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• thin film
  thin film

  noun

  a film of material only a few microns thick, deposited on a substrate, as in the technology for making integrated circuits.
• thin-film
  thin-film

  adjective

  (of an electronic component, device, or circuit) composed of one or more extremely thin layers of metal, semiconductor, etc, deposited on a ceramic or glass substrate

thin film

American  

noun

1. a film of material only a few microns thick, deposited on a substrate, as in the technology for making integrated circuits.

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thin-film British  

adjective

1. (of an electronic component, device, or circuit) composed of one or more extremely thin layers of metal, semiconductor, etc, deposited on a ceramic or glass substrate

   thin-film capacitor

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• thin-film
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of thin film

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

At the same time, the researchers continue to investigate other characteristics of thin film iron telluride selenide to better understand its potential for next generation quantum computing.

From Science Daily • Feb. 25, 2026

The Cambridge-developed biocompatible devices -- just a few millionths of a metre thick -- are made using advanced photolithography and thin film deposition techniques, and require minimal power to function.

From Science Daily • May 8, 2024

Using thin film deposition techniques, the researchers were able to grow high-quality cuprous oxide films at ambient pressure and room temperature.

From Science Daily • Apr. 24, 2024

They deposit a thin film that doesn't get wiped up, even after giving the surface a good polish.

From Science Daily • Feb. 14, 2024

As he knew, these were deflected somewhat by magnetic fields but, curiously, even more on their passage through solid matter—even through a thin film such as mica.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik