Ultra-Fast, Bright Scintillators for PET

Scintillation detectors, consisting of inorganic scintillation crystals coupled to photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), are an important element of medical imaging applications such as positron emission tomography (PET). However, the performance of these systems is limited by the properties of the scintillation detectors available at present. This project will investigate a new scintillator material that has the potential to provide very fast response and excellent light yield for gamma events. The new scintillator also will provide high efficiency for gamma-ray detection. Phase I will demonstrate the feasibility of producing the new scintillator with fast response and high light output. Extensive characterization of the scintillator also is planned for Phase I. Further optimization of the scintillator, including scale-up and implementation, will be conducted in Phase II. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee The proposed detector technology should be very promising for medical imaging systems. It also should be applicable in nuclear and particle physics experiments, astronomy, diffraction, non-destructive studies, nuclear non-proliferation, and bore-hole logging