) cash;

(ii) check;

(iii) promissory note;

(iv) other Shares which (A) in the case of Shares acquired upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised;

(v) consideration received by the Company under a cashless exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan;

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(vi) a reduction in the amount of any Company liability to the Optionee, including any liability attributable to the Optionee's participation in any Company-sponsored deferred compensation program or arrangement;

(vii) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or

(viii) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

10. Exercise of Option.

(a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder. Any Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Option Agreement. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Options granted hereunder shall be tolled during any unpaid leave of absence. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Option Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee or, if requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 13 of the Plan.

Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.

(b) Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If an Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Optionee's death or Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Optionee's termination. If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

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(c) Disability of Optionee. If an Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Optionee's Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Optionee's termination. If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

(d) Death of Optionee. If an Optionee dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant), by the Optionee's estate or by a person who acquires the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death. In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Optionee's termination. If, at the time of death, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall immediately revert to the Plan. The Option may be exercised by the executor or administrator of the Optionee's estate or, if none, by the person(s) entitled to exercise the Option under the Optionee's will or the laws of descent or distribution. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

(e) Buyout Provisions. The Administrator may at any time offer to buy out for a payment in cash or Shares an Option previously granted based on such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and communicate to the Optionee at the time that such offer is made.

11. Stock Purchase Rights.

(a) Rights to Purchase. Stock Purchase Rights may be issued either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other awards granted under the Plan and/or cash awards made outside of the Plan. After the Administrator determines that it will offer Stock Purchase Rights under the Plan, it shall advise the offeree in writing or electronically, by means of a Notice of Grant, of the terms, conditions and restrictions related to the offer, including the number of Shares that the offeree shall be entitled to purchase, the price to be paid, and the time within which the offeree must accept such offer. The offer shall be accepted by execution of a Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement in the form determined by the Administrator.

(b) Repurchase Option. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall grant the Company a repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of the purchaser's service with the Company for any reason (including death or Disability). The purchase price for Shares repurchased pursuant to the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall be the original price paid by the purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of any indebtedness of the purchaser to the Company. The repurchase option shall lapse at a rate determined by the Administrator.

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(c) Other Provisions. The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

(d) Rights as a Shareholder. Once the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, the purchaser shall have the rights equivalent to those of a shareholder, and shall be a shareholder when his or her purchase is entered upon the records of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, except as provided in Section 13 of the Plan.

12. Non-Transferability of Options and Stock Purchase Rights. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Option or Stock Purchase Right may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee. If the Administrator makes an Option or Stock Purchase Right transferable, such Option or Stock Purchase Right shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate.

13. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Merger or Asset Sale.

(a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by each outstanding Option and Stock Purchase Right, and the number of shares of Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Options or Stock Purchase Rights have yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option or Stock Purchase Right, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each such outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or Stock Purchase Right.

(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each Optionee as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. The Administrator in its discretion may provide for an Optionee to have the right to exercise his or her Option until ten (10) days prior to such transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable. In addition, the Administrator may provide that any Company repurchase option applicable to any Shares purchased upon exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall lapse as to all such Shares, provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not been previously

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exercised, an Option or Stock Purchase Right will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

(c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation which does not constitute a "Change of Control" (as defined in Section 14), or the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, each outstanding Option and Stock Purchase Right shall be assumed or an equivalent option or right substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Option or Stock Purchase Right, the Optionee shall fully vest in and have the right to exercise the Option or Stock Purchase Right as to all of the Optioned Stock, including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested or exercisable. If an Option or Stock Purchase Right becomes fully vested and exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets, the Administrator shall notify the Optionee in writing or electronically that the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be fully vested and exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall terminate upon the expiration of such period. For the purposes of this paragraph, the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be considered assumed if, following the merger or sale of assets, the option or right confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock Purchase Right immediately prior to the merger or sale of assets, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the merger or sale of assets is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Option or Stock Purchase Right, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock Purchase Right, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the merger or sale of assets.

14. Vesting Acceleration on Change of Control.

(a) Vesting Acceleration. In the event of a "Change of Control," (i) all of the Optionee's rights to purchase stock under all Option Agreements with the Company pursuant to the Plan shall be automatically vested in their entirety on an accelerated basis and be fully exercisable, and (ii) all of the Company's rights to repurchase unvested stock under all Restricted Stock Purchase Agreements pursuant to the Plan with the Optionee shall lapse in their entirety on an accelerated basis:

(i) as of the date immediately preceding such "Change of Control" in the event any such Option Agreement or Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement is or will be terminated or canceled (except by mutual consent) or any successor to the Company fails to assume and agree to perform all such Option Agreements and Restricted Stock Purchase Agreements; or

(ii) as of the date immediately preceding such "Change of Control" in the event the Optionee does not or will not receive upon exercise of the Optionee's stock purchase rights under any such Option Agreement or in exchange for the Optionee's Restricted Stock

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acquired pursuant to any such Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement the same identical securities and/or other consideration as is received by all other shareholders in any merger, consolidation, sale, exchange or similar transaction occurring upon or after such "Change of Control"; or

(iii) as of the date immediately preceding any "Involuntary Termination" of the Optionee occurring upon or after any such "Change of Control"; or

(iv) in the case of an Optionee who at the time of a "Change of Control" has been designated as an executive officer by the Board of Directors, as of the date twelve (12) months following the first such "Change of Control," provided that the Optionee shall not have voluntarily terminated Optionee's employment with the Company prior to the end of such twelve-month period;

whichever shall first occur (all quoted terms as defined below).

(b) Change of Control. "Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(i) Any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), or group of "persons" acting in concert, is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the total voting power represented by the Company's then outstanding voting securities; or

(ii) A change in the composition of the Board of Directors of the Company as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are "Incumbent Directors." "Incumbent Directors" shall mean directors who either (A) are directors of the Company as of the date hereof, or (B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board of Directors with the affirmative votes (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for election as a director without objection to such nomination) of at least three-quarters of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but shall not include an individual whose election or nomination is in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors of the Company); or

(iii) The shareholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or such surviving entity's parent) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or such surviving entity's parent outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all the Company's assets.

(c) Involuntary Termination. "Involuntary Termination" shall mean (i) a termination by the Company of the Optionee's employment with the Company other than for Cause;

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(ii) without Optionee's written consent, a material reduction by the Company in the base salary of the Optionee as in effect immediately prior to such reduction;

(iii) without Optionee's written consent, a material reduction by the Company in the kind or level of employee benefits, including bonuses, to which the Optionee was entitled immediately prior to such reduction, with the result that the Optionee's overall benefits package is materially reduced;

(iv) without Optionee's written consent, the relocation of the Optionee to a facility or a location more than fifty (50) miles from the Optionee's then present location; or

(v) in the case of an Optionee who at the time of a "Change of Control" has been designated as an executive officer by the Board of Directors, a material diminution of the Optionee's duties, authority or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior to the "Change of Control" (provided that the fact that the Company as a result of the "Change of Control" is no longer independent shall not be construed as a "material diminution").

(d) Cause. "Cause" shall mean (i) any willful act of personal dishonesty, fraud or misrepresentation taken by the Optionee in connection with his or her responsibilities as an employee which was intended to result in substantial gain or personal enrichment of the Optionee at the expense of the Company; (ii) the Optionee's arrest for a felony, fraud or an act of moral turpitude; or (iii) the Optionee's willful and continued failure to substantially perform his or her principal duties and obligations of employment and follow written policies applicable to all employees (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), which failure is not remedied in a reasonable period of time after receipt of written notice from the Company.

(e) Voluntary Resignation; Termination For Cause. If the Optionee's status as a Service Provider of the Company terminates by reason of the Optionee's voluntary resignation (and not Involuntary Termination) or if the Optionee's status as a Service Provider of the Company is terminated for Cause, in either case prior to such time as accelerated vesting occurs as provided in
Section 14(a) hereof, then the Optionee shall not be entitled to receive accelerated vesting under Section 14(a) hereof.

15. Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Option or Stock Purchase Right, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination shall be provided to each Optionee within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.

16. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

(a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

(b) Shareholder Approval. The Company shall obtain shareholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws.

(c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Optionee, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the Company. Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator's ability to

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exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Options granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.

17. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

(a) Legal Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right unless the exercise of such Option or Stock Purchase Right and the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

(b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right, the Company may require the person exercising such Option or Stock Purchase Right to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.

18. Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

19. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

20. Shareholder Approval. The Plan shall be subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted. Such shareholder approval shall be obtained in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws.

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NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

2000 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN

EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.

I. NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT

[Optionee's Name and Address]

You have been granted an option to purchase Common Stock of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement, as follows:

Grant Number                           ________________________________

Date of Grant                          ________________________________

Vesting Commencement Date              ________________________________

Exercise Price per Share               $_______________________________

Total Number of Shares Granted         ________________________________

Total Exercise Price                   $_______________________________

Type of Option:                        ___ Incentive Stock Option

                                       ___ Nonstatutory Stock Option

Term/Expiration Date:                  ________________________________

Vesting Schedule:

Subject to accelerated vesting as set forth below, this Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with the following schedule:

One-third (1/3) of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest twelve months after the Vesting Commencement Date, and one-third (1/3) of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest on each one year anniversary thereafter, subject to the Optionee continuing to be a Service Provider on such dates.


Termination Period:

This Option may be exercised for three months after Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider. Upon the death or Disability of the Optionee, this Option may be exercised for twelve months after Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider. In no event shall this Option be exercised later than the Term/Expiration Date as provided above.

II. AGREEMENT

A. Grant of Option.

The Plan Administrator of the Company hereby grants to the Optionee named in the Notice of Grant attached as Part I of this Agreement (the "Optionee") an option (the "Option") to purchase the number of Shares, as set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the "Exercise Price"), subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. Subject to Section 16(c) of the Plan, in the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Plan and the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail.

If designated in the Notice of Grant as an Incentive Stock Option ("ISO"), this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code. However, if this Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option, to the extent that it exceeds the $100,000 rule of Code
Section 422(d) it shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option ("NSO").

B. Exercise of Option.

(a) Right to Exercise. This Option is exercisable during its term in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and the applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.

(b) Method of Exercise. This Option is exercisable by delivery of an exercise notice, in the form attached as Exhibit A (the "Exercise Notice"), which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised (the "Exercised Shares"), and such other representations and agreements as may be required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. The Exercise Notice shall be completed by the Optionee and delivered to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. The Exercise Notice shall be accompanied by payment of the aggregate Exercise Price as to all Exercised Shares. This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such fully executed Exercise Notice accompanied by such aggregate Exercise Price.

No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of this Option unless such issuance and exercise complies with Applicable Laws. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes the Exercised Shares shall be considered transferred to the Optionee on the date the Option is exercised with respect to such Exercised Shares.

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C. Method of Payment.

Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:

1. cash;

2. check;

3. promissory note;

4. other Shares which (A) in the case of Shares acquired upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised;

5. consideration received by the Company under a cashless exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan;

6. a reduction in the amount of any Company liability to the Optionee, including any liability attributable to the Optionee's participation in any Company-sponsored deferred compensation program or arrangement;

7. any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or

8. such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

D. Non-Transferability of Option.

This Option may not be transferred in any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by the Optionee. The terms of the Plan and this Option Agreement shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.

E. Term of Option.

This Option may be exercised only within the term set out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option Agreement.

F. Tax Consequences.

Some of the federal tax consequences relating to this Option, as of the date of this Option, are set forth below. THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THE OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.

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G. Exercising the Option.

1. Nonstatutory Stock Option. The Optionee may incur regular federal income tax liability upon exercise of a NSO. The Optionee will be treated as having received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax rates) equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Exercised Shares on the date of exercise over their aggregate Exercise Price. If the Optionee is an Employee or a former Employee, the Company will be required to withhold from his or her compensation or collect from Optionee and pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount in cash equal to a percentage of this compensation income at the time of exercise, and may refuse to honor the exercise and refuse to deliver Shares if such withholding amounts are not delivered at the time of exercise.

2. Incentive Stock Option. If this Option qualifies as an ISO, the Optionee will have no regular federal income tax liability upon its exercise, although the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Exercised Shares on the date of exercise over their aggregate Exercise Price will be treated as an adjustment to alternative minimum taxable income for federal tax purposes and may subject the Optionee to alternative minimum tax in the year of exercise. In the event that the Optionee ceases to be an Employee but remains a Service Provider, any Incentive Stock Option of the Optionee that remains unexercised shall cease to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option and will be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option on the date three (3) months and one (1) day following such change of status.

3. Disposition of Shares.

(a) NSO. If the Optionee holds NSO Shares for at least one year, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain for federal income tax purposes.

(b) ISO. If the Optionee holds ISO Shares for at least one year after exercise and two years after the grant date, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain for federal income tax purposes. If the Optionee disposes of ISO Shares within one year after exercise or two years after the grant date, any gain realized on such disposition will be treated as compensation income (taxable at ordinary income rates) to the extent of the excess, if any, of the lesser of (A) the difference between the Fair Market Value of the Shares acquired on the date of exercise and the aggregate Exercise Price, or (B) the difference between the sale price of such Shares and the aggregate Exercise Price. Any additional gain will be taxed as capital gain, short-term or long-term depending on the period that the ISO Shares were held.

(c) Notice of Disqualifying Disposition of ISO Shares. If the Optionee sells or otherwise disposes of any of the Shares acquired pursuant to an ISO on or before the later of (i) two years after the grant date, or (ii) one year after the exercise date, the Optionee shall immediately notify the Company in writing of such disposition. The Optionee agrees that he or she may be subject to income tax withholding by the Company on the compensation income recognized from such early disposition of ISO Shares by payment in cash or out of the current earnings paid to the Optionee.

H. Entire Agreement; Governing Law.

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The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. The Plan and this Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Optionee's interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and Optionee. This agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of California.

I. NO GUARANTEE OF CONTINUED SERVICE.

OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (AND NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED AN OPTION OR PURCHASING SHARES HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AS A SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND SHALL NOT INTERFERE WITH OPTIONEE'S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO TERMINATE OPTIONEE'S RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.

By your signature and the signature of the Company's representative below, you and the Company agree that this Option is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. Optionee has reviewed the Plan and this Option Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option Agreement and fully understands all provisions of the Plan and Option Agreement. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions relating to the Plan and Option Agreement. Optionee further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.

OPTIONEE:                           NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED



-----------------------------       -----------------------------------
Signature                            By

-----------------------------       -----------------------------------
Print Name                          Title

-----------------------------
Residence Address

-----------------------------

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CONSENT OF SPOUSE

The undersigned spouse of Optionee has read and hereby approves the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. In consideration of the Company's granting his or her spouse the right to purchase Shares as set forth in the Plan and this Option Agreement, the undersigned hereby agrees to be irrevocably bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement and further agrees that any community property interest shall be similarly bound. The undersigned hereby appoints the undersigned's spouse as attorney-in-fact for the undersigned with respect to any amendment or exercise of rights under the Plan or this Option Agreement.


Spouse of Optionee

EXHIBIT A

NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

2000 STOCK PLAN

EXERCISE NOTICE

Nanometrics Incorporated
[Address]

Attention: [Title]

1. Exercise of Option. Effective as of today, ________________, _____, the undersigned ("Purchaser") hereby elects to purchase ______________ shares
(the "Shares") of the Common Stock of Nanometrics Incorporated (the "Company") under and pursuant to the 2000 Stock Plan (the "Plan") and the Stock Option Agreement dated, _____ (the "Option Agreement"). The purchase price for the Shares shall be $_____, as required by the Option Agreement.

2. Delivery of Payment. Purchaser herewith delivers to the Company the full purchase price for the Shares.

3. Representations of Purchaser. Purchaser acknowledges that Purchaser has received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement and agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.

4. Rights as Shareholder. Until the issuance (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company) of the Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Shares so acquired shall be issued to the Optionee as soon as practicable after exercise of the Option. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance, except as provided in Section 13 of the Plan.

5. Tax Consultation. Purchaser understands that Purchaser may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Purchaser's purchase or disposition of the Shares. Purchaser represents that Purchaser has consulted with any tax consultants Purchaser deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Purchaser is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.


6. Entire Agreement; Governing Law. The Plan and Option Agreement are incorporated herein by reference. This Agreement, the Plan and the Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Purchaser with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Purchaser's interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and Purchaser. This Agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of California.

Submitted by:                             Accepted by:

PURCHASER:                                NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED


---------------------------------         ---------------------------------
Signature                                 By

---------------------------------         ---------------------------------
Print Name               Its

Address:                                  Address:

---------------------------------         ---------------------------------

---------------------------------         ---------------------------------


                                          ---------------------------------
                                          Date Received

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Exhibit 4.3

NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

2000 DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN

1. Purpose of the Plan. The purposes of this 2000 Director Option Plan are to attract and retain the best available personnel to serve as Outside Directors of the Company, to provide additional incentives to the Outside Directors of the Company to serve as Directors, and to encourage their continued service on the Board.

All options granted hereunder shall be "non-statutory stock options".

2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(b) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(c) "Common Stock" means the Common Stock of the Company.

(d) "Company" means Nanometrics Incorporated, a California corporation.

(e) "Continuous Status as a Director" means the absence of any interruption or termination of service as a Director.

(f) "Director" means a member of the Board.

(g) "Employee" means any person, including officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. The payment of a Director's fee by the Company shall not be sufficient in and of itself to constitute "employment" by the Company.

(h) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(i) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:

(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the National Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation ("NASDAQ") System, the Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such system or exchange (or the exchange with the greatest volume of trading in Common Stock) on the last market trading day prior to the day of determination, as reported in the Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Board deems reliable;


(ii) If the Common Stock is quoted on the NASDAQ System (but not on the National Market System thereof) or regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the last market trading day prior to the day of determination, as reported in the Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Board deems reliable, or;

(iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by the Board.

(j) "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

(k) "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an Option.

(l) "Optionee" means an Outside Director who receives an Option.

(m) "Outside Director" means a Director who is not an Employee, or who is not the beneficial owner of more than 50% of the Company's outstanding stock.

(n) "Parent" means a "parent corporation", whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

(o) "Plan" means this 2000 Director Option Plan.

(p) "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 10 of the Plan.

(q) "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary corporation", whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

3. Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of
Section 10 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned and sold under the Plan is two hundred fifty thousand (250,000) Shares (the "Pool") of Common Stock. The Shares may be authorized but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

If an Option should expire or become unexercisable for any reason without having been exercised in full, the unpurchased Shares that were subject thereto shall, unless the Plan shall have been terminated, become available for future grant under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated). Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan shall not be returned to the Plan and shall not become available for future distribution under the Plan.

4. Administration of and Grants of Options under the Plan.

(a) Procedure for Grants. Except as otherwise required herein, the Plan shall be administered by the Board. All grants of options to Outside Directors under this Plan shall be automatic and non-discretionary and shall be made strictly in accordance with the following provisions:

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(i) No person shall have any discretion to select which Outside Directors shall be granted Options or to determine the number of shares to be covered by Options granted to Outside Directors; provided, however, that nothing in this Plan shall be construed to prevent an Outside Director from declining to receive an Option under this Plan.

(ii) Each Outside Director shall be automatically granted an Option to purchase ten thousand (10,000) Shares on the date on which such person first becomes a Director, whether through election by the shareholders of the Company or appointment by the Board to fill a vacancy;

(iii) On January 1 of each year during the term of this Plan, each Outside Director shall automatically receive an Option to purchase ten thousand (10,000) Shares, provided that he or she has been an Outside Director for at least six (6) months on such date;

(iv) The terms of an Option granted pursuant to this
Section shall be as follows:

(A) the term of the Option shall be five (5)

years;

(B) except as provided in Section 10 of this Plan, the Option shall be exercisable only while the Outside Director remains a director;

(C) the exercise price per share of Common Stock shall be 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant of the Option;

(D) the Option shall become exercisable in installments cumulatively with respect to thirty-three and one-third (33-1/3%) of the Optioned Stock one year after the date of grant and as to an additional thirty-three and one-third (33-1/3%) of the Optioned Stock each year thereafter, so that one hundred percent (100%) of the Optioned Stock shall be exercisable three years after the date of grant; provided, however, that in no event shall any Option be exercisable prior to obtaining shareholder approval of the Plan.

(v) In the event that any Option granted under the Plan would cause the number of Shares subject to outstanding Options plus the number of Shares previously purchased upon exercise of Options to exceed the Pool, then each such automatic grant shall be for that number of Shares determined by dividing the total number of Shares remaining available for grant by the number of Outside Directors on the automatic grant date. No further grants shall be made until such time, if any, as additional Shares become available for grant under the Plan through action of the shareholders to increase the number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan or through cancellation or expiration of Options previously granted hereunder.

(b) Powers of the Board. Subject to the provisions and restrictions of the Plan, the Board shall have the authority, in its discretion:
(i) to determine, upon review of relevant information and in accordance with
Section 2(i) of the Plan, the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock; (ii) to interpret the Plan; (iii) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan; (iv) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required

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to effectuate the grant of an Option previously granted hereunder; and (v) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.

(c) Effect of Board's Decision. All decisions, determinations and interpretations of the Board shall be final.

5. Eligibility. Options may be granted only to Outside Directors. All Options shall be automatically granted in accordance with the terms set forth in Section 4(b) hereof. An Outside Director who has been granted an Option may, if he is otherwise eligible, be granted an additional Option or Options in accordance with such provisions.

The Plan shall not confer upon any Optionee any right with respect to continuation of service as a Director or nomination to serve as a Director, nor shall it interfere in any way with any rights which the Director or the Company may have to terminate his directorship at any time.

6. Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to occur of its adoption by the Board or its approval by the shareholders of the Company as described in Section 16 of the Plan. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless sooner terminated under Section 11 of the Plan.

7. Exercise Price and Consideration.

(a) Exercise Price. The per Share exercise price for Optioned Stock shall be 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant of the Option.

(b) Form of Consideration. The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Option, including the method of payment, shall be determined by the Board and may consist entirely of (i) cash,
(ii) check, (iii) promissory note, (iv) other shares which have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised and which, in the case of Shares acquired upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than twelve (12) months on the date of surrender, (v) delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds required to pay the exercise price, (vi) delivery of an irrevocable subscription agreement for the Shares which irrevocably obligates the Optionee to take and pay for the Shares not more than twelve (12) months after the date of delivery of the subscription agreement, (vii) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment, or (viii) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted under applicable law.

8. Exercise of Option.

(a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder. Any Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such times as are set forth in
Section 4 hereof; provided, however, that no Options shall be exercisable until shareholder approval of the Plan in accordance with Section 16 hereof has been obtained.

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An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

An Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice of such exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Option by the person entitled to exercise the Option and full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised has been received by the Company. Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment allowable under Section 7(b) of the Plan. Until the issuance (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company) of the stock certificate evidencing such Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. A share certificate for the number of Shares so acquired shall be issued to the Optionee as soon as practicable after exercise of the Option. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 10 of the Plan.

Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in the number of Shares that thereafter may be available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.

(b) Termination of Continuous Status as a Director. In the event an Optionee's Continuous Status as a Director terminates (other than upon the Optionee's death or total and permanent disability (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code)), the Optionee may exercise his or her Option, but only within three (3) months from the date of such termination, and only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination (but in no event later than the expiration of its five (5) year term). To the extent that the Optionee was not entitled to exercise an Option at the date of such termination, and to the extent that the Optionee does not exercise such Option (to the extent otherwise so entitled) within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

(c) Disability of Optionee. In the event Optionee's Continuous Status as a Director terminates as a result of total and permanent disability (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), the Optionee may exercise his or her Option, but only within twelve (12) months from the date of such termination, and only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination (but in no event later than the expiration of its five (5) year term). To the extent that the Optionee was not entitled to exercise an Option at the date of termination, or if he or she does not exercise such Option (to the extent otherwise so entitled) within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

(d) Death of Optionee. In the event of an Optionee's death, the Optionee's estate or a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance may exercise the Option, but only within twelve (12) months following the date of death, and only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise it at the date of death (but in no event later than the expiration of its five (5) year term). To the extent that the Optionee was not entitled to exercise an Option at the date of death, and to the extent that the Optionee's estate or a person who acquired the right to

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exercise such Option does not exercise such Option (to the extent otherwise so entitled) within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

9. Non-Transferability of Options. The Option may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee.

10. Adjustments.

(a) Changes in Capitalization. In the event that the stock of the Company is changed by reason of any stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, or other change in the capital structure of the Company, or converted into or exchanged for other securities as a result of any merger, consolidation or reorganization, or in the event that the outstanding number of shares of stock of the Company is increased through payment of a stock dividend, appropriate proportionate adjustments shall be made in the number and class of shares of stock subject to the Plan, the number and class of shares subject to the Plan, the number and class of share subject to any Option outstanding under the Plan, and the exercise price of any such outstanding Option; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to issue fractional shares as a result of any such adjustment. Any such adjustment shall be made upon approval by the Board, whose determination shall be conclusive. If there is any other change in the number or type of the outstanding shares of stock of the Company, or of any other security into which such stock shall have been changed or for which it shall have been exchanged, and if the Board in its sole discretion determines that such change equitably requires an adjustment in the Options then outstanding under the Plan, such adjustment shall be made in accordance with the determination of the Board. No adjustments shall be required by reason of the issuance or sale by the Company for cash or other consideration of additional shares of its stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of its stock.

(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, to the extent that an Option has not been previously exercised, it shall terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

(c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation which does not constitute a "Change of Control" (as defined in Section (e)) or the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, outstanding Options may be assumed or equivalent options may be substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary thereof (the "Successor Corporation"). If an Option is assumed or substituted for, the Option or equivalent option shall continue to be exercisable as provided in Section 4 hereof for so long as the Optionee serves as a Director or a director of the Successor Corporation. If the Successor Corporation does not assume an outstanding Option or substitute for it an equivalent option, the Option shall become fully vested and exercisable, including as to Shares for which it would not otherwise be exercisable. In such event the Board shall notify the Optionee that the Option shall be fully exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and upon the expiration of such period the Option shall terminate.

For the purposes of this Section 10(c), an Option shall be considered assumed if, following the merger or sale of assets, the Option confers the right to purchase or receive, for each

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Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option immediately prior to the merger or sale of assets, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares). If such consideration received in the merger or sale of assets is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Option, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the merger or sale of assets.

(d) Vesting Acceleration on Change of Control. In the event of a "Change of Control," all of the Optionee's rights to purchase stock under all option agreements with the Company pursuant to the Plan shall be automatically vested in their entirety on an accelerated basis and be fully exercisable:

(i) as of the date immediately preceding such "Change of Control" in the event any such option agreement is or will be terminated or canceled (except by mutual consent) or any successor to the Company fails to assume and agree to perform all such option agreements; or

(ii) as of the date immediately preceding such "Change of Control" in the event the Optionee does not or will not receive upon exercise of the Optionee's stock purchase rights under any such option agreement the same identical securities and/or other consideration as is received by all other shareholders in any merger, consolidation, sale, exchange or similar transaction occurring upon or after such "Change of Control"; or

(iii) as of the date Optionee's status as a Director or director of the Successor Corporation, as applicable, is terminated other than upon a voluntary resignation by the Optionee occurring upon or after any such "Change of Control";

whichever shall first occur (all quoted terms as defined below).

(e) Change of Control. "Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(i) Any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), or group of "persons" acting in concert, is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the total voting power represented by the Company's then outstanding voting securities; or

(ii) A change in the composition of the Board of Directors of the Company as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are "Incumbent Directors." "Incumbent Directors" shall mean directors who either (A) are directors of the Company as of the date hereof, or (B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board of Directors with the affirmative votes (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is

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named as a nominee for election as a director without objection to such nomination) of at least three-quarters of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but shall not include an individual whose election or nomination is in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors of the Company); or

(iii) The shareholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or such surviving entity's parent) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or such surviving entity's parent outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all the Company's assets.

11. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

(a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend, or discontinue the Plan, but no amendment, alteration, suspension, or discontinuation shall be made which would impair the rights of any Optionee under any grant theretofore made, without his or her consent. In addition, to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act (or any other applicable law or regulation), the Company shall obtain shareholder approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree as required.

(b) Effect of Amendment or Termination. Any such amendment or termination of the Plan shall not affect Options already granted and such Options shall remain in full force and effect as if this Plan had not been amended or terminated.

12. Time of Granting Options. The date of grant of an Option shall, for all purposes, be the date determined in accordance with Section 4(b) hereof. Notice of the determination shall be given to each Outside Director to whom an Option is so granted within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.

13. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless the exercise of such Option and the issuance and delivery of such Shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, state securities laws, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed, and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

As a condition to the exercise of an Option, the Company may require the person exercising such Option to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such

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Shares, if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any of the aforementioned relevant provisions of law.

Inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

14. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

15. Option Agreement. Options shall be evidenced by written option agreements in such form as the Board shall approve.

16. Shareholder Approval. Continuance of the Plan shall be subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company at or prior to the first annual meeting of shareholders held subsequent to the granting of an Option hereunder. Such shareholder approval shall be obtained in the degree and manner required under applicable state and federal law.

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NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED

2000 DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN

DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

Nanometrics Incorporated, (the "Company"), has granted to ___________________ (the "Optionee"), an option to purchase a total of ten thousand (10,000) shares of the Company's Common Stock (the "Optioned Stock"), at the price determined as provided herein, and in all respects subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the Company's 2000 Director Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") adopted by the Company which is incorporated herein by reference. The terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings herein.

1. Nature of the Option. This Option is a nonstatutory option and is not intended to qualify for any special tax benefits to the Optionee.

2. Exercise Price. The exercise price is $_______ for each share of Common Stock.

3. Exercise of Option. This Option shall be exercisable during its term in accordance with the provisions of Section 8 of the Plan as follows:

(i) Right to Exercise.

(a) This Option shall become exercisable in installments cumulatively with respect to thirty-three percent (33%) of the Optioned Stock one year after the date of grant, and as to an additional thirty-three percent (33%) of the Optioned Stock on each anniversary of the date of grant, so that one hundred percent (100%) of the Optioned Stock shall be exercisable three (3) years after the date of grant; provided, however, that in no event shall any Option be exercisable prior to the date the shareholders of the Company approve the Plan.

(b) This Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a share.

(c) In the event of Optionee's death, disability or other termination of service as a Director, the exercisability of the Option is governed by Section 8 of the Plan.

(ii) Method of Exercise. This Option shall be exercisable by written notice which shall state the election to exercise the Option and the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised. Such written notice, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, shall be signed by the Optionee and shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to the Secretary of the Company. The written notice shall be accompanied by payment of the exercise price.

4. Method of Payment. Payment of the exercise price shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:

(i) cash;

(ii) check; or


(iii) promissory note: or

(iv) surrender of other shares which (x) in the case of Shares acquired upon exercise of an Option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than twelve (12) months on the date of surrender, and (y) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised; or

(v) delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together with such other documentation as the Company and the broker, if applicable, shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and delivery to the Company of the sale or loan proceeds required to pay the exercise price; or

(vi) delivery of an irrevocable subscription agreement for the Shares which irrevocably obligates the Optionee to take and pay for the Shares not more than twelve (12) months after the date of delivery of the subscription agreement; or

(vii) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or

(viii) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted under applicable law.

5. Restrictions on Exercise. This Option may not be exercised if the issuance of such Shares upon such exercise or the method of payment of consideration for such shares would constitute a violation of any applicable federal or state securities or other law or regulations, or if such issuance would not comply with the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed. As a condition to the exercise of this Option, the Company may require Optionee to make any representation and warranty to the Company as may be required by any applicable law or regulation.

6. Non-Transferability of Option. This Option may not be transferred in any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by the Optionee. The terms of this Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.

7. Term of Option. This Option may not be exercised more than ten
(10) years from the date of grant of this Option, and may be exercised during such period only in accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option.

8. Taxation Upon Exercise of Option. Optionee understands that, upon exercise of this Option, he or she will recognize income for tax purposes in an amount equal to the excess of the then Fair Market Value of the Shares purchased over the exercise price paid for such Shares. Since the Optionee is subject to Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, under certain limited circumstances the measurement and timing of such income (and the commencement of any capital gain holding period) may be deferred, and the Optionee is advised to contact a tax advisor concerning the application of
Section 83 in general and the availability a Section 83(b) election in particular in connection with the exercise of the Option. Upon a resale of such Shares by the Optionee, any difference between the sale price and the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the

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date of exercise of the Option, to the extent not included in income as described above, will be treated as capital gain or loss.

DATE OF GRANT: ______________

Nanometrics Incorporated,
a California corporation

By:

Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto, and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this Option subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board upon any questions arising under the Plan.

Dated: _________________


Optionee

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EXHIBIT A

DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION EXERCISE NOTICE

Nanometrics Incorporated
[Address]

Attention: Corporate Secretary

1. Exercise of Option. The undersigned ("Optionee") hereby elects to exercise Optionee's option to purchase ______ shares of the Common Stock (the "Shares") of Nanometrics Incorporated (the "Company") under and pursuant to the Company's 2000 Director Option Plan and the Director Option Agreement dated _______________ (the "Agreement").

2. Representations of Optionee. Optionee acknowledges that Optionee has received, read and understood the Agreement.

3. Federal Restrictions on Transfer. Optionee understands that the Shares must be held indefinitely unless they are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or unless an exemption from such registration is available, and that the certificate(s) representing the Shares may bear a legend to that effect. Optionee understands that the Company is under no obligation to register the Shares and that an exemption may not be available or may not permit Optionee to transfer Shares in the amounts or at the times proposed by Optionee.

4. Tax Consequences. Optionee understands that Optionee may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Optionee's purchase or disposition of the Shares. Optionee represents that Optionee has consulted with any tax consultant(s) Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Optionee is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.

5. Delivery of Payment. Optionee herewith delivers to the Company the aggregate purchase price for the Shares that Optionee has elected to purchase and has made provision for the payment of any federal or state withholding taxes required to be paid or withheld by the Company.

6. Entire Agreement. The Agreement is incorporated herein by reference. This Exercise Notice and the Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with respect to the


subject matter hereof. This Exercise Notice and the Agreement are governed by California law except for that body of law pertaining to conflict of laws.

Submitted by:                               Accepted by:

OPTIONEE:                                   NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED


By:                                By:
    ---------------------------        -------------------------------

                                   Its:
                                        ------------------------------

Address:

Dated: Dated:

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Exhibit 5.1

July 5, 2000

Nanometrics Incorporated
310 DeGuigne Drive
Sunnyvale, California 94086

Re: REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by you with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about July 6, 2000 (the "Registration Statement") in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of 150,000 shares of your Common Stock reserved for issuance under your Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP"), 1,250,000 shares of your Common Stock reserved for issuance under your 2000 Employee Stock Option Plan (the "Employee Stock Option Plan") and 250,000 shares of your Common Stock reserved for issuance under your 2000 Director Stock Option Plan (the "Director Stock Option Plan"). As your legal counsel, we have examined the proceedings taken and are familiar with the proceedings proposed to be taken in connection with the issuance and sale of such shares of your Common Stock to be issued under the ESPP, the Employee Stock Option Plan, and the Director Stock Option Plan.

It is our opinion that, upon completion of the actions being taken, or contemplated by us as your counsel to be taken by you prior to the issuance of such shares of your Common Stock pursuant to the Registration Statement, the ESPP, the Employee Stock Option Plan, and the Director Stock Option Plan and upon completion of the actions being taken in order to permit such transactions to be carried out in accordance with the securities laws of the various states where required, such shares of your Common Stock will be legally and validly issued, fully-paid and non-assessable.

We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.

Very truly yours,

WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
Professional Corporation

/s/ Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati


Exhibit 23.1

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of Nanometrics Incorporated on Form S-8 of our report dated February 15, 2000, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Nanometrics Incorporated for the year ended December 31, 1999.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
-------------------------------
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

San Jose, California
July 5, 2000