Mechanism of electrical breakdown of gases at very low pressure and interelectrode gap values

The electrical breakdown mechanism of gases at very low pressures (from 10/sup -4/ to 10/sup 5/ Pa) and interelectrode gap values (from 0.1 to 1 mm) is considered. Comparing experimental results and theoretical analysis, the boundaries between areas of different breakdown mechanisms are established. The existence of edge breakdown, which was previously erroneously interpreted by the anomalous Paschen's effect, is explained and proved. The avalanche hypothesis of vacuum breakdown is experimentally proved.>