Sub-100 ps coincidence time resolution for positron emission tomography with LSO:Ce codoped with Ca

Phys Med Biol. 2015 Jun 21;60(12):4635-49. doi: 10.1088/0031-9155/60/12/4635. Epub 2015 May 28.

Abstract

The coincidence time resolution (CTR) becomes a key parameter of 511 keV gamma detection in time of flight positron emission tomography (TOF-PET). This is because additional information obtained through timing leads to a better noise suppression and therefore a better signal to noise ratio in the reconstructed image. In this paper we present the results of CTR measurements on two different SiPM technologies from FBK coupled to LSO:Ce codoped 0.4%Ca crystals. We compare the measurements performed at two separate test setups, i.e. at CERN and at FBK, showing that the obtained results agree within a few percent. We achieve a best CTR value of 85 ± 4 ps FWHM for 2 × 2 × 3 mm(3) LSO:Ce codoped 0.4%Ca crystals, thus breaking the 100 ps barrier with scintillators similar to LSO:Ce or LYSO:Ce. We also demonstrate that a CTR of 140 ± 5 ps can be achieved for longer 2 × 2 × 20 mm(3) crystals, which can readily be implemented in the current generation PET systems to achieve the desired increase in the signal to noise ratio.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calcium / chemistry*
  • Calcium / radiation effects
  • Cerium / chemistry*
  • Cerium / radiation effects
  • Gamma Cameras
  • Image Enhancement
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Lutetium / chemistry*
  • Lutetium / radiation effects
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / instrumentation*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*
  • Scintillation Counting / instrumentation*
  • Signal-To-Noise Ratio
  • Silicates / chemistry*
  • Silicates / radiation effects
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Silicates
  • lutetium orthosilicate
  • Cerium
  • Lutetium
  • Calcium