  Axial emission profiles in a parallel plate dc micro discharge (feedgas:
argon; discharge gap d=1mm; pressure p=10Torr) were studied by means of time
resolved imaging with a fast ICCD camera. Additionally, volt-ampere (V-A)
characteristics were recorded and Ar* metastable densities were measured by
tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS). Axial emission profiles in
the steady state regime are similar to corresponding profiles in standard size
discharges (d=1cm, p=1Torr). For some discharge conditions relaxation
oscillations are present when the micro discharge switches periodically between
low current Townsend-like mode and normal glow. At the same time the axial
emission profile shows transient behavior, starting with peak distribution at
the anode, which gradually moves towards the cathode during the normal glow.
The development of argon metastable densities highly correlates with the
oscillating discharge current. Gas temperatures in the low current
Townsend-like mode (T= 320-400K) and the high current glow mode (T=469-526K)
were determined by the broadening of the recorded spectral profiles as a
function of the discharge current.

Plasma Physics