High resolution Time of Flight determination based on reconfigurable logic devices for future PET/MR systems

Abstract This contribution shows how to perform Time of Flight (TOF) measurements in PET systems using low-cost Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) devices with a resolution better of 100 ps. This is achieved with a proper management of the FPGA internal resources and with an extremely careful device calibration process including both temperature and voltage compensation. Preliminary results are reported.

Monte Carlo simulation of alpha spectra in low-geometry measurements

Abstract Monte Carlo simulation of alpha spectra obtained with semiconductor detectors in low-geometry has been developed. The proposed method reproduces adequately experimental spectra of alpha emitters by taking into account the energy losses and trajectory changes of alpha particles as consequences of their interactions in the source, backing and detector.

Detector blockbased on arrays of 144 SiPMs and monolithic scintillators: A performane study

[EN] We have developed a detector block composed by a monolithic LYSO scintillator coupled to a custom made 12 12 SiPMs array. The design is mainly focused to applications such as Positron Emission Tomography. The readout electronics is based on 3 identical and scalable Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC). We have determined the main performance of the detector block namely spatial, energy, and time resolution but also the system capability to determine the photon depth of interaction, for different crystal surface treatments. Intrinsic detector spatial resolution values as good as 1.7 mm FWHM and energies of 15% for black painted crystals were measured. & 2014 Elsevier B.V. All…

Impact of crystal quality, geometry and surface finish for 3D impact position measurements in gamma ray detection systems

We have studied several ways of optimizing the 3D impact position measurements for gamma ray imaging detectors based on continuous monolithic large sized and thick scintillation crystals. The readout of such detectors is performed with position sensitive photo multipliers and with a depth of interaction (DOI) enhanced charge division readout. We have studied the effect of the crystal truncation angle, the reflective covering and the absorption and scattering mean free paths of the crystal. In particular, we have simulated and measured the impact on the energy resolution and the 3D spatial resolution. The results show that by optimization of the accessible crystal parameters we can enhance t…

Monte Carlo study of an imager for low-energy γ-ray astronomy: Optimization of the design and evaluation of the scientific performances

Abstract In this paper we present the phase A studies which were carried out for the optimization of the design and evaluation of the scientific performances of the Imager, which is one of the two main instruments under development for the INTEGRAL mission, selected by ESA as the next scientific mission of medium size (M2). These studies were done by Monte Carlo simulation, using the CERN GEANT-3 package. Both the whole geometry and materials defining the Imager were considered in the simulations.

Timing results using an FPGA-based TDC with large arrays of 144 SiPMs

Silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) have become an alternative to traditional tubes due to several features. However, their implementation to form large arrays is still a challenge especially due to their relatively high intrinsic noise, depending on the chosen readout. In this contribution, two modules composed of SiPMs with an area of roughly mm mm are used in coincidence. Coincidence resolving time (CRT) results with a field-programmable gate array, in combination with a time to digital converter, are shown as a function of both the sensor bias voltage and the digitizer threshold. The dependence of the CRT on the sensor matrix temperature, the amount of SiPM active area and the crystal type…

A coded mask for γ-ray astronomy. Design and calibration

Abstract The high-resolution γ-ray spectrometer (SPI) is one of the two main instruments on board the ESA INTEGRAL satellite successfully launched in October 2002. SPI uses coded aperture mask technique in order to have imaging capabilities at the energy band (20 keV–8 MeV) it will study celestial sources. The SPI imaging performance depends critically on the quality of the coded mask response and also on the precise knowledge of such response function. In this paper we present a general description of the SPI Coded Mask design together with its main features. Scientific impact of INTEGRAL SPI Coded Mask design on the instrument capabilities is also discussed. Results obtained for Mask cali…

Next generation of the Albira small animal PET based on high density SiPM arrays

A new design of the small animal PET Albira system which detectors are based on arrays of SiPMs and monolithic LYSO scintillator is presented here. The system is made out of 3 rings of 8 detectors each, resulting on an axial and transaxial FOVs of 148 and 80 mm, respectively. The scanner is thermally stabilized using air-cooling. Working temperatures around 22–25°C are reached with individual detector variations around 0.2°C minimizing dark count rates and gain drifts. One of the most significant improvements of the current system is the accurate photon impact determination within the crystal volume, specially its depth of interaction. This allows the calculation of the true line of respons…

Comparison between Theoretical Predictions and Legri Background Noise Experimental Measurements

Trapped protons are responsible for the main component of LEGRI background. Detailed theoretical model has demonstrated that the proton-induced counting rate is two orders of magnitude larger than the counting rate of the diffuse gamma-ray flux. The continuous passes of LEGRI through the SAA (7 times everyday) makes very difficult the background modelling. Long and short lived isotopes contribute in very different time scales to the proton-induced background component. The goal of this paper is to present a comparison between the long-lived background noise theoretical predictions and the experimental data. The results show an unexpected good agreement between the predicted and the observed…

Time of flight measurements based on FPGA using a breast dedicated PET

In this work the implementation of a Time-to-Digital Converter (TDC) using a Nutt delay line FPGA-based and applied on a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) device is going to be presented in order to check the system’s suitability for Time of Flight (TOF) measurements. In recent years, FPGAs have shown great advantages for precise time measurements in PET. The architecture employed for these measurements is described in detail. The system developed was tested on a dedicated breast PET prototype, composed of LYSO crystals and Positive Sensitive Photomultipliers (PSPMTs). Two distinct experiments were carried out for this purpose. In the first test, system linearity was evaluated in order to …

QR-Factorization Algorithm for Computed Tomography (CT): Comparison With FDK and Conjugate Gradient (CG) Algorithms

[EN] Even though QR-factorization of the system matrix for tomographic devices has been already used for medical imaging, to date, no satisfactory solution has been found for solving large linear systems, such as those used in computed tomography (CT) (in the order of 106 equations). In CT, the Feldkamp, Davis, and Kress back projection algorithm (FDK) and iterative methods like conjugate gradient (CG) are the standard methods used for image reconstruction. As the image reconstruction problem can be modeled by a large linear system of equations, QR-factorization of the system matrix could be used to solve this system. Current advances in computer science enable the use of direct methods for…

Position sensitive photosensors based on SiPM arrays

Time of flight measurements based on FPGA and SiPMs for PET–MR

Coincidence time measurements with SiPMs have shown to be suitable for PET/MR systems. The present study is based on 3 x 3 mm(2) SiPMs, LSO crystals and a conditioning signal electronic circuit. A Constant Fraction Discriminator (CFD) is used to digitalize the signals and a TDC FPGA-implemented is employed for fine time measurements. TDC capability allows processing the arrival of multiple events simultaneously, measuring times under 100 ps. The complete set-up for time measurements results on a resolution of 892 +/- 41 ps for a pair of detectors. The details of such implementation are exposed and the trade-offs of each configuration are discussed. (C) 2013 Elsevier By, All rights reserved,

Legri Background. Short Term Variability

Background modelling for LEO satellites with high orbital inclination is not an easy task. The diffuse background component is dominated by the background coming from strong interactions with Earth magnetosphere trapped particles. Magnetic shielding is variable along the orbits and crosses through the SAA induce high radioactivity decay counting ratios. The aim of this paper is to present a model for the background total counting ratio of the 17 operative CdZnTe detectors on LEGRI in the short time scales and for observing periods outside crosses through SAA having enough time to cool LEGRI after the last SAA transit. Fluxes measured have been modelled in terms of the Mcllwain parameter L u…

Determination of IBIS mask transmission matrix

The high-angular resolution imager IBIS is one of the two main instruments aboard the ESA INTEGRAL satellite launched in October 2002. IBIS uses coded aperture mask technique in order to provide the required imaging capabilities for energies between 15 and 10 MeV.The precise knowledge of the coded mask response function critically determine the IBIS imaging performances. In this paper, we present a general description of the IBIS coded mask design together with its main features. Transparency and homogeneity values of the IBIS mask flight model from our laboratory measurements are presented with indication of the instrumental set-up used and accuracy achieved. Mask transmission as a functio…

Background in low Earth orbits measured by LEGRI telescope – short and long term variability

Abstract In this paper we present the first Low Energy Gamma Ray Imager (LEGRI) background measurements which were carried out in the earlier nominal operation activities of LEGRI Instrument on board MINISAT-01, after initial spacecraft and instrument check-up procedures. Short term (daily) and expected long term background variability is presented. A background model is also discussed in order to be used for celestial γ-ray emitters observations.

Sensitivity and Efficiency of the INTEGRAL Imager

A detailed simulation program of the INTEGRAL Imager has been written and implemented using the GEANT-3 Monte Carlo code. The expected detection efficiency and continuum sensitivity have been evaluated. The results obtained for the CsI configuration of the Imager are compared with those obtained with the new configuration which foresees a top plane made of CdTe solid state detector elements.

High-resolution multichannel Time-to-Digital Converter core implemented in FPGA for ToF measurements in SiPM-PET

In this contribution, Coincidence Resolving Time (CRT) results with the developed multichannel FPGA-TDC are showed as a function of different configurations for both, the sensor bias voltage and the digitizer threshold. The dependence of the CRT with the sensor matrix temperature, the amount of SiPM active area and the crystal type are also analyzed. Preliminary measurements carried out with a crystal array of 2 mm pixel size and 10 mm height have shown time resolutions for the entire 144 SiPM two-detectors ensemble as good as 800 ps.

Dependency of Energy-, Position- and Depth of Interaction Resolution on Scintillation Crystal Coating and Geometry

Options for optimizing the energy and spatial resolution of gamma-ray imaging detectors based on thick, monolithic crystals shaped like flat-topped pyramids were studied. Monte Carlo simulations were made of the scintillation light transport for evaluating the effect of four parameters on the energy resolution, the spatial resolutions, and the depth of interaction (DOI) resolution of the gamma-ray imaging detector. These four parameters are: the reflectivity of the surface coating; the scatter mean free path; the absorption mean free path of the scintillation light; and the angle that defines the inclination of the sides of the pyramidal frustum. In real detectors, the values for the mean f…