Radial structure of a low-frequency atmospheric-pressure glow discharge in helium

The spatial structure of a low-frequency atmospheric-pressure glow discharge was studied experimentally. The radial current distribution and discharge light emission were simultaneously measured at different phases during the ac voltage cycle. The glow discharge is formed by a radially propagating ionization wave. We also observed discharge regimes with several current pulses per half cycle corresponding to the successive, spatially separated breakdowns. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.