Performance of a depth encoding PET detector module using light sharing and single-ended readout with SiPMs.

Area of Science:

• Nuclear instrumentation
• Medical imaging physics
• Detector development

Background:

• High-performance Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanners require detectors with depth encoding, energy, and timing resolution.
• Developing cost-effective detector modules is essential for advancing whole-body and total-body PET systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and evaluate a cost-effective depth encoding detector module using a LYSO array.
• To assess the detector's capability for depth of interaction (DOI) measurement while maintaining energy and timing resolution.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an 8x8 LYSO array (3x3x20 mm^3 crystals) with specific optical coupling and reflector materials.
• Single-ended readout using an 8x8 Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) array with row and column summing circuits.
• Measurement of Depth of Interaction (DOI) based on light sharing and evaluation of energy and timing resolution.

Main Results:

• Clear crystal identification in the flood histogram.
• Achieved an average DOI resolution of 4.62 mm.
• Obtained an average timing resolution of 518 ps for E > 400 keV and an average energy resolution of 13.5%.

Conclusions:

• The developed detector module offers a cost-effective solution for depth encoding.
• This technology can be utilized for building future high-performance whole-body and total-body PET scanners.