The effect of low temperature on the role played by electrodes in vacuum breakdown

Electrical discharge in a vacuum is discussed, showing that the electrical breakdown requires the creation of plasma in the interelectrode space. Both electrodes are a source of plasma, but the more important dense plasma is created on the anode. In a system with an insulating spacer, the insulator materials is the source of plasma. Plasma creation from a cooled anode needs more energy. Similarly, cooling of the parts of the insulator where the plasma is created increases the electrical strength