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): December 9, 2011

COHERENT, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

5100 Patrick Henry Drive

Santa Clara, CA 95054

(Address of principal executive offices)

(408) 764-4000

(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:

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 5.02.         Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors, Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

On December 9, 2011, upon the recommendation of its Nominating and Governance Committee, the Board of Directors of Coherent, Inc. (“Coherent”) appointed Jay T. Flatley to its Compensation and H.R. Committee effective as of that date.

ITEM 8.01.         Other Events

The 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“Annual Meeting”) will be held on February 28, 2012, at a time and location to be set forth in the notice of meeting. The Annual Meeting is being held more than 30 days before the anniversary of Coherent’s most recent Annual Meeting of Stockholders.  This Current Report on Form 8-K constitutes public announcement of the date of the Annual Meeting for purposes of Article II, Section 2.16 of Coherent’s bylaws.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

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