| lambda | |
|---|---|
| Unit system | Non-SI metric unit |
| Unit of | Volume |
| Symbol | λ |
| Conversions | |
| 1 λin ... | ... is equal to ... |
| SI base units | 10−9 m3 |
| Units accepted for use with SI | 1 μL |
Lambda (written λ, in lowercase) is a non-SI unit ofvolume equal to 10−9 m3, 1 cubic millimetre (mm3) or 1 microlitre (μL). Introduced by theBIPM in 1880,[1] the lambda has been used in chemistry[2] and in law for measuring volume, but its use is not recommended.[3]
This use of λ parallels the pre-SI use of μ on its own for amicrometre and γ for amicrogram.[4][5] Although the use of λ is deprecated, some clinical laboratories continue to use it.[6] The standard abbreviation μL for a microlitre has the disadvantage that it can be misread as mL (a unit 1000 times larger). In pharmaceutical use, no abbreviation for a microlitre is considered safe. The recommended practice is to write "microlitre" in full.[7]
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