A Novel, High Resolution PET Detector

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a powerful imaging technique with a potential to quantify the rates of biological processes in vivo. However, the performance of PET systems is limited by presently available detector technology. Next generation gamma-ray detectors will be based on bright, fast scintillators that provide excellent energy and timing resolution. Therefore, this project will investigate a new class of scintillation materials that can be manufactured using a low cost fabrication process. The approach involves creating crystalline layers of new scintillators, leading to PET modules that can provide high energy and high resolution. Phase I will demonstrate the feasibility of producing high performance crystalline layers of new scintillators. Full detector modules will be built and evaluated in Phase II. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: Over and above use in medical imaging, the new scintillators should be commercially applicable to non-destructive evaluation, X-ray instrumentation, gamma-ray spectroscopy, oil exploration, and materials analysis. They also should be useful in particle and space physics experiments.