Performance characteristics of a compact position-sensitive LSO detector module

IEEE Trans Med Imaging. 1998 Dec;17(6):967-78. doi: 10.1109/42.746629.

Abstract

We assembled a compact detector module comprised of an array of small, individual crystals of lutetium oxyorthosilicate:Ce (LSO) coupled directly to a miniature, metal-can, position-sensitive photomultiplier tube (PSPMT). We exposed this module to sources of 511-keV annihilation radiation and beams of 30- and 140-keV photons and measured spatial linearity; spatial variations in module gain, energy resolution, and event positioning; coincidence timing; the accuracy and sensitivity of identifying the crystal-of-first-interaction at 511 keV; and the effects of intercrystal scatter and LSO background radioactivity. The results suggest that this scintillator/phototube combination should be highly effective in the coincidence mode and can be used, with some limitations, to image relatively low-energy single photon emitters. Photons that are completely absorbed on their first interaction at 511 keV are positioned by the module at the center of a crystal. Intercrystal scatter events, even those that lead to total absorption of the incident photon, are placed by the module in a regular "connect-the-dot" pattern that joins crystal centers. As a result, the accuracy of event positioning can be made to exceed 90%, though at significantly reduced sensitivity, by retaining only events that occur within small regions-of-interest around each crystal center and rejecting events that occur outside these regions in the connect-the-dot pattern.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
  • Electrons
  • Equipment Design
  • Fluorine Radioisotopes
  • Lutetium* / radiation effects
  • Normal Distribution
  • Photons
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed / instrumentation*
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed / methods
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Fluorine Radioisotopes
  • Lutetium