A periodic multilayer which is synthetic and where a unit cell, consisting of successive layers that are chemically different from their adjacent neighbours, is repeated. The term quantum well multilayer applies to the superlattices with artificially created electronic band structures.
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1667. 'Thin films including layers: terminology in relation to their preparation and characterization (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 1672 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466081667)