Gaseous discharge plasma underpins the development of next-generation power systems and high energy density physics

which is of strategic importance for clean energy and advanced technology applications. This review focuses on the scientific continuity and technological evolution of switching arcs and pulsed discharge plasmas

highlighting recent theoretical advances and emerging applications. On one hand

driven by the global need to replace SF6

notable progress has been made in eco-friendly gases such as C4F7N. On the other hand

the study of arc plasmas

characterized by high energy flux and rapid transients

has expanded into pulsed discharge regimes

yielding breakthroughs across interdisciplinary fields. Applications

such as LIBS for nuclear and shale oil detection

underwater pulsed discharge for energy conversion

and X-ray flash imaging for transient process diagnostics

have seen early industrial adoption. Future efforts should focus on intelligent arc control

multiphysics simulations

and transient diagnostics under extreme conditions to enable broader use in different fields including advanced power equipment and energies.