Abstract
The intrinsic spatial resolution of the detector is an important aspect to reconstruct high quality nuclear medicine images. In order to realize a high spatial resolution, small pixelated Cerium doped Gd3Al2Ga3O12 (Ce:GAGG) scintillators-known for their high light output, high density and relatively fast decay time, were coupled to a digital silicon photomultiplier (dSiPM) for read out. This detector module consists of a 24×24 Ce:GAGG scintillator block of 0.4 mm×0.4mm ×5mm crystal elements and a 2 mm thick light guide made of acrylic resin. The digital silicon photomultiplier (dSiPM), DPC-3200-22-44, was used to acquire 2-D position histogram, energy resolution and coincidence timing resolution. The 2-dimensional position histogram of the Ce:GAGG block detector irradiated with 22Na gamma photons showed that most pixels were clearly resolved with an average peak-to-valley (P/V) ratio of 3.4. The average energy resolution of the Ce:GAGG block detector was 17.8%. At trigger scheme 1 (1st photon trigger), the coincidence timing resolution was 342 ± 7 ps FHWM when acquired in coincidence with a 2 mm×2mm×6mm LSO crystal (after skew correction). This study demonstrates that a pixelated Ce:GAGG block coupled with dSiPM provides good position performance and time resolution. We conclude that the highly pixelated Ce:GAGG detector module may be a good candidate for implementing ultrahigh resolution nuclear medicine systems and applications requiring good timing resolution.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 7636989 |
Pages (from-to) | 30-35 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | IEEE Transactions on Radiation and Plasma Medical Sciences |
Volume | 1 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2017 Jan |
Keywords
- Ce:GAGG
- digital silicon photomultiplier
- high resolution detector
- Scintillators
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
- Instrumentation
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging