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A study on a nonlinear least-squares fitting method for 3D positioning of gamma rays based on monolithic crystal and SiPM array

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Abstract

Purpose

In order to improve imaging quality of position sensitive gamma detectors, many research groups especially those interested in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging have done many efforts to develop detecting method with depth of interaction (DOI) capability. A detector with a monolithic lutetium yttrium silicate (LYSO) crystal and an silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) array is constructed by our group for DOI detecting research.

Methods

3D interaction coordinates of gamma rays are estimated by a nonlinear least-squares fitting method based on an analytical model in which photon number collected by an SiPM pixel is related to solid angle seen from gamma interaction point and boundary reflection. We have assessed the gamma positioning performance of our detector by projecting a line-like 137Cs gamma beam on top and side surface of the crystal. Virtual source and solid angle factors in the analytical model have also been tested for the best performance both in simulations and experiments.

Results

Good gamma positioning images are demonstrated with both X–Y and DOI positioning resolutions close to 2 mm full width at half maximum (FWHM).

Conclusion

Comparing to former DOI methods, the performance of our DOI detector can be called competitive in positioning resolution, construction cost and difficulty of assembling.

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source b, gamma beam along Y-axis at X = − 3 (left), X = 0 (middle) and X = 3 (right)

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source b, gamma beam along Y-axis at X = − 3 (left), X = 0 (middle) and X = 3 (right)

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source b, gamma beam along X-axis at Y = − 3 (left), Y = 0 (middle) and Y = 3 (right)

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source b, gamma beam along X-axis at Y = − 3 (left), Y = 0 (middle) and Y = 3 (right)

Fig. 10

source: a gamma beam along X-axis at Y = − 3 (left), Y = 0 (middle) and Y = 3 (right); b gamma beam along Y-axis at X = − 3 (left), X = 0 (middle) and X = 3 (right)

Fig. 11

source: a X profiles with gamma beam along Y-axis at X = − 3 (left), X = 0 (middle) and X = 3 (right); b Y profiles with gamma beam along X-axis (bottom) at Y = − 3 (left), Y = 0 (middle) and Y = 3 (right)

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Notes

  1. AdvanSiD, Trento, Italy, https://advansid.com.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported in part by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.11205108, No.11475121), Excellent Youth Found of Sichuan University (No.2016SCU04A13) and China Scholarship Council.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sichuan Management and Monitoring Center Station of Radioactive Environment, Chengdu, 611139, Sichuan province, China

    Hongfan Zhang, Su Xu, Yijia Shu, Bing Jiang & Lang Liu

  2. Key Laboratory of Radiation Physics and Technology, College of Physics, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, Sichuan province, China

    Rong Zhou

  3. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Biophysics, Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, NY, 14214, USA

    Rutao Yao

  4. Key Laboratory of Radiation Physics and Technology, Department of Nuclear Engineering and Technology, College of Physical Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, Sichuan province, China

    Chaowen Yang

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  1. Hongfan Zhang
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Correspondence to Rong Zhou.

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Zhang, H., Zhou, R., Yao, R. et al. A study on a nonlinear least-squares fitting method for 3D positioning of gamma rays based on monolithic crystal and SiPM array. Radiat Detect Technol Methods 6, 375–390 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41605-022-00333-5

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