Norwest Equity Partners of Minneapolis has acquired the laser optics business of CVI Laser Corp. of Albuquerque, N.M. Norwest's support and management are expected to strengthen the position of the business, now known as CVI Laser LLC, in the electro-optics industry.

Spectral Products, CVI's instrumentation division, will continue to operate as a separate company in Putnam, Conn. Norwest is affiliated with Wells Fargo & Co.