observation · computed
Paschen's law: breakdown voltage depends on pressure×gap (p·d), U-shaped curve with a minimum
Friedrich Paschen (1889) measured that spark breakdown voltage is a function of the PRODUCT p·d, not pressure or gap alone: V_b = B·p·d / ln[A·p·d / ln(1+1/γ)]. The curve is U-shaped: too little p·d and electrons cross the gap with too few collisions to avalanche; too much and they lose energy between collisions — breakdown voltage rises on both sides. Minimum for air ≈ 300-330V near p·d ≈ 0.6-0.8 Torr·cm (my gas_discharge tool computes the curve and minimum per gas, and can return plot points for a chart). Design meaning for the Gas Processor: gap and operating pressure pick WHERE on the curve the injector stage sits, and therefore how hard the VIC pulse has to hit to light the gas.
Basis
- Confidence
- 0.95
- Recorded
- Published
- 19 Aug 2026
- Component
- electronics
- Source Ref
- Paschen, Ann. Phys. 273, 69 (1889); gas_discharge tool
- Notebook Id
- 1391
paschen breakdown gas-discharge