All quantities are in SI units except [[temperature]] expressed in eV and ion mass expressed in units of the [[proton]] mass <math>\mu = m_i/m_p</math>; ''Z'' is charge state; ''k'' is [[Boltzmann's constant]]; ''K'' is wavelength; γ is the [[adiabatic index]]; ln Λ is the [[Coulomb logarithm]].
All quantities are in Gaussian (cgs) units except [[temperature]] expressed in eV and ion mass expressed in units of the [[proton]] mass <math>\mu = m_i/m_p</math>; ''Z'' is charge state; ''k'' is [[Boltzmann's constant]]; ''K'' is wavelength; γ is the [[adiabatic index]]; ln Λ is the [[Coulomb logarithm]].
Plasma parameters define various characteristics of a plasma, an electrically conductive collection of charged particles that responds collectively to electromagnetic forces. Plasma typically takes the form of neutral gas-like clouds or charged ion beams, but may also include dust and grains. [1] The behaviour of such particle systems can be studied statistically. [2]
classical distance of closest approach, the closest that two particles with the elementary charge come to each other if they approach head-on and each have a velocity typical of the temperature, ignoring quantum-mechanical effects:
electron gyroradius, the radius of the circular motion of an electron in the plane perpendicular to the magnetic field:
ion gyroradius, the radius of the circular motion of an ion in the plane perpendicular to the magnetic field:
plasma skin depth, the depth in a plasma to which electromagnetic radiation can penetrate:
Debye length, the scale over which electric fields are screened out by a redistribution of the electrons:
ion sound velocity, the speed of the longitudinal waves resulting from the mass of the ions and the pressure of the electrons:
Alfvén velocity, the speed of the waves resulting from the mass of the ions and the restoring force of the magnetic field:
Dimensionless
A 'sun in a test tube'. The Farnsworth-Hirsch Fusor during operation in so called "star mode" characterized by "rays" of glowing plasma which appear to emanate from the gaps in the inner grid.