System and method for power-efficient multiplexing for high resolution time-of-flight positron emission tomography modules with intercrystal light sharing

Abstract

A multiplexing scheme for both energy and timing information is provided for a particle detection system having an optical sensor array with multiple optical sensors. Each optical sensor is associated with multiple scintillator modules. The system has a segmented prismatoid light guide comprising multiple prismatoid segments. Each segment is associated with multiple optical sensors, where the optical sensors are adjacent. One end each scintillator module is in contact with its associated optical sensor and the other is in contact with its associated segment. Multiple optical sensors may be connected to an energy readout channel, respectively, such that optical sensors associated with the same segments are not connected to the same energy readout channel. Each energy readout channel has at least two timestamps associated therewith.