Monte Carlo calculations of the optical coupling between bismuth germanate crystals and photomultiplier tubes
The high density and atomic number of bismuth germanate (Bi/sub 4/Ge/sub 3/O/sub 12/ or BGO) make it a very useful detector for positron emission tomography. Modern tomograph designs use large numbers of small, closely-packed crystals for high spatial resolution and high sensitivity. However, the low light output, the high refractive index (n=2.15), and the need for accurate timing make it important to optimize the transfer of light to the photomultiplier tube (PMT). We describe the results of a Monte Carlo computer program developed to study the effect of crystal shape, reflector type, and the refractive index of the PMT window on coupling efficiency. The program simulates total internal, external, and Fresnel reflection as well as internal absorption and scattering by bubbles.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 5253581
- Report Number(s):
- LBL-13486; CONF-811012-51; ON: DE82004845; TRN: 82-016367
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: IEEE symposium on nuclear science, San Francisco, CA, USA, 21 Oct 1981
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
BISMUTH COMPOUNDS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
GERMANATES
PHOTOMULTIPLIERS
PERFORMANCE
TOMOGRAPHY
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
GERMANIUM COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOTOTUBES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
440101* - Radiation Instrumentation- General Detectors or Monitors & Radiometric Instruments
360603 - Materials- Properties