Characterization of oscillations of DC atmospheric pressure glow discharge parameters caused by anode spots blinking

The experimental results from investigations of oscillations in such parameters as discharge current, interelectrode voltage, local light intensity and potential due to anode spots blinkings are presented. With use of elements of chaos theory, it was shown that the noise component is present in these oscillations despite the high harmonicity of current oscillations. It was identified that additions of argon and nitrogen admixtures into helium flow influence on both the anode spots pattern and the noise properties of discharge current oscillations. Thus, these results demonstrate a mechanism, which allows controlling chaos state in a gas discharge. The effect of the discharge current fluctuations on the broadening of Stark components of helium line in the cathode fall layer is shown as well.