EXHIBIT 23.6

                   [Banc of America Securities LLC Letterhead]

                            OPINION INCLUSION CONSENT

March 15, 2000

Members of the Board of Directors
Veeco Instruments Inc.
Terminal Drive
Plainview, New York 11803

Gentlemen:

      We hereby consent to the inclusion of our opinion letter dated
February 28, 2000 to the Board of Directors of Veeco Instruments Inc. (the
"Company") regarding the acquisition of CVC, Inc. by the Company, in the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 and the related joint proxy
statement/prospectus (the "Registration Statement") and to the references
therein to our firm and to our opinion, including without limitation, under the
headings: "JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS SUMMARY - Opinion of Banc of America
Securities LLC Independent Financial Advisor to Veeco," "THE MERGER - Veeco's
Reasons for the Merger," "THE MERGER - Opinion of Banc of America Securities LLC
Independent Financial Advisor to Veeco" and "THE MERGER AGREEMENT -
Representations and Warranties - Representations and Warranties of Veeco and
Acquisition." In giving the foregoing consent, we do not admit (i) that we come
within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder,
and (ii) that we are experts with respect to any part of the Registration
Statement within the meaning of the term "experts" as used in the Securities Act
and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
promulgated thereunder.

                                    Very truly yours,


                                   /s/ Banc of America Securities LLC

                                   BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC