millimicron

1 8.6

A unit of length equal to one billionth of a meter called a nanometer

noun
/ˌmɪlɪˈmaɪkrɒn/

Archaic

: milimicrón

In semiconductor manufacturing, features are often scaled down to just a few millimicrons to improve efficiency.

Examples

Range: 100 millimicrons ultraviolet to 2000 millimicrons infrared.

Wolfen (1981)
Range: 100 millimicrons ultraviolet to 2000 millimicrons infrared.

Wolfen (1981)
The scientist measured the particle size in millimicrons to ensure precision at the nanoscale.
Understanding measurements in millimicrons is crucial for advancements in nanotechnology.

Synonyms

vsmillimicron

Specialized

7 5.5

A unit for measuring very short lengths equal to one billionth of a meter

is an older full written name rather than the short form

nanometer

vsmillimicron

Specialized

7 4.8

One billionth of a meter used to measure very small parts like computer chips

is an older name now rarely used in current language

micromillimeter

vsmillimicron

Archaic

9.9

A very small length equal to one billionth of a meter

is the modern name now preferred over that older term

Surface Forms

millimicron singular

millimicrons plural

Morphology

millimicron = micron (transparent) = milli + micron

The prefix 'milli-' (one thousandth) applied to 'micron' (10⁻⁶ m) yields 10⁻⁹ m (nanometre), a directly derivable meaning for learners familiar with these units.

Etymology

Millimicron is made from milli- meaning 'thousandth' and micron, the same part you see in microscope, meaning 'small', so it was used for a 'thousandth of a micron'. That's why a millimicron is one billionth of a meter and today we usually call it a 'nanometer'.