Optical detection of corona discharges in SF6, CF4, and SO2 under dc and 50-Hz ac voltages

The emission spectra resulting from corona discharges generated under dc and 50‐Hz ac voltages in SF6, N2, SOF2, SO2F2, S2F10, CF4, SO2, and C2F3Cl3, and mixtures of these gases with SF6 were investigated in the 220–900‐nm wavelength range for gas pressures between 30 and 400 kPa. Characteristic emissions were ruled out only for N2, SF6, CF4, SO2, and C2F3Cl3. We also observed that small concentrations of N2, CF4, or SO2 can be detected in SF6 from the analysis of light emitted between 250 and 420 nm.