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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

Researchers think the faster breakdown in mixed samples may happen because a thin film forms where ice touches minerals.

From Science Daily • Feb. 25, 2026

The team then stacked the Fe-Ga thin film atop an Si substrate with the optimum thickness ratio.

From Science Daily • May 13, 2024

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

The team landed on a very thin film device that helps restrain the crystal growth during assembly and printing.

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2024

Her ribs sat there untouched, grown cold now, a thin film of grease congealing beneath them on the plate.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin