Performance evaluation of MACACO: a multilayer Compton camera.

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Instrumentation and Methods
• Medical Physics
• Particle Therapy

Background:

• Compton imaging devices are valuable tools with diverse applications.
• Accurate proton range verification is critical for effective hadron therapy.
• Existing imaging techniques may have limitations in precision for this application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel Compton camera prototype for proton range verification.
• To assess the performance of the prototype using laboratory tests and simulations.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of using lanthanum bromide crystals and silicon photomultipliers for this application.

Main Methods:

• Development of a Compton camera prototype with two or three detector layers.
• Utilized monolithic lanthanum bromide ([Formula: see text]) crystals coupled to silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs).
• Performed laboratory tests with sodium-22 ([Formula: see text]Na) and yttrium-90 ([Formula: see text]Y) radioactive sources.
• Conducted simulation studies to further evaluate performance.

Main Results:

• Successfully reconstructed images of [Formula: see text]Na and [Formula: see text]Y radioactive sources.
• Achieved a full width half maximum (FWHM) below 4 mm for a [Formula: see text]Na source at 5 cm distance.
• Demonstrated the capability of the prototype to provide high-resolution imaging.

Conclusions:

• The developed Compton camera prototype is effective for imaging radioactive sources.
• The prototype shows significant potential for precise proton range verification in hadron therapy.
• The combination of lanthanum bromide crystals and SiPMs offers a promising approach for advanced medical imaging applications.