Document:

Rec ___________
Doc ___________
Int ___________
Total _________

                             MODIFICATION AGREEMENT

                  THIS MODIFICATION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is executed the
6th day of January, 2000, by PLASMA-THERM, INC., a Florida corporation (the
"Borrower") and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., a national banking association, d/b/a
NationsBank, N.A., successor to NationsBank, N.A. ("Lender"), and is made in
reference to the following facts:

                                R E C I T A L S:

                  A. Borrower is the owner of certain real property and all
improvements thereon lying in Pinellas County, Florida, as more particularly
described in Exhibit "A" attached hereto and by this reference made a part
hereof (the "Property").

                  B. On or about February 18, 1999, Borrower executed a
promissory note in the original principal amount of $4,500,000.00 (the "Note")
in favor of Lender to evidence a construction loan made for the purpose of
constructing a 31,459 square foot (MOL) office/manufacturing facility, including
leasehold improvements, upon the Property (the "Loan").

                  C. In order to secure the Note, Borrower executed a Mortgage,
Assignment of Rents and Security Agreement dated February 18, 1999, and recorded
in O.R. Book 10412, Page 1 of the Public Records of Pinellas County, Florida
(the "Mortgage"). The Mortgage secures the Note and encumbers the Property.

                  D. Simultaneously with the execution of the Mortgage, Borrower
also executed, among other documents, the following loan and security documents:

                     i) UCC-1 Financing Statement recorded in O.R. Book 10412,
Page 26 of the Public Records of Pinellas County, Florida, and UCC-1 Financing
Statement filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Florida, File No.
96-0000038631 ("UCC-1 Financing Statements");

                                    This instrument prepared by and returned to:
                                                                  MARY JO CARNEY
                                       Powell, Carney, Hayes & Silverstein, P.A.
                                                            Post Office Box 1689
                                                   St. Petersburg, FL 33731-1689

<PAGE>

                    ii) Collateral Assignment of General Construction Contract,
Subcontracts, Plans and Specifications, and Permits and Collateral Assignment of
Professional Agreements and Plans and Specifications, and Permits (the
"Assignments");

                   iii) Construction Loan Agreement ("Loan Agreement"); and

                    iv) Environmental Indemnity Agreement ("Indemnity
Agreement").

                  E. On or about April 18, 1997, the Borrower and Lender
executed that certain Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement"), which Credit
Agreement has been amended from time to time, and which Credit Agreement further
secures the Loan.

                  F. On or about July 13, 1999, the Loan was modified by letter
agreement between the Lender and Borrower (the "Letter Amendment"), when the
Borrower decided that it did not wish to proceed immediately with the
construction of the research and development facility for which the Loan
proceeds were made available.

                  G. For purposes of this Agreement, the Notes, Mortgage, UCC-1
Financing Statements, Assignments, Loan Agreement, Indemnity Agreement, Credit
Agreement and Letter Amendment shall be referred to as the "Documents".

                  H. The Borrower has now decided to proceed with the
construction of the building and office portion of the contemplated
improvements, and the Lender has agreed to advance funds under the Loan, up to
$2,400,000.00, for this purpose, subject to the terms and conditions stated
herein.

                  NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and
for other good and valuable consideration in hand paid by each of the parties
hereto to the others, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged by each of
them, the parties do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

                  1. RECITALS.  The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that
the statements contained in the recitals of fact set forth above (the
"Recitals") are true and correct, and the Recitals are by this reference made a
part of this Agreement.

                  2. EXTENSION OF MATURITY DATE. The Maturity Date of the Note
is hereby extended to September 15, 2000, and the Extension Maturity Date is
hereby extended to September 15, 2005.

                  3. MODIFICATION OF MORTGAGE. The definition for "Loan
Agreement" set forth in Section 1.1(r) of the Mortgage is hereby deleted in its
entirety, and the following definition is inserted in lieu thereof:

                                       2

<PAGE>

                     (r) LOAN AGREEMENT: The construction loan agreement
                  of even date herewith between Mortgagor and Mortgagee and that
                  certain Credit Agreement between Mortgagee and Mortgagor,
                  dated April 18, 1997, as amended on March 25, 1998, and on
                  even date herewith, and as may be further amended or modified
                  from time to time in the future.

                  4. MODIFICATION OF LOAN AGREEMENT. The Loan Agreement is
hereby amended to address the Borrower's decision to proceed with the
construction of a portion of the Project (as defined in the Loan Agreement). The
Lender has agreed to advance funds under the Loan of up to $2,400,000.00 for the
construction of the building and the office space located therein. As to the
balance of the Loan funds originally approved (in the amount of $2,100,000.00),
the Lender will keep its Loan commitment open until February 28, 2000, provided,
however, that the Lender shall have no obligation to fund said remaining
proceeds under the Loan commitment and the Documents unless further agreed to in
writing by the Lender and Borrower. More specifically, the Loan Agreement is
hereby amended as follows:

                     (a) EXHIBIT "B" - BASIC INFORMATION. The Loan Agreement is
hereby amended to modify certain basic information definitions, as follows:

                      "COMPLETION DATE" means September 15, 2000.

                      "IMPROVEMENTS" means all on-site and off-site
                      improvements to the Land for a 31,459 square foot
                      (MOL) building containing approximately 16,545 square
                      feet (MOL) of office space, and approximately 14,914
                      square feet (MOL) of vacant space for future
                      expansion for manufacturing purposes, including
                      leasehold improvements, to be constructed on Parcel I
                      of the Land, together with all fixtures and
                      appurtenances now or later to be located on the Land
                      and/or in such improvements.

                      (b) BUDGET. The Budget attached to the Loan Agreement as
Exhibit "D" is hereby replaced by the Budget attached hereto as Exhibit "D", and
hereafter, whenever in the Loan Agreement, the term "Budget" is used, it shall
be deemed to mean the Budget attached hereto as Exhibit "D".

                      (c) CONSTRUCTION OF THE IMPROVEMENTS. Section 2.3 of the
Loan Agreement is amended only insofar as the Borrower shall be required to
commence construction of the Improvements on or before January 1, 2000.

                                       3

<PAGE>

                      (d)  CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANT AND SUPERVISING ARCHITECT.
Section 2.12 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended only insofar as the
Borrower shall pay the cost of all services to be performed by the Lender's
Construction Consultant in connection with the construction of the Improvements,
including a review of the Plans and specifications and all proposed changes to
them and preparation of a "cost take-off" construction analysis, except that the
Lender shall pay for the services to be performed by the Lender's Construction
Consultant in approving requests for Loan disbursements, and inspecting the
construction work for conformity with the approved Plans and specifications, up
to the ninth (9th) inspection, if applicable; and thereafter, the Borrower shall
pay the cost of all subsequent inspections of the Property made by the
Construction Consultant, if applicable.

                  5. MODIFICATION OF OTHER DOCUMENTS. Subsequent to the closing
of the Loan, the name of the Lender changed to Bank of America, N.A.
Accordingly, wherever in the Documents, the name of the Lender appears, it shall
be deemed to mean Bank of America, N.A., a national banking association, d/b/a
NationsBank, N.A., successor to NationsBank, N.A. Wherever in the Documents
references are made to the "Credit Agreement", such references shall be deemed
to include all amendments and modifications made to same as of the date hereof
and in the future. Furthermore, wherever in the Documents the project is
described or defined, such description shall be modified to reflect the
construction of the 31,459 square foot (MOL) building, containing approximately
16,545 square feet (MOL) of office space and 14,914 square feet (MOL) of vacant
space for future expansion for manufacturing purposes, including leasehold
improvements in the office space. Otherwise, the Documents are hereby modified
so that they remain in full force and effect, conform fully with the terms of
this Agreement, and continue to serve as security for the Note remaining unpaid
from time to time.

                  6. WARRANTY OF TITLE. Borrower hereby warrants and represents
to Lender that there are no mortgages, liens or leases affecting the Property
other than the following:

                      (a)  The Mortgage,

                      (b)  This Agreement,

                      (c)  The UCC-1 Financing Statements,

                      (d)  Ad valorem taxes for the year 2000, and for all
                           subsequent years, and

                      (e)  Easements, restrictions, agreements, covenants,
                           mortgages and matters as shown in the Title Insurance
                           Policy No. FA-M-946453, by First American Title
                           Insurance Company, as endorsed from time to time
                           up to the date of this Agreement.

                  7. STATE DOCUMENTARY STAMP TAXES AND OTHER COSTS. Borrower
shall be liable for and shall promptly pay the full amount of any documentary
stamps, intangible taxes, interest and penalties, if any, levied by the State of
Florida incident to the Loan transaction described in this Agreement.

                                       4

<PAGE>

                  8. CONSENT AND WAIVER. Borrower hereby consents to this
Agreement and agrees that the execution of this Agreement shall in no manner or
way whatsoever impair or otherwise adversely affect their liability to Lender
under the Note, Documents, or this Agreement.

                  9. WAIVER OF DEFENSES. Borrower hereby waives any claim or
defense which it may have up to the date of this Agreement with respect to the
Note, the Documents and this Agreement, and further agrees not to raise any such
claim or defense, if any, in any civil proceeding or otherwise.

                  10. RELEASE. AS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR LENDER TO EXECUTE
THIS AGREEMENT, BORROWER DOES HEREBY RELEASE, WAIVE, DISCHARGE, COVENANT NOT TO
SUE, ACQUIT, SATISFY AND FOREVER DISCHARGE LENDER, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS,
EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS AND ITS AFFILIATES AND ASSIGNS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY,
CLAIMS, COUNTERCLAIMS, DEFENSES, ACTIONS, CAUSES OF ACTION, SUITS,
CONTROVERSIES, AGREEMENTS, PROMISES AND DEMANDS WHATSOEVER IN LAW OR IN EQUITY
WHICH BORROWER EVER HAD, NOW HAS, OR WHICH ANY PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE,
SUCCESSOR, HEIR OR ASSIGN OF BORROWER HEREAFTER CAN, SHALL OR MAY HAVE AGAINST
LENDER, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS, AND CAUSE OR THING
WHATSOEVER THROUGH THE DATE HEREOF. BORROWER FURTHER EXPRESSLY AGREES THAT THE
FOREGOING RELEASE AND WAIVER AGREEMENT IS INTENDED TO BE AS BROAD AND INCLUSIVE
AS PERMITTED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA. IN ADDITION TO, AND WITHOUT
LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, AND IN CONSIDERATION OF LENDER'S
EXECUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT, BORROWER COVENANTS WITH AND WARRANTS UNTO LENDER,
AND ITS AFFILIATES AND ASSIGNS, THAT THERE EXIST NO CLAIMS, COUNTERCLAIMS,
DEFENSES, OBJECTIONS, OFFSETS OR CLAIMS OF OFFSETS AGAINST LENDER OR THE
OBLIGATION OF BORROWER TO PAY THE LOAN TO LENDER WHEN AND AS THE SAME BECOMES
DUE AND PAYABLE.

                  11. RATIFICATION AND REAFFIRMATION. Borrower hereby ratifies
and reaffirms the continued validity and enforceability of the terms, conditions
and obligations set forth in the Note and Documents, and its continuing or new
obligations under such instruments or any other instruments referenced in this
Agreement. Borrower further states that all warranties and representations made
in the Documents in connection with the Loan are hereby restated and reaffirmed
as of the date of this Agreement with regard to the Loan and the Property.

                  12. NO NOVATION. It is the intent of the parties that this
Agreement shall not constitute a novation and shall in no way adversely affect
the lien priority of the Mortgage and other Documents referred to above. In the
event that this Agreement, or any part hereof, shall be construed by a court of
competent jurisdiction as operating to affect the lien priority of said Mortgage
or other Documents, or any of them, over the claims which would otherwise be
subordinate thereto, then to

                                       5

<PAGE>

the extent so ruled by such court, and to the extent that third persons
acquiring an interest in the Property between the time of execution of the
Mortgage, other Documents, and the execution hereof, are prejudiced thereby,
this Agreement, or such portion hereof as shall be so construed, shall be at the
option of Lender void and of no force and effect and the Note, Mortgage and
Documents shall be in full force and effect according to their terms prior to
the modifications made in this Agreement. Provided, however, that
notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties hereto, as between themselves, shall
be bound by all terms and conditions hereof until all indebtedness owing from
the Borrower to Lender under the Note, Mortgage and Documents shall have been
paid in full.

                  13. LIEN. The Borrower affirms, warrants and represents that
the lien of the Mortgage, as modified by this Agreement, is a first lien on the
Property, and that the security interest granted by any security instrument is a
valid security interest in the collateral described therein with the priority as
stated therein. If at any time Lender shall determine that the lien priority of
the Documents as stated therein is invalid or in jeopardy, or if at any time
Lender is unable to obtain title insurance insuring such liens as valid liens
with the priority stated therein on the collateral described therein, then
Lender shall have the option of declaring the entire indebtedness of the Note,
together with all accrued interest, to be immediately due and payable in full.

                  14. ATTORNEYS' FEES. In the event that Lender must enforce
this Agreement, the Note or any of the Documents to collect any indebtedness
from the Borrower, or to enforce or interpret any provision of this Agreement or
any of the Documents, by law or through attorneys at law, or under advice
therefrom, the Borrower agrees to pay all costs of collection, including
reasonable attorneys' fees (including charges for paralegals and others working
under the direction or supervision of Lender's attorneys) whether or not suit is
brought, and whether incurred in connection with collection, trial, appeal,
bankruptcy or other creditors' proceedings or otherwise, and, if the attorneys
shall include employees of Lender or of any company or bank controlling,
controlled by or under common control with Lender, reasonable attorneys' fees
shall include the costs allocated by Lender's or such affiliated company's or
bank's internal legal department.

                  15. OTHER PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS. Unless otherwise set
forth in this Agreement, all other terms, conditions and obligations set forth
in the Documents shall remain in full force and effect and shall be fully
complied with, and the meaning of any of the defined or other terms herein shall
have the same meaning as ascribed to said terms in the Documents.

                  16. SEVERABILITY. Wherever possible, each provision of this
Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision hereof shall be prohibited or invalid under
applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such
prohibition or invalidity only, without invalidating the remainder of such
provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

                  17. FLORIDA CONTRACT. This Agreement shall be deemed a Florida
contract and shall be construed according to the laws of the State of Florida,
regardless of whether this Agreement is executed by certain of the parties
hereto in other states or otherwise.

                                       6

<PAGE>

                  18. BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement shall bind the successors
and assigns of the parties hereto; it constitutes the entire understanding of
the parties, and it may not be modified except in writing.

                  19. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement on the day and year first above written.

Signed, sealed and delivered in        PLASMA-THERM, INC., a Florida corporation
the presence of:

 /s/ KATHERINE BARTZOFF
 ----------------------
 Signature of Witness                  By: /s/ STACY L. WAGNER
                                           -------------------
 /s/ KATHERINE BARTZOFF                    Stacy L. Wagner, Vice President and
 ---------------------                     Chief Financial Officer
 Legibly Print Name of Witness

                                                    (CORPORATE SEAL)
 /s/ CAROL A. MLOTKOWSKI
 -----------------------
 Signature of Witness

 /s/ CAROL A. MLOTKOWSKI
 -----------------------
 Legibly Print Name of Witness

STATE OF FLORIDA           )
COUNTY OF PINELLAS         )

         The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 6th day of
January, 2000, by STACY L. WAGNER, as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of PLASMA-THERM, INC., a Florida corporation, on behalf of the corporation. She
|X| is personally known to me or |_| has produced ____________________________
as identification.

                                            /s/ KATHERINE BARTZOFF
                                            ----------------------

         (SEAL)                             KATHERINE BARTZOFF
                                            ------------------
My Commission Expires:  November 4, 2002    (Print Name of Notary Public)
                                            Notary Public

                                       7

<PAGE>

                                       BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., d/b/a NationsBank,
                                       N.A., successor to NationsBank, N.A., a
                                       national banking association
-------------------------------
Signature of Witness

-------------------------------
Legibly Print Name of Witness
                                       By:    __________________________________
                                       Name:  __________________________________
                                       Title: __________________________________
-------------------------------
Signature of Witness
                                                       (CORPORATE SEAL)

-------------------------------
Legibly Print Name of Witness

STATE OF FLORIDA           )
COUNTY OF _________________)

         The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this _______ day
of January, 2000, by _________________________, as the __________ President of
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., d/b/a NationsBank, N.A., successor to NationsBank, N.A.,
a national banking association, on behalf of the association. He or she |_| is
personally known to me or |_| has produced___________________ as identification.

                                                 _____________________________

                                                 _____________________________
       (SEAL)                                    (Print Name of Notary Public)
                                                  Notary Public
My Commission Expires:

                                       8

<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT "A"

                                LEGAL DESCRIPTION
         PARCEL I

                  Lot 27, Block C of METROPOINTE COMMERCE PARK PHASE II,
                  according to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 103, Pages
                  25 and 26 of the Public Records of Pinellas County, Florida,
                  less the North 130.00 feet thereof, together with Lot 26,
                  Block C of Metropointe Commerce Park, Phase II, according to a
                  plat thereof as recorded in the Public Records of Pinellas
                  County, Florida recorded in Plat Book 103, Pages 25 and 26.

         PARCEL II

                  Lots 28, 29, 30, 31 and the Northerly 130 feet of Lot 27, all
                  in Block C of METROPOINTE COMMERCE PARK PHASE II, according to
                  the map or plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 103, pages 25
                  and 26, Public Records of Pinellas County, Florida.

<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT "D"

                                     BUDGETEMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                  This Employment Agreement (the "Agreement") is made as of this
1st day of June, 1999, by and between Plasma-Therm, Inc., a Florida corporation
(hereinafter referred to as the "Company"), and Dr. Christopher Constantine
(hereinafter referred to as "Employee").

                  WHEREAS, Company desires to employ Employee and Employee
desires to accept such employment and both parties are entering into this
Agreement to set forth their entire understanding with respect to such
employment;

                  NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto intending to be legally
bound hereby, and in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained,
agree as follows:

                  1.       EMPLOYMENT

                           Company hereby employs Employee and Employee hereby
accepts such employment upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein.

                  2.       TERM

                           The term of this Agreement shall be for a period of
three (3) years commencing on the 1st day of June, 1999, and terminating on the
31st day of May, 2002 (the "Term"). Upon expiration of the initial Term and any
subsequent terms, this Agreement shall automatically renew for additional
subsequent three (3) year Terms unless at least ninety (90) days prior to the
end of the then current Term, either Company or Employee has given written
notice to the other of its or his election to terminate the employment at or
prior to the end of such Term.

                  3.       DUTIES

                           Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, the Company shall employ the Employee during the Term (as hereinafter
defined) in such management capacities as may be assigned, from time to time, by
the Company. The Employee accepts such employment and agrees to devote his best
efforts and entire business time, skill, labor and attention to the performance
of such duties.

                  4.       COMPENSATION

                           Company agrees to pay and Employee agrees to accept
as compensation for all services rendered hereunder:

                           4.1      A base annual salary of $110,000.00 payable
in accordance with the Company's usual payroll procedures as they may exist from
time to time; and

<PAGE>

                           4.2      Three (3) salary increases of ten percent
(10%) each, to be made annually during the initial Term of this Agreement,
effective on the first anniversary date of this Agreement.

                  5.       EXPENSES

                           The parties recognize that in the course of
performing his duties hereunder, Employee may incur expenses. Company agrees to
reimburse Employee upon presentation of vouchers for reasonable expenses
incurred by Employee in the performance of his duties hereunder according to the
Company Travel and Expense policy.

                  6.       FRINGE BENEFITS

                           Employee shall be entitled to such fringe benefits
paid for or supplied by Company and shall be further entitled to the following:

                           6.1      Participation in retirement and Employee
benefit plans such as 401(k), tuition reimbursement, health, dental, accident,
disability, life, or other group insurance plans, and other plans as Company
determines from time to time to make available generally to the other executive
employees of Company.

                           6.2      Nothing herein shall be construed to alter,
amend or modify the terms of any stock option plan or policy that may be made
available to Employee by Company. Upon termination of this Agreement for any
reason, any and all such benefits granted under any such plan or policy shall be
governed by the terms and conditions of that plan or policy as it may exist from
time to time.

                  7.       DEATH OR DISABILITY

                           In the event the Employee becomes permanently
disabled so that he is unable to perform his essential employment duties
hereunder, and no requested reasonable accommodation of Employee's disability is
possible, this Agreement shall terminate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
compensation then payable by Company to Employee pursuant to Section 4 hereof
shall continue to be paid as if Employee were not disabled in any way, until the
end of the current Term of employment pursuant to Section 2 hereof. For the
purposes of this Agreement, the term "permanent disability" shall mean any
disability lasting ninety (90) calendar days or more.

                           In the event Employee becomes temporarily disabled so
that he is unable to perform his essential employment duties hereunder, and no
requested reasonable accommodation of Employee's disability is possible, then
Company has the right to terminate this Agreement without cause consistent with
the obligations set forth in Section 8.3.1, except as otherwise provided by law.
For the purpose of this Agreement, the term "temporary disability" shall mean
any disability lasting less than ninety (90) calendar days.

                           In the event Employee becomes either permanently or
temporarily disabled, Company shall be entitled to credit against its
obligations under Section 7 of this

                                       2

<PAGE>

Agreement the amount of any and all other disability benefits provided by or
paid for by the Company that inure to Employee's benefit. In the event this
Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section, should an Employee's
disability cease prior to the expiration of the Term of employment during which
the Agreement was terminated, then Employee remains obligated to return to his
employment duties with the Company for the balance of the then current Term, at
the Company's option.

                           The terms "disability" and "disabled" as used in this
Agreement connote the inability of Employee, for a period of time greater than
seven (7) consecutive business days, to perform his regular employment duties
hereunder as a result of death, mental or physical illness, or injury or
accident.

                  8.       TERMINATION

                           8.1      Notwithstanding  anything herein contained
to the contrary, subject to Section 7 hereof, Company shall have the right to
terminate this Agreement "with cause." A termination "with cause" may occur as
provided by law or as a result of any criminal activity, reckless misconduct,
gross negligence, non-satisfactory performance or abandonment of corporate
responsibility. In the event of a termination by Company with cause, Company
agrees to provide Employee with one (1) day's notice and pay, but will not have
any further obligations under this Agreement, except as provided by law. Company
may elect to waive the one (1) day notice requirement by providing one (1) day's
pay in lieu of notice.

                           8.2      During the Term of this Agreement, Employee
will not have, either directly or indirectly, any more than ten percent (10%)
equity interest in any entity, including any person, partnership, trust or
incorporated or unincorporated association or entity, that is manufacturing,
distributing or marketing products or services directly competitive to those
manufactured, distributed or marketed by Company. It is expressly understood
that such ownership or interest may represent a conflict of interest which may
be grounds for Company to terminate this Agreement with cause.

                           8.3      Notwithstanding anything herein contained
to the contrary, subject to Sections 7 and 8 herein, Company and Employee shall
have the right to terminate the Agreement hereunder without cause.

                           8.3.1    In the event Company terminates the
Agreement without cause, pursuant to Section 8.3 herein, Employee shall receive
the full compensation hereunder for the then remaining Term of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 2. Company reserves the right to exercise its option to pay
the comparable value of any benefit set forth in Section 6, above, to which
employee is entitled, rather than continuing the benefit for the balance of the
Term; EXCEPT THAT, Employee will not have any continuing rights under the 401(k)
plan or other defined benefit plan, except as otherwise provided by law.

                           8.3.2    In the event Employee terminates the
Agreement without cause, Employee must provide Company with at least ninety (90)
days' advance written notice. Upon the expiration of the ninety (90) day notice
period, all obligations by Company to the Employee, except those provided by
law, shall cease. Failure to provide Company with at least ninety (90)

                                       3

<PAGE>

days' advance written notice constitutes grounds for Company to terminate the
Agreement with "cause" as provided in Section 8.1 above, and voids any other
right that Employee may have to compensation, benefits or plans pursuant to
Company programs or policies, except those required to be provided by law.

                           8.4      In the event of a "Change in  Control" of
Company, as defined in Sections 10 and 11 below, the following shall apply:

                           (a)      Upon a Change in Control, if the Term of the
Agreement has less than twelve (12) months remaining, the Term of this Agreement
shall be extended so that a twelve (12) month Term remains from the time of the
Change in Control to the end of the Term. The extended Term of the Agreement
will be on terms identical to those in effect at the time of the Change in
Control. In the event that more than twelve (12) months of the Term exists as of
the time of a Change in Control, there will be no change in the Term.

                           (b)      Employee  commits to continue to perform his
duties under this Agreement for a minimum of twelve (12) months after a Change
in Control. At the end of twelve (12) months after a Change in Control, Employee
has the option to voluntarily terminate this Agreement. In the event Employee
terminates the Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.4, Employee must provide
Company with at least ninety (90) days' advance written notice. Upon expiration
of the ninety (90) day notice period, all obligations by Company to Employee,
except those provided by law, shall cease.

                           (c)      In the event of a Change of Control, all
stock options granted under the Company's 1995 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan")
shall immediately become fully vested and exercisable. In addition, in the event
of a Change of Control, the Stock Option Committee shall have the discretion to
accelerate the termination of any stock option granted under the Plan to a date
no earlier than six (6) months following the date of a Change of Control.

                           8.5      With respect to any payments due and owing
as a result of any termination pursuant to this Section 8, Employee may, at
Company's option, receive payment for any such obligations in a one-time lump
sum payment, or, may continue to receive payments in accordance with Company's
usual payroll procedures, as they may exist from time to time.

                  9.       COVENANTS BY EMPLOYEE

                           9.1      Employee hereby acknowledges that Company
is one of only a small number of companies worldwide that designs, manufactures
and sells plasma process thin film etching and deposition equipment. Employee
also acknowledges that pursuant to his prior relationship with Company, and
under the terms of this Agreement, he will gain access to valuable trade secrets
of Company and other valuable confidential business and proprietary information,
and will become aware of and a part of Company's substantial relationships with
customers, potential customers, suppliers, and sources. Accordingly, Employee
hereby covenants that he shall not, either directly or indirectly, as a
principal, partner, stockholder, officer, director, agent or employee, or in any
other capacity, enter into any employment agreement, or accept employment with
or render services for, any company, partnership, person or entity that competes
or attempts to compete, whether directly or indirectly, with Company, for

                                       4

<PAGE>

the balance of the then remaining Term of this Agreement, not to exceed twelve
(12) months, regardless of the reason for said termination.

                           9.2      The Employee  agrees that he shall not
solicit or attempt to solicit, sell to, lease to or offer to sell to, or offer
to lease to, except on behalf of Company or any Affiliate, any present or future
customer of Company or Affiliate, any goods or services competitive to the goods
and services now or hereafter offered for sale or lease by Company or any
Affiliate for the periods of time set forth in Section 9.1 herein.

                           9.3      The parties hereto recognize that the
covenants of Employee herein contained are unique and that in the event there is
a breach or threatened breach of such covenants, Company shall be entitled, in
addition to any other remedies available to it, to institute and prosecute
proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction either in law or in equity,
to obtain damages for any breach of covenants or to enforce a specific
performance thereof by Employee, or to enjoin Employee from performing services
or doing any act in breach of such covenants.

                           9.4      For the purposes of this Agreement, the term
"Affiliate" shall mean any person who or which, directly and/or indirectly,
controls, is controlled by or is under common control with another person. For
the purpose of this definition, "control" means the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management and
policies, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise. For the purpose of this definition, "person," refers to an
individual, partnership, company, corporation, or other entity.

                           9.5      Employee agrees that during the Term hereof
and after the termination of Employee for any reason whatsoever, the Employee
shall not disclose to any person, firm, partnership, company, or other legal
entity any information concerning any of the methods of conducting business
utilized by Company or any Affiliate or any details relating thereto including,
but not limited to, the names of suppliers, customers and methods of operation
of Company or any of its Affiliates; Employee hereby acknowledges that this
information is confidential in nature. This provision shall not be construed to
prevent Employee from using any knowledge that he possessed at the time he
commenced his employment with Company or from using any information that is not
confidential.

                           9.6      Employee has carefully read the provisions
of Section 9 herein, and of each subsection or subparagraph thereof, and having
done so agrees that:

                           (a)      the restrictions set forth therein are fair
and reasonable and are reasonably required for the protection of the interests
of Company; and

                           (b)      each subsection or subparagraph set forth
therein is separate and independent and all are to be construed as separate and
independent of any other so as to promote their enforcement to the maximum
extent possible.

                                       5

<PAGE>

                  10.      CHANGE IN CONTROL

                           "Change in  Control" as used in this Agreement shall
refer to any one or more of the following:

                           (a)      the acquisition in any manner of the
beneficial ownership of shares of Company having twenty percent (20%) or more of
the total number of votes that may be cast for the election of one or more
directors of Company by any person, or persons acting as a group within the
meaning of Section 13(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, if the
Board has made a determination that such acquisition constitutes or will
constitute control of Company;

                           (b)      any liquidation, dissolution or sale of all
or substantially all of the assets of Company; or

                           (c)      any action taken following, as a result of,
or in connection with, any tender or exchange, offer, merger or other business
combination of the foregoing whereby the persons who were the Directors of
Company immediately prior to such action shall cease to constitute a majority of
the Board of Company or any successor to Company.

The term "Person," as used in this Section 10, refers to an individual,
partnership, company, corporation, or other entity.

                  11.      ASSIGNABILITY

                           Employee may not transfer or assign this Agreement to
any other person. Company may assign this Agreement to any other company or
entity that acquires all or substantially all of the assets of Company, without
further permission of the Employee. In the event Company assigns this Agreement,
said assignment will be deemed to constitute a "Change in Control" as referred
to in Sections 8.4 and 10, above.

                  12.      PAID TIME OFF

                           Employee shall be entitled to take Paid Time Off at
such time as shall reasonably be requested by Employee and approved by Company
in accordance with Company policy, not to exceed the maximum allowable under
Company policy. Paid Time Off per annum not used, shall be forfeited according
to Company policy. In the event of termination without cause by Company or by
Employee or with cause by Employee, Employee will receive cash equivalent of
time not yet taken during the Term in accordance with Company policy.

                  13.      MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

                           13.1     NOTICES

                           Any notice required or permitted to be given under
this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be deemed to have been given when
delivered personally or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid,
addressed as follows:

                                       6

<PAGE>

     If to Company:       Stacy L. Wagner, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
                          Plasma-Therm, Inc.
                          10050 16th Street North
                          St. Petersburg, FL  33716

     If to Employee:      Dr. Christopher Constantine
                          1818 Pine Hill Drive
                          Safety Harbor, FL 34695

The designation of the person to be so notified or the address of such person
for the purposes of such notice may be changed from time to time by a similar
notice to be effective ten (10) days after such changed designation is supplied.

                           13.2     CHOICE OF LAW

                           This Agreement, and any dispute arising between the
parties by virtue of their relationship under this Agreement, shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the applicable laws of the State of Florida.
The parties further agree that any lawsuit or action pertaining to, or arising
from, this Agreement, shall be brought in the state or federal courts within the
State of Florida, and the parties expressly waive the right to proceed in any
other jurisdiction or forum.

                           13.3     ENTIRE AGREEMENT

                           This Agreement constitutes the full and complete
understanding and agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior
understandings and agreements, and may not be modified or amended orally, but
only by an agreement in writing, signed by the party against whom enforcement of
the Agreement, or of or any waiver, change, modification, extension or discharge
of the Agreement, is sought.

                           13.4     SEVERABILITY

                           This Agreement shall be construed to be valid and
enforceable to the full extent allowed by law. It is understood and agreed by
the parties that if any part, term or provision of this Agreement is determined
to be illegal or in conflict with applicable law, the validity of the remaining
portions or provisions shall not be affected, and the rights and obligations of
the parties shall be construed and enforced as if the Agreement did not contain
the part, term or provision held to be invalid.

                           13.5     INDEMNIFICATION

                           (a)      THIRD-PARTY PROCEEDING: Company shall
indemnify Employee, his heirs, or personal representative, made, or threatened
to be made, a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, by reason
of the fact that he was or is a corporate agent, or serves or served any other
corporation or other enterprise in any capacity at the request of Company, to
the full extent permitted by Florida law, including, without limitation,
indemnification against his expenses and

                                       7

<PAGE>

liabilities in connection with the third-party proceeding if he acted in good
faith and in a manner reasonably believed by him to be in, or not opposed to,
the best interests of Company, and with respect to any criminal third-party
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful or in
violation of applicable rules. The termination of any third-party proceeding by
judgment, order, settlement, consent, filing of a criminal complaint or
information, indictment, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its
equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that Employee did not act
in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in, or not
opposed to, the best interests of Company or, with respect to any criminal
third-party proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was
unlawful.

                           (b)      SCOPE OF EMPLOYMENT: Pursuant to this
Section 13.5, Company shall only indemnify Employee, his heirs, or personal
representative, made, or threatened to be made, a party to any threatened,
pending, or completed action or proceeding, for claims relating to or arising
out of Employee's actions, or omissions, within the scope of his employment by
Company.

                           (c)      The term and conditions of this Section 13.5
shall survive the termination of this Agreement and shall apply to any claims
made against Employee, relating to, or arising from Employee's actions pursuant
to this Agreement.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement
on the day and year first written above.

                                       PLASMA-THERM, INC.
Witness:

/s/ EDMOND A. RICHARDS                 /s/ STACY L. WAGNER
----------------------                 -------------------
Edmond A. Richards                     Stacy L. Wagner, Chief Financial Officer
                                       and Secretary

                                       Employee
Witness:

/s/ RICHARD M. FEENEY                  /s/ CHRISTOPHER CONSTANTINE
---------------------                  ---------------------------
Richard M. Feeney                      Dr. Christopher Constantine

                                       8

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