用于高分辨率 PET探测器的LSO闪烁晶体的研究

LSO晶体具有密度大光输出量强和衰减时间短的特性使其成为在PET探测器领域的应用潜在的闪烁晶体材料.按照辐射成象系统应用的性能要求我们对LSO晶体的闪烁特性进行了评价.为了获取较高的光输出量,研究和验证了许许多多的晶体表面的状况对光输出量的影响.对于单个LSO晶体和R5900-00-C12位敏管相耦合的系统,钠伽马射线源的511keV的能量峰处的能量分辨率为15%,时间分辨率为0.65ns,最后对三个LSO阵列分别成象验证了其空间分辨本领.     

PET用新型深度编码探测器设计

平行性问题或作用深度问题影响着正电子放射层析系统(PET)的成象分辨率。本文提出和评价了一种二阶深度编码探测器,这个探测器是由两层LSO晶体和位置灵敏型光电倍增管(PS-PMT)组成,上层的晶体相对于下层的晶体的位置在X和Y方向上都有半个晶体阵列单元的错位,因为每个晶体的输出光的重心位置分布在PS-PMT上不同的位置,所以通过计算其重心位置就可在象平面上区别开每个晶体。根据PET系统的应用要求,我们验证了探测器的性能。伽马射线垂直入射时,上层晶体阵列的固有空间分辨率为1.15mmFWHM,下层晶体列阵为1.34mm FWHM.钠伽马辐射源的511keV能量峰处的平均能量分辨率对于下层晶体为19.7%,上层为23.6%.通过类似的技术亦可实现3阶、4阶深度编码探测器。     

基于蛇形光路的PET探测器作用深度提取方法

为实现正电子发射断层成像(Positron Emission Tomography,PET)探测器的作用深度(Depth Of Interaction,DOI)信息获取,本文提出一种基于分光技术的探测器设计方案.探测器采用晶体单元与硅光电倍增管(Silicon Photomultiplier,SiPM)一对一耦合、蛇形光路的设计和单端Anger加权读出方法进行DOI解码.基于GATE软件进行蒙特卡罗模拟,建立8×1的LSO晶体阵列(单根晶体尺寸3.1×3.1×20mm3);模拟泛场照射获取位置查找表;并进行不同深度的模拟,获得各晶体在各深度的空间分辨率.结果显示所模拟的探测器模块DOI分辨率在1.0~6.7mm之间,平均值为3.2mm.本文提出的基于蛇形光路的PET探测器方案能在维持系统成本和复杂度的前提下实现DOI解码,提升PET系统的成像性能.     

植物研究用γ射线成像系统设计（英文）

为了利用正电子发射断层成像技术在植物生理功能研究中的优势,正在开发由两个探测器相向放置构成的γ射线成像系统.系统中采用的探测器是由10×10的氧正硅酸镥(LSO)晶体阵列与滨松R5900-C12耦合组成.单个LSO尺寸为1.8mm×1.8mm×10mm.根据PET应的特点,测试了该探测器的性能.所有闪烁晶体的图像在位置图谱中清楚可见;511keV全能峰处的能量分辨率位于14.5%-22%之间;符合时间分辨率随着位置灵敏光电倍增管的供给电压的增加而得到改善.这些实验结果表明,该LSO探测器适于构造高分辨率的双探测器成像系统.     

植物研究用γ射线成像系统设计

为了利用正电子发射断层成像技术在植物生理功能研究中的优势,正在开发由两个探测器相向放置构成的γ射线成像系统.系统中采用的探测器是由10×10的氧正硅酸镥(LSO)晶体阵列与滨松R5900-C12耦合组成.单个LSO尺寸为1.8mm×1.8mm×10mm.根据PET应用的特点,测试了该探测器的性能.所有闪烁晶体的图像在位置图谱中清楚可见;511keV全能峰处的能量分辨率位于14.5%—22%之间;符合时间分辨率随着位置灵敏光电倍增管的供给电压的增加而得到改善.这些实验结果表明,该LSO探测器适于构造高分辨率的双探测器成像系统.     

新型位置灵敏光电倍增管的性能测量

位置灵敏型光电倍增管(PS-PMT)代表了基于单个管子的原理开发新概念γ相机的技术进步.最近,日本滨松公司出品了一种新型紧凑型的PSPMT—R7600-C12.根据正电子放射断层成像系统(PET)的应用特点,我们测试了由该PS-PMT组合成的闪烁晶体阵列探测器的空间分辨率、空间线性度、增益均匀性及时间分辨率LSO与该PS-PMT的组合空间分辨率达到1.4mm,而且显示出良好的空间线性、增益均匀性及优异的时间分辨特性.     

φ76mm×100mm BGO探测器性能研究

根据中能重离子核反应实验中测量较高能量γ光子的需要,利用国内条件试制了一台大圆柱BGO探测器.本文报道了晶体的包装与相对光输出以及探测器的能量与时间分辨性能,比较了不同光电倍增管对探测器性能的影响,分析了在有关实验中采用这种探测器的可行性.     

φ76mm×100mm BGO探测器性能研究

根据中能重离子核反应实验中测量较高能量γ光子的需要,利用国内条件试制了一台大圆柱体BGO探测器。本文报道了晶体的包装与相对光输出以及探测器的能量与时间分辨性能,比较了不同光电倍增管对探测器性能的影响,分析了在有关实验中采用这种探测器的可行性。     

γ射线在LSO晶体中的能量沉积

采用蒙特卡罗程序MCNP计算了γ射线在LSO晶体中的能量沉积分布并与相应的实验结果进行了对比,验证了该方法的正确性。在此基础上计算了不同能量的γ射线在LSO晶体中的能量沉积分布,分析了γ射线与物质的不同作用对晶体中能量沉积分布的影响,总结出在晶体轴向和径向的能量沉积分布规律。轴向上,不同能量γ射线在LSO晶体中的能量沉积近似为指数分布,在表面能量沉积密度较小;在径向方向,γ射线在入射轴线上能量沉积密度很高,在距入射轴较近的区域,主要是次级电子产生沉积能量,随着距离的增大,γ射线能量沉积逐渐减小;在距入射轴较远的区域,能量沉积主要是散射γ射线产生。     

BESⅢ端盖TOF探测器的研制

针对BESⅢ端盖TOF的研制方案, 设计和制作了特殊构型的闪烁探测器. 研究了光电倍增管(R5924)和塑料闪烁体(BC404, BC408, EJ204)的性能. 测量了几种包装材料对单个闪烁探测器模块光收集和本征时间分辨的影响. 使用800MeV实验电子束对探测器模块的测量结果显示, 采用EJ204和BC404晶体其时间分辨小于80ps; 采用ESR材料包装可获得较大的输出信号, 提高了探测器的性能.     

高分辨率及高灵敏度小动物PET研究进展

作为一种高灵敏度且具有定量测量能力的功能分子影像技术,小动物PET越来越广泛地用于各种生物医学研究,例如疾病动物模型研究、新药物研发和新治疗方法评估等。首先回顾小动物PET成像系统的发展历史、效率和空间分辨率等性能的改进和产业化;其次,讨论了影响PET空间分辨率和效率的各种因素,包括晶体大小、探测器几何、正电子射程、光子非共线效应、图像重建算法和阻碍PET系统同时达到高空间分辨率和高效率的相互作用深度不确定效应;最后,介绍了小动物PET成像系统在以下几个方面的取得的最新进展:（1）高密度、小的光衰减常数和高光产额的闪烁晶体;（2）体积小、增益大、时间性能好、工作电压低和磁兼容的新型硅光电倍增管光探测器;（3）各种深度测量PET探测器,详细介绍了一个可达到分辨0.43 mm×0.43 mm×20 mm晶格和达到2.4 mm深度分辨率的双端读出探测器;（4）使用深度测量探测器的小动物PET成像系统,详细介绍了一个使用高分辨率双端读出探测器,全视野达到0.55 mm平均位置分辨率的小动物PET原型系统;（5）磁兼容插件式小动物PET成像系统和PET/MRI同时成像的优点;（6）小动物PET图像重建和数据校正的特点、传统的滤波反投影算法和新的迭代算法的优缺点和PET图像重建算法未来的发展方向。As the most sensitive and quantitative molecular imaging technique,small animal positron emission tomography (PET) has become a widely used tool in biomedical research such as in animal model of human disease,development of new drugs and the evaluation of new therapeutics.In this paper,first the history,the efforts to improve the spatial resolution and sensitivity as well as the commercialization process of small animal PET scanner are reviewed.Then the factors that affect the spatial resolution and sensitivity of PET scanner such as crystal size,detector geometry,positron range,photon noncollinearity and imaging reconstruction are discussed in detail.The depth of interaction effect which hinders the simultaneous achievement of PET spatial resolution and sensitivity are also discussed.Finally the recent progress made in the following areas of small animal PET instrumentation are introduced:(1) high density,short light decay constant and bright scintillator,(2) compact,high gain,good timing resolution,low bias voltage and MRI compatible silicon photomultiplier,(3) depth encoding detectors by using different methods,a detector using dual-ended readout,identifying 0.43 mm×0.43 mm×20 mm crystals and achieving a 2.4 mm depth of interaction resolution was introduced in detail,(4) small animal PET scanners using depth encoding detectors,a prototype scanner using high resolution dualended readout detectors and achieving an average of 0.55 mm spatial resolution in the whole field of view was introduced in detail.(5) MRI compatible small animal PET inserts and the advantage of simultaneous PET/MRI imaging,(6) image reconstruction and data correction of small animal PET,the filter back projection and iterative reconstruction algorithms are compared and a few key directions of PET image reconstruction will be presented.     

PET探测器技术的新进展

PET设备中探测器的研发, 一直是很活跃且具有高创新性的领域。 提高现有基于闪烁晶体探测器的性能, 研究适用于多模式成像设备（PET/CT和PET/MRI）的新型探测器, 满足TOF和DOI技术的需求并促进其发展应用, 构成PET探测器的几个主要研究方向。 介绍了PET探测器在闪烁晶体、 光电探测器和半导体探测器等方面的最新进展, 指出未来最有潜力的探测器设计方案。 The research on PET detector is a very active and highly innovative field. The main research interests of PET detector include improving performances of scintillation crystal detectors, investigating new detectors being suitable for multimodality imaging (e.g., PET/CT and PET/MRI), meeting needs of TOF and DOI technologies in order to promote their development and application. In this paper, new developments in PET detector technology about scintillation crystal, photodetector and semiconductor detector are introduced and the most potential detector design scheme in the future is brought forward.     

利用作用深度信息提高正电子断层成像仪分辨率一致性

获取作用深度信息是设计小动物正电子断层成像仪的关键技术之一.我们利用新设计的含有作用深度信息的探测器，从模拟与实验两个方面观测了作用深度信息对于分辨率一致性的影响.结果表明：在γ射线垂直入射时，深度编码探测器和一般的无深度检出机能的探测器，均获得了高分辨率，而γ射线斜入射时，深度编码探测器与一般的探测器相比能提供更好的空间分辨率. 关键词： 作用深度 空间分辨率 正电子断层成像仪     

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.     

不同厚度像素CdZnTe探测器的性能测试和评估

碲锌镉材料(CdZnTe)是目前探测X射线和γ射线的最好材料之一。将241 Am和137 Cs辐射源作用于像素CdZnTe探测器,通过实验和仿真分别得到能量谱估计、能量分辨率和峰值效率。由实验和仿真结果得出:在662keV的高能量下,厚度较大的CdZnTe探测器可获得更高的能量分辨率和峰值效率,但在59.5keV低能处会出现拖尾升高和电荷损失的现象;厚度较薄的探测器在低能处的特性反而更好。     

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 novel epitaxially grown LSO‐based thin‐film scintillator for micro‐imaging using hard synchrotron radiation

The efficiency of high‐resolution pixel detectors for hard X‐rays is nowadays one of the major criteria which drives the feasibility of imaging experiments and in general the performance of an experimental station for synchrotron‐based microtomography and radiography. Here the luminescent screen used for the indirect detection is focused on in order to increase the detective quantum efficiency: a novel scintillator based on doped Lu₂SiO₅ (LSO), epitaxially grown as thin film via the liquid phase epitaxy technique. It is shown that, by using adapted growth and doping parameters as well as a dedicated substrate, the scintillation behaviour of a LSO‐based thin crystal together with the high stopping power of the material allows for high‐performance indirect X‐ray detection. In detail, the conversion efficiency, the radioluminescence spectra, the optical absorption spectra under UV/visible‐light and the afterglow are investigated. A set‐up to study the effect of the thin‐film scintillator's temperature on its conversion efficiency is described as well. It delivers knowledge which is important when working with higher photon flux densities and the corresponding high heat load on the material. Additionally, X‐ray imaging systems based on different diffraction‐limited visible‐light optics and CCD cameras using among others LSO‐based thin film are compared. Finally, the performance of the LSO thin film is illustrated by imaging a honey bee leg, demonstrating the value of efficient high‐resolution computed tomography for life sciences.