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: January 8, 2008

(Date of Earliest Event Reported)

CREDENCE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

DELAWARE

000-22366

94-2878499

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

1421 California Circle

Milpitas, California

95035

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

408-635-4300

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o		Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o		Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o		Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o		Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On January 8, 2008, Credence Systems Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing the Company’s earnings for the fiscal quarter and year ended November 3, 2007. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The information in this report (including Exhibit 99.1) is being furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

The exhibit listed below is being furnished with this Form 8-K.

Exhibit Number		Description
99.1		Press Release dated January 8, 2008, announcing the Company’s earnings for the fiscal quarter and year ended November 3, 2007	.

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.

CREDENCE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

By:	/s/ Byron W. Milstead
	Byron W. Milstead
	Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary

Date: January 8, 2008

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number		Description
99.1		Press Release dated January 8, 2008, announcing the Company’s earnings for the fiscal quarter and year ended November 3, 2007.