Measurements, quantities and units Optics (L), a non-SI unit of luminance (usually of the luminance of a surface that scatters light), used mainly in the USA. Named after the German scientist J. Lambert. 1 L = 3.18*103 cd/m2 = 0.318 stilb = 104 apostilb. Encyclopedia by letter A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z