Comparison of two position sensitive gamma-ray detectors based on continuous YAP and pixellated NaI(TI) for nuclear medical imaging applications

Dedicated position sensitive gamma-ray detectors based on position sensitive photomultiplier tubes (PSPMTs) coupled to scintillation crystals, have been used for the construction of compact gamma-ray imaging systems, suitable for nuclear medical imaging applications such as small animal imaging and single organ imaging and scintimammography. In this work, the performance of two gamma-ray detectors：a continuous YAP scintillation crystal coupled to a Hamamastu R2486 PSPMT and a pixellated NaI(TI) scintillation array crystal coupled to the same PSPMT, is compared. The results show that the gamma-ray detector based on a pixellated NaI(TI) scintillation array crystal is a promising candidate for nuclear medical imaging applications, since their performance in terms of position linearity, spatial resolution and effective field of view (FOV) is superior than that of the gamma-ray detector based on a continuous YAP scintillation crystal. However, a better photodetector (Hamamatau H8500 Flat Panel PMT, for example) coupled to the continuous crystal is also likely a good selection for nuclear medicine imaging applications.     

A method to enhance coincidence time resolution with applications for medical imaging systems (TOF/PET)

A coincidence timing spectrometer was assembled using NaI(Tl) inorganic and BC418 type organic (plastic) scintillation detectors. The constant fraction timing method was used. Coincidence time resolution values of the detectors, which have great importance in TOF/PET measurements, were obtained separately. The resolutions were enhanced using a different method in a start-stop coincidence spectrometer: the signals from the start detectors were delayed. The results from the FLUKA Monte Carlo simulation code agreed well with the experimental results.     

A multi NaI(Tl) detector array for medium energyγ-ray spectroscopy

An array of seven hexagonal NaI(Tl) detectors has been set up for measuringγ-ray spectra in the energy region 5 MeV ≤E _γ ≤ 40 MeV with good accuracy. This is in contrast to earlier set ups which mostly used one large sized (about 10 inchesφ × 15 inches long)NaI(Tl) detector. This set up has been made for the study ofγ decay of GDR based on high spin states and ultra-dipole radiations. The array has been provided with the following features: a) TOF discrimination against neutrons, b) pile up detection and elimination, c) active and passive shielding to cut down background and d) an array of trigger counters for multiplicity dependence measurements. The well known program EGS4 has been used to determine the response of the array forγ-rays in the energy region 5–40 MeV and several test measurements have been carried out to confirm the validity of the calculated response functions. Some typicalγ-ray spectra fromα and¹⁶O induced reactions measured at VECC, Calcutta and Pelletron accelerator at TIFR are also shown.     

Growth of high quality Ce~(3 ):YAP and (Ce~(3 ) Nd~(3 )): YAP single crystals

The effect of melt pretreatment of Ce~(3 ): YAP and (Ce~(3 ) Nd~(3 )): YAP and their growth ambient gases on the quality of the crystals are described. Firstly, a superheating pretreatment of YAP melt is adopted in a nitrogen atmosphere containing a little oxygen to eliminate carbon; then the YAP melt is superheated in a reduction atmosphere to fully reduce Ce~(4 ) ions into Ce~(3 ) ions in the melt. Finally, in a growth atmosphere of pure nitrogen, high quality Ce~(3 ): YAP and (Ce~(3 ) Nd~(3 )): YAP single crystals with high Ce~(3 ) concentration with only few light scattering centers were grown.     

Effects of gamma irradiation on some chemicals using an NaI (Tl) detector

The present work was carried out to find out the gamma ray shielding properties and to study the effects using an NaI (Tl) detector using radioactive sources ⁵⁷Co, ¹³³Ba, ¹³⁷Cs, ⁵⁴Mn, ⁶⁰Co and ²²Na at energies 122, 356, 511, 662, 840, 1170, 1275 and 1330?keV, for some chemicals, namely, sodium thiosulfate (Na₂S₂O₃), benzoic acid (C₇H₆O₂), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) (C₂H₄O), potassium nitrate (KNO3), naphthalene (C₁₀H₈). Mass attenuation coefficient (µ_m) values obtained from the experiment were used to determine the effective atomic numbers (Z_eff) and effective electron densities (N_eff), atomic cross-sections (σ_t) and electronic cross-sections (σ_e); it will be observed from the present work that the variation in the obtained values is only due to the increase or decrease in the gamma ray energy and the chemical composition of the sample. It was seen that the calculated and obtained values showed good agreement. The investigated data are useful in the electronic industry, plastic industry, building materials and agriculture fields. From the present work it was found that the PVA could be used as a better gamma shielding material.     

国产CsI(TI)晶体辐照损伤实验研究

研究了ＣｓＩ（ＴＩ）晶体在１．３ＧｅＶｅ－束形成的电磁辐射场和６０Ｃｏγ辐射场照射后的辐照损伤，测量了晶体光输出和透射率的变化，以及辐射损伤的自然恢复和加热恢复效应。     

Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of nanocomposites based on aromatic polyamide and modified ZnO nanoparticle for removal of toxic Cr(VI) from water

In this study, novel nanocomposites (NCs) of aromatic polyamide (PA) and surface modified ZnO nanoparticle with s-triazine heterocyclic ring was introduced for efficient removal of toxic hexavalent chromium (VI) from aqueous solution. The surface of ZnO nanoparticle was modified by s-triazine core silane coupling agent (ZnO-TSC) and PA/ZnO-TSC NCs with different amount of ZnO-TSC nanoparticles (0, 5, 10 and 15 wt%) were prepared by ultrasonic irradiation. The synthesized PA/ZnO-TSC NCs were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM, TEM and TGA methods. TEM images showed that ZnO nanoparticles were dispersed homogeneously in the polymer matrix. The adsorption experiments were carried out in batch mode to optimize various parameters like contact time, pH and concentration of metal ion that influence the adsorption rate. The maximum uptakes of Cr(VI) at pH 4.0 was 72%, 81%, 89% and 91% for pure PA, NC5%, NC10% and NC15%, respectively. The kinetic of adsorption was investigated and the pseudo second-order model is an appropriate model for interpretation of adsorption mechanism of Cr(VI) ions.     

Identification of two Ag‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine surface species on Ag nanoparticle surfaces by excitation wavelength dependence of SERS spectra and factor analysis: evidence for chemical mechanism contribution to SERS of Ag(0)–tpy

Measurement and interpretation of the excitation wavelength dependence of surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of molecules chemisorbed on plasmonic, e.g. Ag nanoparticle (NP) surfaces, are of principal importance for revealing the charge transfer (CT) mechanism contribution to the overall SERS enhancement. SERS spectra, their excitation wavelength dependence in the 445–780‐nm range and factor analysis (FA) were used for the identification of two Ag‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine (tpy) surface species, denoted Ag⁺–tpy and Ag(0)–tpy, on Ag NPs in systems with unmodified and/or purposefully modified Ag NPs originating from hydroxylamine hydrochloride‐reduced hydrosols. Ag⁺–tpy is a spectral analogue of [Ag(tpy)]⁺ complex cation, and its SERS shows virtually no excitation wavelength dependence. By contrast, SERS of Ag(0)–tpy surface complex generated upon chloride‐induced compact aggregate formation and/or in strongly reducing ambient shows a pronounced excitation wavelength dependence attributed to a CT resonance (the chemical mechanism) contribution to the overall SERS enhancement. Both the resonance (λ_exc = 532 nm) and off‐resonance (λ_exc = 780 nm) pure‐component spectra of Ag(0)–tpy obtained by FA are largely similar to surface‐enhanced resonance Raman scattering (λ_exc = 532 nm in resonance with singlet metal to ligand CT (¹ MLCT) transition) and SERS (λ_exc = 780 nm) spectra of [Fe(tpy)₂]²⁺ complex dication. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.