Features of the distribution of parameters in a short glow discharge plasma with a flat and hollow cathode

Probe measurements of short discharges in helium without a positive column have been performed with hollow and flat cathodes. It has been established that at low pressures when the discharge consists only of a cathode layer and negative glow plasma, the anode is dark and the anode voltage drop is negative. As pressure increases and a region of Faraday dark space forms, a luminous area appears on the anode which increases as the positive discharge column forms, and the anode voltage drop becomes positive.