Segmented Germanium Detectors for High Resolution Gamma-Ray Imaging

The DOE Medical Sciences program supports advanced instrumentation for radionuclide imaging, which can serve as the basis for improved SPECT imaging systems. Therefore, this project will develop and evaluate improved detectors for planar radionuclide imaging. Phase I will demonstrate enhanced, intrinsic detector-imaging properties over a small area of a large detector. In Phase II, the entire detector will be instrumented and used for imaging studies, and a second-generation, prototype detector system will produced. The detectors will represent an order of magnitude improvement in early diagnostic capability. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The detectors should find an immediate market with biological researchers performing research in small-animal imaging and possibly in limited human imaging. Eventually, when the detectors are made large enough for clinical applications, they would contribute to a positive impact on health, longevity, and quality of life. These imaging systems also should have applications in nuclear physics, astrophysics, rare-particle detection, nuclear nonproliferation, and homeland security.