Collection of scintillation light from small BGO crystals
- Univ. of California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA (United States)
The authors propose to develop a high resolution positron emission tomography (PET) detector designed for animal imaging. The detector consists of a 2-D array of small bismuth germanate (BGO) crystals coupled via optical fibers to a multi-channel photomultiplier tube (MC-PMT). Though this approach offers several advantages over the conventional BGO block design, it does require that a sufficient number of scintillation photons be transported from the crystal, down the fiber and into the PMT. In this study the authors use simulations and experimental data to determine how to maximize the signal reaching the PMT. This involves investigating factors such as crystal geometry, crystal surface treatment, the use of reflectors, choice of optical fiber, coupling of crystals to the optical fiber and optical fiber properties. Their results indicate that using 2 x 2 x 10 mm BGO crystals coupled to 30 cm of clad optical fiber, roughly 50 photoelectrons are produced at the PMT photocathode for a 511 keV interaction. This is sufficient to clearly visualize the photopeak and provide adequate timing resolution for PET. Based on these encouraging results, a prototype detector will now be constructed.
- OSTI ID:
- 148048
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-941061-; ISSN 0018-9499; TRN: 96:005776
- Journal Information:
- IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, Vol. 42, Issue 4Pt1; Conference: Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) nuclear science symposium and medical imaging conference, Norfolk, VA (United States), 30 Oct - 5 Nov 1994; Other Information: PBD: Aug 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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