Feasibility Study of a PET Detector with a Wavelength-Shifting Fiber Readout

We designed and evaluated the performance of a high-resolution large-area detector for positron emission tomography (PET) based on a crystal assembly readout using wavelength-shifting (WLS) fibers, offering a cost-effective alternative to the direct readout of monolithic crystals with photodetectors...

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Main Author: Anzori Sh. Georgadze
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Instruments
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2410-390X/9/1/2
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author Anzori Sh. Georgadze
author_facet Anzori Sh. Georgadze
author_sort Anzori Sh. Georgadze
collection DOAJ
description We designed and evaluated the performance of a high-resolution large-area detector for positron emission tomography (PET) based on a crystal assembly readout using wavelength-shifting (WLS) fibers, offering a cost-effective alternative to the direct readout of monolithic crystals with photodetectors. The considered detector geometries were made up of 4 × 4 assemblies of LuY<sub>2</sub>SiO<sub>5</sub>:Ce (LYSO) crystal scintillators, each with surface area of 50 × 50 mm<sup>2</sup> and thickness of 7 or 15 mm, which were optically coupled together using optical adhesive. The crystal assembly was coupled with square cross-sections of orthogonal wavelength-shifting (WLS) fibers placed on the top and bottom of the assembly. To evaluate the characteristics of the novel detector, we used GEANT4 to perform optical photon transport in the crystal assembly and WLS fibers. The simulation results show that best position resolution achieved was 1.6 ± 0.4 mm full width at half maximum (FWHM) and 4.2 ± 0.6 mm full width at tenth maximum (FWTM) for the crystal thickness of 7 mm and 1.7 ± 0.4 mm FWHM and 6.0 ± 0.6 mm FWTM for the crystal thickness of 15 mm. Compared with a direct photosensor readout, WLS fibers can drastically reduce the number of photosensors required while covering a larger sensitive detection area. In the proposed detector design, 2<i>N</i> photodetectors are used to cover the same image area instead of <i>N</i><sup>2</sup> with a direct readout. This design allows for the development of a compact detector with an expanded effective field of view and reduced cost.
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spelling doaj-art-032fe1ce049e410c8b7ddd36fd3e2d572025-08-20T02:42:34ZengMDPI AGInstruments2410-390X2025-02-0191210.3390/instruments9010002Feasibility Study of a PET Detector with a Wavelength-Shifting Fiber ReadoutAnzori Sh. Georgadze0Institute of Physics, Tartu University, W. Ostwaldi 1, 50411 Tartu, EstoniaWe designed and evaluated the performance of a high-resolution large-area detector for positron emission tomography (PET) based on a crystal assembly readout using wavelength-shifting (WLS) fibers, offering a cost-effective alternative to the direct readout of monolithic crystals with photodetectors. The considered detector geometries were made up of 4 × 4 assemblies of LuY<sub>2</sub>SiO<sub>5</sub>:Ce (LYSO) crystal scintillators, each with surface area of 50 × 50 mm<sup>2</sup> and thickness of 7 or 15 mm, which were optically coupled together using optical adhesive. The crystal assembly was coupled with square cross-sections of orthogonal wavelength-shifting (WLS) fibers placed on the top and bottom of the assembly. To evaluate the characteristics of the novel detector, we used GEANT4 to perform optical photon transport in the crystal assembly and WLS fibers. The simulation results show that best position resolution achieved was 1.6 ± 0.4 mm full width at half maximum (FWHM) and 4.2 ± 0.6 mm full width at tenth maximum (FWTM) for the crystal thickness of 7 mm and 1.7 ± 0.4 mm FWHM and 6.0 ± 0.6 mm FWTM for the crystal thickness of 15 mm. Compared with a direct photosensor readout, WLS fibers can drastically reduce the number of photosensors required while covering a larger sensitive detection area. In the proposed detector design, 2<i>N</i> photodetectors are used to cover the same image area instead of <i>N</i><sup>2</sup> with a direct readout. This design allows for the development of a compact detector with an expanded effective field of view and reduced cost.https://www.mdpi.com/2410-390X/9/1/2Monte Carlo simulationsGEANT4positron emission tomographyscintillation photonsGEANT4 simulationssilicon photomultiplier
spellingShingle Anzori Sh. Georgadze
Feasibility Study of a PET Detector with a Wavelength-Shifting Fiber Readout
Instruments
Monte Carlo simulations
GEANT4
positron emission tomography
scintillation photons
GEANT4 simulations
silicon photomultiplier
title Feasibility Study of a PET Detector with a Wavelength-Shifting Fiber Readout
title_full Feasibility Study of a PET Detector with a Wavelength-Shifting Fiber Readout
title_fullStr Feasibility Study of a PET Detector with a Wavelength-Shifting Fiber Readout
title_full_unstemmed Feasibility Study of a PET Detector with a Wavelength-Shifting Fiber Readout
title_short Feasibility Study of a PET Detector with a Wavelength-Shifting Fiber Readout
title_sort feasibility study of a pet detector with a wavelength shifting fiber readout
topic Monte Carlo simulations
GEANT4
positron emission tomography
scintillation photons
GEANT4 simulations
silicon photomultiplier
url https://www.mdpi.com/2410-390X/9/1/2
work_keys_str_mv AT anzorishgeorgadze feasibilitystudyofapetdetectorwithawavelengthshiftingfiberreadout