A new type of single filament was observed in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) system for the first time. It was formed with a larger discharge gap (d=3.8 mm) and a smaller discharge area (S=1 cm×1 cm) in an air/argon gas mixture. Compared with the single filament observed by other experimental groups, the new type of single filament is composed of volume discharge (VD) and surface discharge (SD). In addition, the single filament has excellent discharge stability and sustainability. In order to study more about the discharge characteristic of the new type of single filament in a half-cycle of the applied voltage and the plasma state in different positions of the discharge column in the side view of the new type of single filament, both a high speed framing camera (HSFC) and a spectrograph were used in the experiment. The instantaneous images of end and side view of the new type of single filament were taken by the HSFC with different exposure time, and the discharge characteristic of the new type of single filament in a half-cycle of the applied voltage was compared with that of glow discharge. The spectral lines of Ar Ⅰ 763.26 nm (2P6→1S5) and Ar Ⅰ 772.13 nm (2P2→1S3) in different positions of the discharge column of the new type of single filament were measured by using optical emission spectra, and chosen to estimate the corresponding electron excitation temperature by the relative intensity ratio method. It was found that the new type of single filament is composed of VD and SD, and SD produces a dendritic discharge around VD. The discharge characteristic of the new type of single filament in a half-cycle of the applied voltage is similar to that of glow discharge, and a funnel-shaped discharge emerges at the instantaneous cathode. The spectral line intensity and the corresponding electron excitation temperature all decrease with the distance away from the electrodes, indicating that the plasma state in different positions of the discharge column in the side view of the new type of single filament is different.