We discuss the experimental results of a method for generation of nonthermal plasma at atmospheric pressure. The device uses two chambers separated by a dielectric. A low-pressure chamber produces UV emission, which is coupled to the atmospheric pressure discharge. The electrical and optical characteristics of this device are discussed. Results show that the dual-chamber discharge is more uniform compared to conventional dielectric-barrier discharges. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)04540-X].