Initial studies of a new detector design for ultra-high resolution positron emission tomography

摘要: We are developing a novel detector concept for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) that will facilitate ultrahigh spatial resolution, high sensitivity and optimal light collection efficiency. Spatial resolution in PCT can be improved by using finer scintillation crystal array elements. Several groups arrays with <2 mm pixels ultra-high small animal PET systems. The challenge crystals is extracting sufficient to maintain detection signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), especially if the kept relatively long good Assuming resulting signals sufficiently above noise, may resolved flood histogram. However, reduced SNR means lower count since more pulses now below given threshold, loss energy which result image contrast degradation. propose concepts use new avalanche photodiode (APD) readout configurations promote very These exploit compactness of semiconductor photodetector tightly packed schemes unavailable PMTs. proposed have potential significantly improve PET. With I wide LSO coupled prototype APD we obtained 13.7% at 511 keV nonoptimized measurement. Flood irradiation measurements 1 thick sheet indicate /spl les/1 intrinsic available design linearity out edge.