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). Although it is not yet common usage, it can also be referred to as a nanon (analogous to the usage of "micron" in referring to the micrometre).

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. The symbol µµ has also been used .

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. The data in compact discs is stored as indentations (known as pits) that are approximately 100 nm deep by 500 nm wide.

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.

References

See also

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

External links

• Near-field Mie scattering in optical trap nanometry