Experimental basis of a common physical mechanism for the concentric and non-concentric multiple double layers in plasma

The concentric and non-concentric multiple double layers were intensively investigated in plasma in the last years because of its potential applications in optoelectronics and nano-technologies. Here we report on experimental results on multiple double layers, concentric as well as non-concentric, that emphasize that a common physical mechanism can be at the origin of the appearance and dynamics of both types of structures. Thus, our results prove that the electron-neutral impact excitations and ionizations reactions are at the basis of its emergence and dynamics in plasma. Also, in physical conditions far from the structures equilibrium, both types of multiple double layers evolve towards the chaos after a similar scenario.