##### 



United States
Securities and Exchange Commission
 Washington, D.C. 20549
 SCHEDULE 14A
 (Rule 14a-101)
 INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
 Proxy statement pursuant to section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 þ
 o
  o
    
    Preliminary Proxy Statemento
    
    Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))o
    
    Definitive Proxy Statementþ
    
    Definitive Additional Materialso
    
    Soliciting Material under sec. 240.14a-12
 NEWPORT
CORPORATION
 (Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
  þ
    
    Fee not requiredo
    
    Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
 1.
    
    
    Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:2.
    
    
    Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:3.
    
    
    Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange
Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
was determined):4. Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:5. Total fee paid:
 o
    
    Fee paid previously with preliminary materialso
    
    Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the
offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing
by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the
date of its filing
 1.
    
    
    Amount Previously Paid:2.
    
    
    Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:3.
    
    
    Filing Party:4.
    
    
    Date Filed:




---



##### 



Important Notice Regarding
the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting to be held on 5/20/08.
 This communication presents
only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are
available to you on the Internet. We encourage you to access and review all of the important
information contained in the proxy materials before voting.
  Notice and Proxy Statement /
Annual Report on Form 10-K
 www.proxyvote.com
   If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of the above listed documents you must request one.
There is no charge to you for requesting a copy. To facilitate timely delivery please make the
request as instructed below on or before 5/6/08.
 Internet www.proxyvote.com Telephone **Email
 12-digit Control#
(located on the following page)
  NEWPORT CORPORATION(NEWPORT LOGO)
NEWPORT CORPORATION1791 DEERE AVENUEIRVINE, CA 92606
    
    (PERSON LOGO)
    
    Vote In PersonMany shareholder meetings have
attendance requirements including, but not limited to, the possession of an attendance
ticket issued by the entity holding the meeting. Please check the meeting materials for any special requirements for meeting
attendance. At the Meeting you will need to request a ballot to vote
these shares.(INTERNET LOGO)
    
    Vote By InternetTo vote nowby Internet, go to
WWW.PROXYVOTE.COM.Use the Internet to transmit your voting
instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern
Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your notice in hand when you
access the web site and follow the instructions.




---



##### 



Meeting Location




---



##### 



Voting
items
 1.
    
    ELECTION OF TWO CLASS IV DIRECTORS TO SERVE FOR FOUR YEARS
 Nominees:
 01)
    
    Robert L. Guyett02)
    
    Robert J. Phillippy
 The Board of Directors recommends a vote FORall director nominees.
 2.
    
    RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS NEWPORTS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JANUARY 3, 2009The Board of Directors recommends a vote FORproposal 2.
 3.
    
    CONSIDERATION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL TO DECLASSIFY NEWPORTS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 The Board of Directors recommends a vote
AGAINSTproposal 3.
 4.
    
    OTHER BUSINESS: In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly be brought before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.