  General scenarios of transitions between different spot patterns on
electrodes of dc gas discharges and their relation to bifurcations of
steady-state solutions are analyzed. In the case of cathodes of arc discharges,
it is shown that any transition between different modes of current transfer is
related to a bifurcation of steady-state solutions. In particular, transitions
between diffuse and spot modes on axially symmetric cathodes, frequently
observed in the experiment, represent an indication of the presence of
pitchfork or fold bifurcations of steady-state solutions. Experimental
observations of transitions on cathodes of dc glow microdischarges are analyzed
and those potentially related to bifurcations of steady-state solutions are
identified. The relevant bifurcations are investigated numerically and the
computed patterns are found to conform to those observed in the course of the
corresponding transitions in the experiment.
