Different studies have been developed in order to understand the dynamics and processes involved in the particle emission from plasma focus devices operating in the kilo-joule range. The use of chemical compound gasses and noble gas mixtures has proven to produce different charged particles, as well as increase the neutron yield from deuterium plasma discharges. Nevertheless, the processes and parameters involved in these discharges are not fully understood. In this work we will present results of visible spectroscopy and "time-of-flight" observations of the different ion species and ionization levels obtained in a 2kJ plasma focus device, when using deuterium or hydrogen with small percentage impurities.