Effect of scatter radiation on the planar source sensitivity of a collimated detector

A theoretical model is proposed to describe the effect of a scattering medium on the plane-source sensitivity of a collimated detector. According to this model the scatter fraction fs(z) of the system is a linear function of the thickness z of the scattering medium and for any collimator geometry depends on the photopeak energy and the window settings as well as on the geometrical and physical characteristics of the scintillation detector. To calculate the parameters of the linear function fs(z), physical constants from the literature were used. The validity of the model was verified by experimental data. The computed parameters were found to differ slightly from the experimental ones and the differences were attributed to several approximations made during the theoretical analysis. The approach used for the determination of these parameters has contributed to a better understanding of the physical meaning of the factors affecting the generation of the scattered radiation and its detection by scintigraphic imaging systems.