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The '''plasma parameter''' is a [[dimensionless quantity|dimensionless number]], denoted by capital Lambda, Λ. The plasma parameter is usually interpreted to be the argument of the Coulomb logarithm, which is the ratio of the maximum impact parameter to the classical distance of closest approach in [[Coulomb collision|Coulomb scattering]]. In this case, the plasma parameter is given by:<ref>Chen, F.F., Introduction to Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion, (Springer, New York, 2006)</ref>
<math display="block">\Lambda = 4\pi
where
* ''n''<sub>e</sub> is the [[number density]] of electrons,
* λ<sub>D</sub> is the [[Debye length]].
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An alternative definition of this parameter is given by the average number of electrons in a [[plasma (physics)|plasma]] contained within a [[Debye sphere]] (a sphere of radius the [[Debye length]]). This definition of the plasma parameter is more frequently (and appropriately) called the Debye number, and is denoted <math>N_\text{D}</math>. In this context, the plasma parameter is defined as
<math display="block">N_\text{D} = \frac{4\pi}{3}
Since these two definitions differ only by a factor of three, they are frequently used interchangeably.
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