DC atmospheric pressure glow microdischarges in the current range from microamps up to amperes

Electrical and spectroscopic results of comprehensive investigations of microdischarges in atmospheric pressure helium, argon, nitrogen and air at gaps less than 1 mm and over a large current range from microamperes up to amperes are presented. At distance shorter than 1 mm, electrodes influence the normal glow discharge structure and their electrical and optical parameters. Two oscillation discharge regimes were revealed in discharge current range comparable or less than the low-current limit of normal glow discharge