Device for the detection of gamma rays based on segmented metascintillator block detectors

Abstract

A device for the detection of gamma rays to be used primarily in a PET scanner is based on a scintillator heterostructure combining the high stopping power of scintillators commonly used in PET scanners (such as L(Y)SO, BGO, etc.) and fast scintillators based on polymers loaded with fast emitting dyes or nanocrystals, or thin layers of nanocrystals or multiple quantum well structures. While the metascintillator block is read out in the monolithic or semi-monolithic arrangement, the fast scintillator is segmented so that it is read out by less photodetectors. The particular arrangement of this detector module allows combining all the important features of a high-performance Time-of-Flight PET (TOFPET) detector module, i.e. a high photoelectric detection efficiency for the gamma rays, a precise 3D information (including the depth of interaction DOI) of the gamma ray conversion in the module, good energy resolution and superior timing resolution.