In the opposed‐targets sputtering system (OTSS), plasma is focused in the space between opposed targets by magnetic and electric fields. Usually, since an equal potential is applied to the targets, the discharge is in the balanced potential mode. In this study, unbalanced potential (UP) modes of discharge characteristics are investigated for the OTSS. Discharge characteristics strongly depend on the unbalanced voltage applied to the opposed targets. UP is seen to promote strong ionization just as the plasma confinement field and other discharge parameters do.