Diffraktomeetrid

Diffraktomeetrid is a theoretical unit of measurement proposed in the early 2020s to quantify the extent of diffraction in wave phenomena. The term combines the Greek roots for “diffraction” and the suffix used for various metric units. The unit is defined as the ratio of the observed diffraction pattern’s spread to the wavelength of the incident wave, expressed in dimensionless form. In practice, diffraktomeetrid is intended for use in optical physics, acoustic engineering, and quantum mechanics to characterize the degree of wavefront deformation when a wave passes around obstacles or through apertures. The concept arose during a collaborative project between universities in Sweden and Japan, which sought a standardized metric for comparing diffraction efficiencies across different media and frequencies. Although diffraktomeetrid has not yet been formally adopted by any metrological organization, it has appeared in several conference proceedings and pre‑print archives. Researchers argue that a standardized metric could streamline the reporting of diffraction experiments, especially in nanophotonics and surface plasmon studies. Critics point out that the dimensionless nature of the unit renders it redundant with existing figures of merit such as the diffraction efficiency or the Rayleigh criterion, and that adoption would require significant community consensus. As of 2026, diffraktomeetrid remains a niche concept mostly discussed in specialist forums and academic papers.