The degree to which the calibration curve of a device conforms to
a straight line.
Lipids
Water-insoluble substances than can be extracted from cells by
nonpolar organic solvents.
Luminescence
defined as the mission of light from a substance in an
electronically excited state. Depending on whether the excited
state is singlet or triplet, the emission is called fluorescence
(less than one second decay) or phosphorescence (longer than 1
second decay). Depending on the source, molecules get the needed
extra energy from different types of luminescence are
distinguished: radioluminescence, photoluminescence (in the same
category are fluorescence and phosphorescence), chemiluminescence
and bioluminescence, electrochemiluminescence,
sonochemi-luminescence and thermoluminescence.
Magnetic field strength (designated by H) [A/m]
Magnetic field produced by a current, independent of the presence
of magnetic material. The units of H are ampere-turns per meter,
or just amperes per meter.
Magnetic flux density or magnetic induction (designated by B)
The magnetic field produced in a substance by an external magnetic
field. The units of B are tesla (T). One tesla is the magnetic
flux density given by a magnetic flux of 1 weber per square
meter. One weber is a magnetic flux that, linking a circuit of 1
turn, would produce in it an electromotive force of 1 volt if it
were reduced to zero at a uniform rate in 1 second. Both B and H
are field vectors. One henry (H) is the inductance of a closed
circuit in which an electromotive force of 1 volt is produced when
the electric current in the circuit varies uniformly at the rate
of 1 ampere per second. The magnetic field strength and flux
density are related according to: B = µH, where µ is
the permeability (see under permeability).
Magnetic susceptibility (χm)
The proportionality constant between the magnetization M (see
under"magnetization") and the magnetic field strength H. The
magnetic susceptibility is unitless.
Magnetization (M)
The total magnetic moment per unit volume of material. Also, a
measure of the contribution to the magnetic flux by some material
within an H field. The magnitude of M is proportional to the
applied field as: M = χm × H, with
χm the magnetic susceptibility.
Magnetostrictive material
A material that changes dimension in the presence of a magnetic
field or generates a magnetic field when mechanically deformed.
Martensite
A metastable iron phase supersaturated in carbon that is the
product of a diffusionless (athermal) transformation from
austenite.
Mask
Pattern on glass, like a photographic negative, for producing
integrated-circuit elements on semiconductor wafer.