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I did not find any article about it, Paschen's law works in a vacuum? (1e-6 Torr)? Or is the electric spark between two metals governed by the emission of the field effect of electrons?

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  • $\begingroup$ Ultimately, yes, vacuum breakdown prevails. $\endgroup$
    – Jon Custer
    Commented Jun 26, 2021 at 14:33
  • $\begingroup$ @Jon Custer what is it that breaks down? $\endgroup$
    – Bob D
    Commented Jun 26, 2021 at 14:39
  • $\begingroup$ Electron and/or ion emission from surfaces. $\endgroup$
    – Jon Custer
    Commented Jun 26, 2021 at 14:40
  • $\begingroup$ @JonCuster That's not a breakdown of the insulating medium between the electrodes. A vacuum is not insulation $\endgroup$
    – Bob D
    Commented Jun 26, 2021 at 14:51
  • $\begingroup$ Actually, a vacuum with clean smooth surfaces is a very good insulator. To break down you need to get charged. With few gas molecules you need to get them from the surfaces. Roughness and absorbed species end up being a limit. Getting to ~100kv/cm isn’t too hard. $\endgroup$
    – Jon Custer
    Commented Jun 26, 2021 at 15:19

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