content: <PAGE>
  
                                   UNITED STATES
                        SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, D.C. 20549
  
                                      FORM 8-K
  
                                  CURRENT REPORT
      Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  
  
  Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)               October 27, 2000
                                                             ---------------------
  
  
                        GaSonics International Corporation
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  
  
  
          Delaware                        000-23372                94-2159729
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (State or other jurisdiction           (Commission              (IRS Employer
        of incorporation)                File Number)          Identification No.)
  
  
  
       2730 Junction Avenue, San Jose, CA 95134                       94043
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       (Address of principal executive offices)                    (Zip Code)
  
  
  
  Registrant's telephone number, including area code       (408) 570-7400
                                                        --------------------------
  
  
  
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
  
  
  
  <PAGE>
  
  ITEM 5:  OTHER EVENTS
  
            Reference is made to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 27,
  2000 (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 27, 2000)
  (the "October 27, 2000 Form 8-K") of GaSonics International Corporation
  ("GaSonics"), which Current Report is incorporated herein by this reference.
  GaSonics attaches hereto and files herewith as Exhibit 2.1 the Agreement and
  Plan of Reorganization by and between GaSonics, Novellus Systems, Inc., a
  California corporation ("Novellus") and Neptune Acquisition-Sub, Inc., a
  Delaware corporation ("Merger-Sub"). GaSonics also attaches hereto and files
  herewith as Exhibit 99.1, a form of Stockholder Voting Agreement dated October
  25, 2000 entered into between Novellus and the directors of GaSonics.
  
            The Agreement and Plan of Reorganization provides for a fixed exchange
  ratio and there are no closing conditions or termination provisions based upon
  the publicly traded stock price of Gasonics or Novellus.
  
  ITEM 7:  EXHIBITS
  
      The following exhibits are being filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K:
  
  
  EXHIBIT NO.         DESCRIPTION
  ---------------     ------------------------------------------------------------
  
  2.1                 Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and between
                      GaSonics, Novellus and Merger-Sub. The disclosure schedule
                      of GaSonics delivered to Novellus, which contains certain
                      factual matters as exceptions to the contractual
                      representation of GaSonics in the reorganization agreement,
                      has been omitted in accordance with Item 601(b)(2) of
                      Regulation S-K. GaSonics agrees to supplementally furnish a
                      copy of such disclosure schedule to the Securities and
                      Exchange Commission upon request.
  
  99.1                Form of Stockholder Voting Agreement dated October 25, 2000
                      entered into between Novellus and the directors of GaSonics.
  
  Forward-Looking Statements
  
  Except for the historical information presented, certain matters discussed in
  this press release are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain
  risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
  from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by
  such statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements
  regarding financial forecasts, market growth predictions, leadership positions,
  bringing new technologies and products to the market, and the likelihood and
  timing of closing. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
  include risks and uncertainties such as the failure of GaSonics' technology to
  complement and/or broaden Novellus' current technologies, the ability of the
  combined company to create anticipated synergies and increased product sales as
  a result of the acquisition, and possible difficulties in combining the
  operating plans and scientific cultures of Novellus and GaSonics. These risks
  are detailed from time to time in Novellus' and GaSonics' public disclosure
  filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including
  Novellus' annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
  1999, Novellus' Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended
  March 31, 2000, June 30, 2000, and September 30, 2000, Novellus' Registration
  Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 5, 2000, and Novellus' Form 8-K filed on
  April 21, 2000, GaSonics' annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
  September 30, 1999, GaSonics' Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal
  quarters ended December 31, 1999, March 31, 2000, and June 30, 2000, GaSonics'
  Registration Statements on Form S-3 filed on April 10, 2000 and October 3, 2000,
  and GaSonics' Form 8-K filed on September 27, 2000. Copies of Novellus' and
  GaSonics' public disclosure filings with the SEC are available from their
  respective investor relations departments.
  
  Additional information, and where to find it.
  
  Prior to this filing, GaSonics filed a Current Report on Form 8-K containing
  information concerning the expected participants in GaSonics' solicitation of
  proxies in connection with the proposed merger of GaSonics with a subsidiary of
  Novellus (the "Merger") (the "October 27 Form 8-K"), which is incorporated
  herein by reference. Investors are urged to read the October 27 Form 8-K, as
  amended on October 30, 2000, carefully. In addition, it is expected that
  Novellus will file a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the SEC in
  conjunction with the Merger (the "Registration Statement"). The Registration
  Statement will include a proxy statement of GaSonics with respect to GaSonics
  stockholders' vote on the proposed Merger and a prospectus of Novellus with
  respect to the Novellus shares to be issued to GaSonics stockholders in the
  proposed merger (the "Proxy Statement/Prospectus"). GaSonics plans to mail the
  Proxy Statement/Prospectus to its stockholders. Investors and security holders
  are urged to read the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus
  carefully when they are available. The Registration Statement and the Proxy
  Statement/Prospectus will contain important information about GaSonics,
  Novellus, the Merger, the persons soliciting proxies relating to the merger,
  their interests in the merger, and related matters. Investors and security
  holders will be able to obtain free copies of these documents through the Web
  site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
  
  ------------------
  
  Free copies of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and these other documents may also
  be obtained from (i) GaSonics by directing a request by mail or telephone to
  GaSonics, 404 East Plumeria Dr., San Jose, CA 95134, attention: Rammy Rasmussen;
  telephone (408) 570-7400, and (ii) Novellus by directing a request by mail or
  telephone to Novellus, 4000 N. 1st St., San Jose, CA 95134, attention: Bob
  Smith, telephone (408)943-9700. In addition to the Registration Statement and
  the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, GaSonics and Novellus file annual, quarterly,
  and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You
  may read and copy any reports, statements, or other information filed by
  GaSonics or Novellus at the SEC public reference rooms at 450 Fifth Street,
  N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 or at any of the SEC's other public reference rooms
  in New York, New York, and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-
  0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. GaSonics' and
  Novellus' filings with the SEC are also available to the public from commercial
  document-retrieval services and at the Web site maintained by the SEC at
  http://www.sec.gov.
  
  ------------------
  
  Participants in Solicitation
  
  GaSonics, its directors, executive officers and certain other members of
  management and employees may be soliciting proxies from GaSonics stockholders
  in favor of the adoption and approval of the Merger Agreement and approval of
  the Merger and related matters. Information concerning the participants in the
  solicitation will be set forth in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed by
  GaSonics on October 26, 2000, as amended on October 30, 2000, and will also be
  set forth in the Registration Statement, and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus
  under the heading "Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger."
  
  
                                         2
  
  <PAGE>
  
                                     SIGNATURES
  
            Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
  as amended, the  Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
  behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  
  Dated:  October 31, 2000
  
                                GASONICS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
  
                                By: /S/ RAMMY RASMUSSEN
                                   --------------------
                                Rammy Rasmussen
                                Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
  
                                         3
  <PAGE>
  
                                   EXHIBIT INDEX
  
  
  EXHIBIT NO.         DESCRIPTION
  ---------------     ------------------------------------------------------------
  2.1                 Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and between
                      GaSonics, Novellus and Merger-Sub. The disclosure schedule
                      of GaSonics delivered to Novellus, which contains certain
                      factual matters as exceptions to the contractual
                      representation of GaSonics in the reorganization
                      agreement, has been omitted in accordance with Item
                      601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. GaSonics agrees to
                      supplementally furnish a copy of such disclosure schedule
                      to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
  
  99.1                Form of Stockholder Voting Agreement dated October 25, 2000
                      entered into between Novellus and the following officers and
                      directors of GaSonics.
  
                                         4
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text: UNITED STATES
                        SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, D.C. 20549
  
                                      FORM 8-K
  
                                  CURRENT REPORT
      Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  
  Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)               October 27, 2000
                                                             ---------------------
  
                        GaSonics International Corporation
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  
          Delaware                        000-23372                94-2159729
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (State or other jurisdiction           (Commission              (IRS Employer
        of incorporation)                File Number)          Identification No.)
  
       2730 Junction Avenue, San Jose, CA 95134                       94043
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       (Address of principal executive offices)                    (Zip Code)
  
  Registrant's telephone number, including area code       (408) 570-7400
                                                        --------------------------
  
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
  ITEM 5:  OTHER EVENTS
  
            Reference is made to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 27,
  2000 (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 27, 2000)
  (the "October 27, 2000 Form 8-K") of GaSonics International Corporation
  ("GaSonics"), which Current Report is incorporated herein by this reference.
  GaSonics attaches hereto and files herewith as Exhibit 2.1 the Agreement and
  Plan of Reorganization by and between GaSonics, Novellus Systems, Inc., a
  California corporation ("Novellus") and Neptune Acquisition-Sub, Inc., a
  Delaware corporation ("Merger-Sub"). GaSonics also attaches hereto and files
  herewith as Exhibit 99.1, a form of Stockholder Voting Agreement dated October
  25, 2000 entered into between Novellus and the directors of GaSonics.
  
            The Agreement and Plan of Reorganization provides for a fixed exchange
  ratio and there are no closing conditions or termination provisions based upon
  the publicly traded stock price of Gasonics or Novellus.
  
  ITEM 7:  EXHIBITS
  
      The following exhibits are being filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K:
  
  EXHIBIT NO.         DESCRIPTION
  ---------------     ------------------------------------------------------------
  
  2.1                 Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and between
                      GaSonics, Novellus and Merger-Sub. The disclosure schedule
                      of GaSonics delivered to Novellus, which contains certain
                      factual matters as exceptions to the contractual
                      representation of GaSonics in the reorganization agreement,
                      has been omitted in accordance with Item 601(b)(2) of
                      Regulation S-K. GaSonics agrees to supplementally furnish a
                      copy of such disclosure schedule to the Securities and
                      Exchange Commission upon request.
  
  99.1                Form of Stockholder Voting Agreement dated October 25, 2000
                      entered into between Novellus and the directors of GaSonics.
  
  Forward-Looking Statements
  
  Except for the historical information presented, certain matters discussed in
  this press release are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain
  risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
  from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by
  such statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements
  regarding financial forecasts, market growth predictions, leadership positions,
  bringing new technologies and products to the market, and the likelihood and
  timing of closing. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
  include risks and uncertainties such as the failure of GaSonics' technology to
  complement and/or broaden Novellus' current technologies, the ability of the
  combined company to create anticipated synergies and increased product sales as
  a result of the acquisition, and possible difficulties in combining the
  operating plans and scientific cultures of Novellus and GaSonics. These risks
  are detailed from time to time in Novellus' and GaSonics' public disclosure
  filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including
  Novellus' annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
  1999, Novellus' Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended
  March 31, 2000, June 30, 2000, and September 30, 2000, Novellus' Registration
  Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 5, 2000, and Novellus' Form 8-K filed on
  April 21, 2000, GaSonics' annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
  September 30, 1999, GaSonics' Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal
  quarters ended December 31, 1999, March 31, 2000, and June 30, 2000, GaSonics'
  Registration Statements on Form S-3 filed on April 10, 2000 and October 3, 2000,
  and GaSonics' Form 8-K filed on September 27, 2000. Copies of Novellus' and
  GaSonics' public disclosure filings with the SEC are available from their
  respective investor relations departments.
  
  Additional information, and where to find it.
  
  Prior to this filing, GaSonics filed a Current Report on Form 8-K containing
  information concerning the expected participants in GaSonics' solicitation of
  proxies in connection with the proposed merger of GaSonics with a subsidiary of
  Novellus (the "Merger") (the "October 27 Form 8-K"), which is incorporated
  herein by reference. Investors are urged to read the October 27 Form 8-K, as
  amended on October 30, 2000, carefully. In addition, it is expected that
  Novellus will file a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the SEC in
  conjunction with the Merger (the "Registration Statement"). The Registration
  Statement will include a proxy statement of GaSonics with respect to GaSonics
  stockholders' vote on the proposed Merger and a prospectus of Novellus with
  respect to the Novellus shares to be issued to GaSonics stockholders in the
  proposed merger (the "Proxy Statement/Prospectus"). GaSonics plans to mail the
  Proxy Statement/Prospectus to its stockholders. Investors and security holders
  are urged to read the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus
  carefully when they are available. The Registration Statement and the Proxy
  Statement/Prospectus will contain important information about GaSonics,
  Novellus, the Merger, the persons soliciting proxies relating to the merger,
  their interests in the merger, and related matters. Investors and security
  holders will be able to obtain free copies of these documents through the Web
  site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
  
  ------------------
  
  Free copies of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and these other documents may also
  be obtained from (i) GaSonics by directing a request by mail or telephone to
  GaSonics, 404 East Plumeria Dr., San Jose, CA 95134, attention: Rammy Rasmussen;
  telephone (408) 570-7400, and (ii) Novellus by directing a request by mail or
  telephone to Novellus, 4000 N. 1st St., San Jose, CA 95134, attention: Bob
  Smith, telephone (408)943-9700. In addition to the Registration Statement and
  the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, GaSonics and Novellus file annual, quarterly,
  and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You
  may read and copy any reports, statements, or other information filed by
  GaSonics or Novellus at the SEC public reference rooms at 450 Fifth Street,
  N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 or at any of the SEC's other public reference rooms
  in New York, New York, and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-
  0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. GaSonics' and
  Novellus' filings with the SEC are also available to the public from commercial
  document-retrieval services and at the Web site maintained by the SEC at
  http://www.sec.gov.
  
  ------------------
  
  Participants in Solicitation
  
  GaSonics, its directors, executive officers and certain other members of
  management and employees may be soliciting proxies from GaSonics stockholders
  in favor of the adoption and approval of the Merger Agreement and approval of
  the Merger and related matters. Information concerning the participants in the
  solicitation will be set forth in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed by
  GaSonics on October 26, 2000, as amended on October 30, 2000, and will also be
  set forth in the Registration Statement, and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus
  under the heading "Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger."
  
                                         2
  SIGNATURES
  
            Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
  as amended, the  Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
  behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  
  Dated:  October 31, 2000
  
                                GASONICS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
  
                                By: /S/ RAMMY RASMUSSEN
                                   --------------------
                                Rammy Rasmussen
                                Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
  
                                         3
  EXHIBIT INDEX
  
  EXHIBIT NO.         DESCRIPTION
  ---------------     ------------------------------------------------------------
  2.1                 Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and between
                      GaSonics, Novellus and Merger-Sub. The disclosure schedule
                      of GaSonics delivered to Novellus, which contains certain
                      factual matters as exceptions to the contractual
                      representation of GaSonics in the reorganization
                      agreement, has been omitted in accordance with Item
                      601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. GaSonics agrees to
                      supplementally furnish a copy of such disclosure schedule
                      to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
  
  99.1                Form of Stockholder Voting Agreement dated October 25, 2000
                      entered into between Novellus and the following officers and
                      directors of GaSonics.
  
                                         4