Room Temperature Photosensors for Pet

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) has now reached a degree of maturity where several of itsearly promises have been fulfilled. PET is able to provide information on both structure and function ofdifferent parts of the brain. It is becoming an important fundamental tool for both clinical diagnosis andmedical research. Presently, PET performance is limited by the photosensors used. Future advancesin PET system technology can only come about by performing research to improve the capabilities ofthe gamma ray detectors. Early results with indium iodide (bandgap 2.01eV) as a photon sensor are veryencouraging and further research into this promising material has a high probability of producing a newdetector technology with better performance which could be the basis for a future generation of PETinstruments. Phase I will demonstrate the feasibility of using this semiconductor to make this approachwork.