Time-resolved spectroscopic observation of surface flashover across an ice surface

Results of the first studies of arc on an ice surface by time-resolved spectral analysis with a good time and wavelength resolution have been obtained and are reported in this paper. Time-resolved spectra were recorded at different stages of arc propagation on an ice surface in order to obtain information on the occurring ionization processes. Moreover, the emission features of Hydrogen Balmer series H_¿ and H_ß were observed and found to be distinctly different from those of singly ionized species. The sodium-D lines, which result from the production of sodium ions from dissolution of NaCl in water, due to their low ionization energy were observed at high intensity level during the early stages of arc development.