Lambda
17851
226108704
2008-07-16T21:22:51Z
118.90.95.170
/* Lambda as a name */
{{wiktionarypar2|Λ|λ}}
{{Table_Greekletters|letter=lambda}}
'''Lambda''' (uppercase '''Λ''', lowercase '''λ'''; {{lang-el|Λάμβδα}} or {{lang|el|Λάμδα}}, Lamda) is the 11th letter of the [[Greek alphabet]]. In the system of [[Greek numerals]] it has a value of 30. Letters that arose from Lambda include the [[Roman alphabet|Roman]] [[L]] and the [[Cyrillic]] letter [[El (Cyrillic)|El]] (Л, л). In [[Modern Greek]] the name of the letter, Λάμδα, is pronounced {{IPA|[lamða]}}; the letter itself is pronounced {{IPA|[l]}} as with Latin L. The ancient [[Grammarians]] and dramatists attest to a pronunciation of {{IPA|/laːbdaː/}} ({{polytonic|λάβδα}}) in classical times. <ref>Herbert Weir Smyth. ''A Greek Grammar for Colleges''. [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0007 I.1.c]</ref>
==Symbol==
===Upper-case letter Λ===
* The [[lambda particle]]s in [[particle physics]].
* The set of logical axioms in the [[axiomatic method]] of logical deduction in [[first-order logic]].
* Used as a shield pattern by the [[Sparta]]n army; it stood for [[Lakedaimon]], the name of the region.
* The [[von Mangoldt function]] in [[number theory]].
* In [[statistics]], [[Samuel Stanley Wilks|Wilks' lambda]] is used in multivariate analysis of variance ([[MANOVA]]) to compare group means on a combination of dependent variables.
* In [[Spectral decomposition#Normal matrices|spectral decomposition of matrices]], a [[diagonal matrix]] of [[eigenvalues]] of the decomposed matrix.
* In [[astrophysics]], the likelihood that a small body will encounter a planet or dwarf planet leading to a deflection of a particular magnitude. An object with a large value is expected to have [[Clearing the neighbourhood|cleared its neighborhood]], satisfying the current [[definition of planet|definition of a planet]].
* In [[crystal optics]], it is used to represent the period of a lattice.
* In [[NATO]] military operations, the Lambda symbol is painted on coalition force vehicles for identification.
* In [[Electrochemistry]], denotes the Equivalent conductance of an electrolyte.
* In [[cosmology]], the symbol for the [[cosmological constant]].
===Lower-case letter λ===
[[Image:Greek lc lamda thin.svg|right|thumb|100px|Lower-case lambda]]
* A non-[[SI]] [[unit of measure]] of [[volume]] (symbol '''λ''') equal to one [[micro]][[litre]] (1 μL) or one cubic [[milli]][[metre]] (1 mm³). This now-rare use is deprecated.
* The [[wavelength]] of a wave in physics/[[radio]] sciences
* In physics, linear [[charge density]] of a uniformly charged line(measured in C/M).
* The [[Exponential decay|radioactive decay constant]] (Connected to [[half-life]] of a radioactive isotope in physics)
* The [[lambda phage]] virus in biology
* In [[mathematical logic]] and [[computer science]], used to introduce a function expression in the [[lambda calculus]].
* In [[formal language theory]] and [[computer science]], the [[empty string]].
* In [[telecommunications]], a frequency/wavelength on a [[Wavelength-division multiplexing|WDM]] optical transport system
* [[Eigenvalues]] in [[linear algebra]]
* [[Lagrange multipliers]] in [[calculus]]
* [[Lebesgue measure]] in set theory
* [[Goodman and Kruskal's lambda]] is a [[statistic]] that gives the proportional reduction in error when one variable's values are used to predict the values of another variable.
* [[stoichiometric]] [[air-fuel ratio|air to fuel ratio]] [[oxygen sensor]] in an [[internal combustion engine]]'s exhaust gas
* A Japanese rocket type, [[Lambda (rocket)]]
* The [[failure rate]] in hours (also the reciprocal of [[MTBF]]) in [[reliability theory]].
* In criminology, the individual offending frequency.
* In cartography and navigation, [[longitude]].
* [[Christopher Langton]]'s parameter for classification [[Stephen Wolfram]]'s classes of cellular automata
* In [[Electrochemistry]] is used to denote the ionic conductance for a given ion (The ion is generally shown as a subscript to the lambda character).
* In [[Neurobiology]] is the [[Length constant]] or exponential rate of decay of potential across a membrane along a length of axon.
* In [[Heat Transfer]], is used to denote the heat of vaporization per mole or latent heat.<ref>Wankat Separation Process Engineering 2nd ed, Prentice Hall</ref>
* A symbol of gay pride in widespread use in the gay community, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s.
* In celestial and coastal Navigation Lambda (lower case) denotes longitude as opposed to the Roman L which denotes latitude.
==Lambda, the word==
* In [[anatomy]], the '''[[Lambda (anatomy)|lambda]]''' is that point on the [[skull]] where the two [[parietal bone]]s and the [[occipital bone]] come together. The configuration of the [[sutures of skull|sutures]] resembles an upper case lambda, and the suture between each parietal bone and the occipital bone is called the [[lambdoid suture]].
* In programming languages such as [[Lisp (programming language)#Lambda_expressions|Lisp]] and [[Python (programming language)|Python]], '''lambda''' is an operator used to denote anonymous functions or [[Closure_(computer_science)|closures]], following [[lambda calculus]] usage.
* The language [[Unlambda]] is a functional programming language based upon [[combinatory logic]], a simplification of the [[lambda calculus]] that does not involve the lambda at all, hence the un- prefix.
* An automotive [[oxygen sensor]] is also known as an O2 sensor, lambda probe, lambda sensor and lambda sound
* '''Lambda''' is used in art and photography to refer to a digital [[Type C print]] or the equipment used to produce it.
==Lambda as a name==
*The popular [[science fiction]] universe of ''[[Star Wars]]'' uses a transport vehicle known as the [[Lambda-class shuttle]] that when viewed forward has the shape of the lowercase lambda.
*Lambda is occasionally used in graphic design to represent stylized A's. Examples include the Disney movie ''[[Atlantis: The Lost Empire]]'', the TV series ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'' and ''[[Stargate Atlantis]]'', the logo of the band ''[[Angels & Airwaves]]'', the logo of the band ''[[Dream Theater]]'', and the logo of electronics company [[Samsung]]. Conversely, the name of the band ''[[Λucifer]]'' (pronounced ''lucifer'') is sometimes spelt ''Aucifer''.
[[Image:Capital Lambda.svg|thumb|150px|A capital '''Lambda''']]
*''Stargate SG-1'' uses a modified upper-case lambda, with a small circle above the apex, to indicate Earth. This symbol has since become associated with the entire franchise.
*In the ''[[Half-Life (video game)|Half-Life]]'' series of computer games, the 'a' in the title is replaced by the lower case lambda symbol (λ is also the Roman cursive equivalent of the letter 'a'). Also, the Lambda Complex and the protagonist Gordon Freeman's suit both feature a lower-case lambda symbol. In ''[[Half-Life 2]]'', the 'a' in the title is also replaced by the lower case lambda symbol and the symbol is also the logo for [[The Resistance (Half-Life 2)|The Resistance]]. The robotic [[Dog (Half-Life 2)|Dog]] and graffiti sprayed around [[City 17]] also features the symbol. The logo of the ''Half-Life'' series is a circle with the lower case lambda symbol in it, shown with a "2" superscript for ''Half-Life 2''. It is also believed that it was chosen to be the symbol for half life as becouse the lambda 'a' looks like a lower case 'h' mixed with an 'L' these two letters are the initials of Half-Life.
*In the book ''[[Otherland]]'', Lambda is used to describe a huge Virtual Reality area of the Net known as the Lambda Mall which contains every shop on the net.
*As a bonus following the conclusion of the ''[[X-DAY]]'' manga, by Mizushiro Setona, the second book features a short tale entitled "The Last Supper." Its protagonist is a cow, genetically modified to have more human features, Lambda 26. The lambda character is tattooed on the outside of his right forearm.
* [[GM Lambda platform]], a [[crossover SUV]] [[automobile platform]] from [[General Motors Corporation|General Motors]]
* The name of the Nerds' fraternity in ''[[Revenge of the Nerds]]'' film series was Lambda Lambda Lambda, or "the Tri-Lambs." The logo consisted of three capital Lambda letters inside a triangle.
*In the popular anime series ''[[Full Metal Panic!]]'' A select few Arm Slaves possess the device called the Lambda Driver which can manifest emotional thought patterns into raw and devastating physical power. In Full Metal Panic! (primary series), Sousuke Sagara's ARX-7 "Arbalest" has a Lambda Driver (but due to Sagara's lack of experience, it only served to aid him most minimally and improved as time progressed). All oppositions Sousuke has faced where his enemy has used the Lambda Driver also exhibited great power, especially Gauron on three counts; and were all defeated using Arbalest's Lambda Driver.
*[http://www.speironcompany.com/Text/lambda.html /lambda/] is the name of an ultra premium olive oil from Greece that is produced with Koroneiki olives, it is created through the process of common pressing, where carefully selected olives are hand-picked from the tree and pressed the same day.
*In the [[Sailor Moon]] manga, the character [[Sailor Cosmos]] claimed to have the ultimate "Lambda Power."
*Is the one of the main antagonists in ''[[Wild Arms: The 4th Detonator]]''.
*In the video game ''[[Skies of Arcadia]]'', the character Aika uses an attack known as Lambda Burst. In fact, all her attacks are based on Greek letters.
* Lambda is a name of an electrostatic headphone made by the audio company [[Stax Earspeakers]]. It is also a name of an amp made by Z-audio.
* Lambda Acid is also the name of a synthesis item in the online action [[Console role-playing game|RPG]], ''[[Phantasy Star Universe]]''.
*Lambda Ltd. is the name of a large technology company in the [[Custom Robo]] series of video games.
*The latest installment of the [[Guilty Gear]] series of games is called [[Guilty Gear XX Λ Core]], commonly pronounced as "Guilty Gear Accent Core".
*[[Lambda Legal]] is a gay & lesbian legal advocacy group in the United States.
*[[Lambda Literary Awards]] is the name of a group of U.S. book awards presented annually for gay and lesbian literature.
*[[Lambda Particles]] is the name for the [[LGBT]] group at the [[Stanford Linear Accelerator Center]].
* [[National LambdaRail]] is a research high-speed computer network.
* [http://lambda.com Lambda Americas] is a manufacturer of [[Power supply|power supplies]] that was founded in 1948.
* Hyundai Motors uses Lambda to identify their 3.8 liter V6 engine.
* Lambda is the name used by Durst for a series of digital printers using LED's to print directly onto Silver Halide Photographic paper.
* The progressive metal band [[Dream Theater]] uses the capital Lambda (as well as capital Phi and capital Mu) in their wordmark known as the "Majesty Symbol"
== See also ==
* [[Greek letters used in mathematics, science, and engineering]]
==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Greek letters]]
[[Category:Units of volume]]
[[als:Λ]]
[[ar:لامدا (حرف إغريقي)]]
[[arc:Λ]]
[[ast:Lambda]]
[[br:Lambda (lizherenn)]]
[[bg:Ламбда]]
[[ca:Lambda]]
[[cy:Lambda]]
[[da:Lambda (bogstav)]]
[[de:Lambda]]
[[el:Λάμδα]]
[[es:Λ]]
[[eo:Lambdo]]
[[eu:Lambda]]
[[fr:Lambda]]
[[ga:Lambda]]
[[gd:Lambda]]
[[gl:Lambda]]
[[ko:Λ]]
[[hr:Lambda]]
[[is:Lambda]]
[[it:Lambda (lettera)]]
[[he:למבדא]]
[[ka:ლამბდა (ასო)]]
[[ht:Λ]]
[[ku:Lambda]]
[[la:Labda]]
[[lt:Lambda (raidė)]]
[[hu:Lambda]]
[[ms:Lambda]]
[[nah:Λ]]
[[nl:Lambda]]
[[ja:Λ]]
[[no:Lambda]]
[[nn:Lambda]]
[[nds:Lambda]]
[[pl:Lambda]]
[[pt:Λ]]
[[ru:Лямбда (буква)]]
[[simple:Lambda]]
[[sk:Lambda]]
[[sl:Lambda]]
[[sh:Lambda]]
[[fi:Lambda]]
[[sv:Lambda]]
[[th:แลมบ์ดา]]
[[tr:Λ]]
[[uk:Лямбда (літера)]]
[[zh:Λ]]