The effect of oxide surface layers on the breakdown voltage in metal-vacuum-metal sandwiches

Correlations are explored between the observed breakdown voltages in metal-vacuum-sandwiches and the properties of the metallic electrodes which are believed to be covered by oxide layers. A linear relationship is indicated between the work function of the electrode and the breakdown voltage. This relationship may prove useful in obtaining more accurate estimates for the breakdown voltage of the vacuum dielectric itself, when it is sandwiched between a wide variety of electrode materials.