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PFG Precision Optics - Precision Optics 12/24 LB
Photonics HandbookGeneral Reference

SI Prefixes

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International System of Units (SI)

SI Prefixes


Multiples

Factor

Name

Symbol

 1024

yotta

Y

 1021

zetta

Z

1018

exa

E

1015

peta

P

1012

tera

T

109

giga

G

106

mega

M

103

kilo

k

102

hecto

h

101

deka

da

 

 

 

 


Submultiplies


Factor

Name

Symbol

10−1

deci

d

10−2

centi

c

10−3

milli

m

10−6

micro

µ

10−9

nano

n

10−12

pico

p

10−15

femto

f

10−18

atto

a

10−21

zepto

z

10−24

yocto

y



Bristol Instruments, Inc. - 872 Series LWM 10/24 MR

Note: The kilogram is the only SI unit with a prefix as part of its name and symbol. Because multiple prefixes are not allowed, the kilogram and prefix names are used with the unit name gram and the prefix symbols are used with the unit symbol g. Other than in this case, any SI prefix may be used with any SI unit, including the degree Celsius and its symbol °C.

Example: 10–6 kg = 1 mg (one milligram),
               but not 10–6 kg = 1 μkg (one microkilogram)


Source: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Glossary
kilo
In the SI system, prefix meaning one thousand, 103.
nano
An SI prefix meaning one billionth (10-9). Nano can also be used to indicate the study of atoms, molecules and other structures and particles on the nanometer scale. Nano-optics (also referred to as nanophotonics), for example, is the study of how light and light-matter interactions behave on the nanometer scale. See nanophotonics.
General Referencekilomicronano

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