Positive corona discharges in SF/sub 6/

This paper is a continuation of series of investigations carried out into the various aspects of corona discharges using Monte Carlo simulation techniques. Positive corona discharges are described in SF/sub 6/ under three voltage levels in a 0.5 cm gap between a hyperboloidal needle and a plane electrode at a gas number density of N=2.12/spl times/10/sup 18/ cm/sup -3/. The current which is in the form of a burst of pulses is found to increase with increasing voltage. Detailed structure of avalanches are presented from which essential differences between positive and negative corona with regard to total field distribution, propagation of successive avalanches and ion distribution are discerned.