A solid-state spark chamber for detection of ionizing radiation

•Ionizing radiation detection using a solid-state p–n–p–n silicon structure.•The detection scheme relies on a capacitive load to provide self-switching.•Detection sensitivity and dark count can be controlled by external bias.•Particle detection was achieved using an off-the-shelf silicon controlled switch.

In this article we report on an ionizing radiation detector based on a silicon controlled switch (SCS). An SCS connected to an RC load was exposed to ionizing radiation resulting in the generation of a large voltage pulse for each ionization event. Alpha particles from an Am-241 source were detected with near 100% efficiency. Beta particles from a Cs-137 source were detected using a PIN diode to increase the interaction volume. The results indicate the potential for SCS detection of ionizing radiation without the use of the additional signal processing electronics employed in conventional solid-state detectors.