Exhibit 24.1

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned, in the capacities relative to Veeco Instruments Inc. ("Veeco")
stated below, hereby appoints Edward H. Braun, John F. Rein, Jr. and Gregory A.
Robbins, and each of them acting individually, his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, to sign and file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (a) a Registration Statement on Form S-8
relating to the issuance of shares of common stock of Veeco upon the exercise of
stock options assumed by Veeco in connection with the merger of CVC, Inc. into
Veeco, (b) a Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to the issuance of
shares of common stock of Veeco upon the exercise of stock options granted under
Veeco's 2000 Stock Option Plan and (c) any and all amendments, including
post-effective amendments, to such Registration Statements.

In witness whereof, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of
April 28, 2000.


SIGNATURES                                  CAPACITY
- ----------                                  --------


/s/ Edward H. Braun
- -----------------------------------         Director, Chairman and Chief
Edward H. Braun                             Executive Officer (principal
                                            executive officer)


/s/ Richard A. D'Amore
- -----------------------------------
Richard A. D'Amore                          Director



/s/ Joel A. Elftmann
- -----------------------------------
Joel A. Elftmann                            Director



/s/ Heinz K. Fridrich
- -----------------------------------
Heinz K. Fridrich                           Director



/s/ Dr. Paul R. Low
- -----------------------------------
Dr. Paul R. Low                             Director



/s/ Roger D. McDaniel
- -----------------------------------
Roger D. McDaniel                           Director





/s/ Irwin H. Pfister
- -----------------------------------
Irwin H. Pfister                            Director



/s/ Walter J. Scherr
- -----------------------------------
Walter J. Scherr                            Director