millimicron n : a metric unit of length equal to one billionth of a meter [syn: nanometer, nanometre, nm, micromillimeter, micromillimetre]

A nanometre (American spelling: nanometer, symbol nm) (Greek: νάνος, nanos, dwarf; μετρώ, metrό, count) is a unit of length in the metric system, equal to one billionth of a metre (i.e., one millionth of a millimetre).

It is one of the more often used units for very small lengths, and equals ten Ångström, an internationally recognized non-SI unit of length. It is often associated with the field of nanotechnology. Formerly, millimicron (symbol mµ) was used for the nanometre.

It is also the most common unit used to describe the manufacturing technology used in the semiconductor industry. It is the most common unit to describe the wavelength of light, with visible light falling in the region of 400–700 nm.

Similar terms

Nanometry is the science of counting and measuring particles on the scale of nanometres.

The term nanoscale is used to refer to objects with dimensions on the order 1–100 nm. The term is often heard in relation to nanotechnology.

See also

• 1 E-9 m
• SI prefix
• Orders of magnitude (length)
• Conversion of units, for comparison with other units of length

External links

wikibooks Nanotechnology

• Near-field Mie scattering in optical trap nanometry