Nu (ν) in LaTeX
In LaTeX maths mode, \nu produces the lowercase Greek letter nu (ν). Uppercase Nu is identical to a Latin capital N, so there is no \Nu command.
LaTeX command
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Nu, \nu, appears widely in physics and statistics. It is the standard symbol for frequency in the relation E = h\nu, for Poisson's ratio in elasticity, for kinematic viscosity in fluid mechanics, and for the number of degrees of freedom in the t and chi-squared distributions. In particle physics \nu denotes the neutrino.
A frequent source of confusion is that \nu (ν) closely resembles a lowercase Latin v. When both appear in one expression, make the distinction clear in the surrounding text, or choose an upright \upnu (via upgreek) or a different variable. Nu is maths-mode only and italic by default.
There is no uppercase command, since the capital Greek Nu is drawn as a Roman N; type N, or \mathrm{N} for an upright roman capital. In subscripts and superscripts nu behaves like any symbol, for example the neutrino flavours \nu_e, \nu_\mu and \nu_\tau.
Other forms
\nulowercase nuExamples
$\nu$lowercase nu inline
$E = h\nu$photon energy from frequency
$t_\nu$a t-distribution with nu degrees of freedom
$\nu_e, \nu_\mu, \nu_\tau$the three neutrino flavours
Tips and common mistakes
\nu(ν) is easily mistaken for a Latin v; avoid using both as variables in the same expression.- There is no
\Nu; uppercase Greek Nu is a Latin N, so type N. \nuis maths-mode only; wrap it in .- For an upright nu use
\upnufrom the upgreek package in a document. - In subscripts nu works like any symbol, for example
\nu_\mu for the muon neutrino.
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How do I tell nu apart from v in LaTeX?
\nu (ν) and a Latin v render very similarly. Avoid pairing them; if you must, name the letter in words, or use an upright \upnu for one of them.
Is there a capital nu command?
No. Uppercase Greek Nu is identical to the Latin N, so LaTeX has no \Nu; type N, or \mathrm{N} for upright.
What is nu used for in statistics?
Nu (ν) usually denotes the degrees of freedom of a distribution, as in a t-distribution written t_\nu or a chi-squared with ν degrees of freedom.