Study of spatial and temporal evolution of Ar and F atoms in SF₆/Ar microsecond pulsed discharge by optical emission spectroscopy

The study of sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) discharge is vital for its application in gas-insulated equipment. Direct current partial discharge (PD) may cause SF₆ decomposition, and the decomposed products of SF₆, such as F atoms, play a dominant role in the breakdown of insulation systems. In this study, the PD caused by metal protrusion defects is simulated by a needle-plate electrode using pulsed high voltage in SF₆/Ar mixtures. The spatial and temporal characteristics of SF6/Ar plasma are analyzed by measuring the emission spectra of F and Ar atoms, which are important for understanding the characteristics of PD. The spatial resolved results show that both F and Ar atom spectral intensities increase first from the plate anode to the needle and then decrease under the conditions of a background pressure of 400 Pa, peak voltage of −1000 V, frequency of 2 kHz, pulse width of 60 μs, and electrode gap of 5–9 mm. However, the distribution characteristics of F and Ar are significantly different. The temporal distribution results show that the spectral intensity of Ar decreases first and then increases slowly, while the spectral intensity of F increases slowly for the duration of the pulsed discharge at the electrode gap of 5 mm and the pulse width of 40–80 μs.