Readout network topology for positron emission tomography devices with time-of-flight

Abstract

An electronic readout network topology for positron emission tomography is able to provide Time of Flight for photodetectors arranged in matrix arrays made up of a plurality of silicon photomultipliers. Each photodetector has anode and cathode terminals. The readout network topology ensures suitable polarisation of the set of photodetectors and provides a reduction diagram by creating a single connection to extract a unique time reference signal that is accurate and synched up in phase to a detection event at any position of the photodetector matrix instead of connecting to each individual photodetector. A fast amplifier with low input impedance is electrically coupled to this time reference signal, creating a path of low impedance for the rapid transition signals, reducing the total parasitic capacitance of the parallel arrangement of detectors, and improving the time response of the detector block. Moreover, the readout electronics creates a smaller number of positioning signals.