45nm 32 nm 28nm 24nm 22nm ….. What Does It Mean?

Intel's new microprocessor relies on a new recipe that combines the element Hafnium and metal gate technology to increase performance and significantly reduce eco-unfriendly, wasteful electricity leaks. But what does that mean?

Semiconductor manufacturing processes

• 10 µm — 1971
• 3 µm — 1975
• 1.5 µm — 1982
• 1 µm — 1985
• 800 nm (.80 µm) — 1989
• 600 nm (.60 µm) — 1994
• 350 nm (.35 µm) — 1995
• 250 nm (.25 µm) — 1998
• 180 nm (.18 µm) — 1999
• 130 nm (.13 µm) — 2000
• 90 nm — 2002
• 65 nm — 2006
• 45 nm — 2008
• 32 nm — 2010
• 22 nm — 2011
• 16 nm — approx. 2013
• 11 nm — approx. 2015
• 6 nm — approx. 2020