L glossary entries

Laminar flow is a fluid-flow regime in which motion occurs in smooth layers with limited cross-stream mixing.

The Laplace transform converts a time-domain function into a complex-frequency-domain representation, often simplifying differential equations into algebraic equations.

A laser diode is a semiconductor diode that emits coherent light when carrier recombination is amplified by optical feedback and stimulated emission.

Latency is the time delay between an input, request, event, or command and the corresponding response or observable effect.

Leakage current is unintended current that flows through insulating materials, semiconductor junctions, protective paths, or parasitic impedances.

Lift coefficient is a dimensionless measure of lift force normalized by dynamic pressure and reference area.

Linear programming is optimization of a linear objective function over a feasible region defined by linear constraints.

Liquid cooling is a thermal management method that removes heat by transferring it into a circulating or contained liquid.

A load factor is a multiplier applied to a nominal or characteristic load to produce a design load for strength, stability, or reliability checks.

A logic gate is a digital circuit that performs a Boolean operation such as AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR, or XNOR.

Loss factor is a dimensionless damping metric that relates energy dissipated per cycle to energy stored in a material or structure.

A low-pass filter passes signal components below a cutoff frequency and attenuates components above that frequency.