ZYGO

Zygo is a combining form derived from the Greek word zygon, meaning “yoke” or “joining.” In scientific terminology, the prefix zygo- conveys ideas of pairing, fusion, or linkage. In biology and medicine, it appears in words such as zygote, the fertilized egg formed by the union of two gametes; zygomycota (often referred to as zygomycetes), a grouping of certain fungi; zygomorphy, the condition of having bilateral symmetry; zygomatic, relating to the cheekbone; and zygosity, the degree of similarity of alleles on paired chromosomes. In anatomy, the zygomatic arch is the bony structure that connects the cheekbone to the skull. In botany, zygomorphic flowers exhibit a single plane of symmetry. The term is also found in genetics, developmental biology, and comparative anatomy where joining or pairing is a key concept.

Zygo Corporation, commonly stylized as ZYGO, is a technology company known for optical metrology instruments. It designs and manufactures devices such as interferometers and surface profilers used to measure surface topography and optical components with high precision. Product lines have included white-light interferometers, phase-shifting interferometers, and laser Doppler vibrometers, serving industries including semiconductor, optics, and precision engineering. The Zygo brand has undergone corporate changes through mergers and acquisitions, but remains associated with high-precision optical metrology and instrumentation.