A Systematic Study to Optimize SiPM Photo-Detectors for Highest Time Resolution in PET

Gundacker, S.; Auffray, E.; Frisch, B.; Hillemanns, H.; Jarron, P.; Meyer, T. C.; Pauwels, K.; Lecoq, P.

doi:10.1109/tns.2012.2202918

Cited by 28 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…On the opposite detector arm, a reference LYSO-crystal of mm was mounted and fully wrapped with Teflon and coupled with Rhodorsil optical glue to a similar MPPC. The front-end electronics are based on the time-over-threshold method using the fast and low noise NINO discriminator as described in [12].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Photonic Crystals Can Improve the Timing Resolution of Scintillators

Lecoq

Auffray

Knapitsch

2013

IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.

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Photonic crystals (PhCs) and quantum optics phenomena open interesting perspectives to enhance the light extraction from scintillating media with high refractive indices as demonstrated by our previous work. By doing so, they also influence the timing resolution of scintillators by improving the photostatistics. The present contribution will demonstrate that they are actually doing much more. Indeed, photonic crystals, if properly designed, allow the extraction of fast light propagation modes in the crystal with higher efficiency, therefore contributing to increasing the density of photons in the early phase of the light pulse. This is of particular interest to tag events at future high-energy physics colliders, such as CLIC, with a bunch-crossing rate of 2 GHz, as well as for a new generation of time-of-flight positron emission tomographs (TOFPET) aiming at a coincidence timing resolution of 100 ps FWHM. At this level of precision, good control of the light propagation modes is crucial if we consider that in a -mm LSO crystal, the time spread (peak to peak) of extracted photons can be as large as 400 ps considering simple light bouncing only. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the light propagation and extraction modes in a LSO crystal combining the LITRANI light ray tracing and the CAMFR PhC simulation codes. Ongoing measurement results are shown with an attempt to unfold the contribution from the improved photostatistics that result from the total enhanced light output on one side and from the improved contribution of fast propagation mode extraction on the other side. Some results are also shown on a new and more industrial process to produce PhCs by the use of nano-imprint technology.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Photonic Crystals Can Improve the Timing Resolution of Scintillators

Lecoq

Auffray

Knapitsch

2013

IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.

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“…Expressed in terms of coincidence time resolution (CTR) and FWHM, relation (4) then becomes: (5) It must be noted, however, that in the context of overall timing resolution this approximation is a simplification as, e.g., SiPM transit time spread, being typically of order hundred picoseconds, is totally neglected in this picture [23], [24]. The aim of this paper, however, is to concentrate on scintillators and ascertain their trends in CTR irrespective of other instrumental influences, albeit shown in a separate work by Gundacker et al [8]. Hence, Fig.…”

Section: A Photostatisticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…3. Only one type of SiPM was used in two identical back-to-back detector arms, i.e., the Hamamatsu-MPPC S10931-050P, with a SPAD size of 50 m. From an earlier study [8] it was found to be the fastest for these purposes. The operating bias of this SiPM, optimized for highest time resolution, was 72.4 V, 2 V above the measured breakdown voltage.…”

Section: Experimental Setupsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The challenge to achieve the highest possible time resolution can only be met if every component of the detection system is optimized in terms of light production, light transport, optical coupling, photo-conversion and noise. In a previous study [8] we had addressed this question in terms of a systematic search for optimum SiPM performance, whereas this study centers on an understanding of scintillator behavior in light of their timing performance under differing physical (and chemical) conditions such as scintillator type, crystal or pixel size and reflector material. Since the focus is on scintillators we will only give a brief description of the photodetectors and their electronic circuitry used in the light-yield (LY) and CTR test benches.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Comprehensive & Systematic Study of Coincidence Time Resolution and Light Yield Using Scintillators of Different Size and Wrapping

Auffray

Frisch

Ghezzi

et al. 2013

IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.

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Over the last years, interest in using time-of-flightbased Positron Emission Tomography (TOF-PET) systems has significantly increased. High time resolution in such PET systems is a powerful tool to improve signal to noise ratio and therefore to allow smaller exposure rates for patients as well as faster image acquisition. Improvement in coincidence time resolution (CTR) in PET systems to the level of 200 ps FWHM requires the optimization of all parameters in the photon detection chain influencing the time resolution: crystal, photodetector and readout electronics. After reviewing the factors affecting the time resolution of scintillators, we will present in this paper the light yield and CTR obtained for different scintillator types (LSO:Ce, LYSO:Ce, LGSO:Ce, LSO:Ce:0.4Ca, LuAG:Ce, LuAG:Pr) with different cross-sections, lengths and reflectors. Whereas light yield measurements were made with a classical PMT, all CTR tests were performed with Hamamatsu-MPPCs S10931-050P. The CTR measurements were based on the time-over-threshold method in a coincidence setup using the ultra fast amplifier-discriminator chip NINO and a fast oscilloscope. Strong correlations between light yield and CTR were found. Excellent results have been obtained for LYSO crystals of 2 2 10 mm and LYSO pixels of 0.75 0.75 10 mm with a CTR of 175 ps and 188 ps FWHM, respectively. Index Terms-Lutetium-aluminum garnets, lutetium-oxy-orthosilicate (LSO), multi-pixel photon counters (MPPCs), silicon photomultipliers (SiPM), time-based readout, time-over-threshold discrimination.

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“…A coincidence timing resolution of 101 ps FWHM was achieved with LaBr 3 :Ce crystals of 3 × 3 × 5 mm 3 size coupled to Hamamatsu MPPCs 3 × 3 mm 3 [25]. With Cerium and Calcium co-doped LSO (LSO:CeCa) crystals, 2 × 2 × 20 mm 3 also coupled to Hamamatsu MPPCs 3 × 3 mm 3 , a 170 ps FWHM resolution has been obtained employing the NINO ASIC for readout [26].…”

Section: Medical Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Overview of SiPM applications

Llosá¹

2013

Proceedings of International Workshop on New Photon-Detectors — PoS(PhotoDet 2012)

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Multicell Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes, or silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs), have proven to be a sound alternative to other types of photodetectors in different fields and have advantages that can significantly overcome performances previously achieved, and enable new possibilities. SiPM development continues with the improvement of general properties, and the enhancement of determined characteristics to fulfil specific requirements for different applications. As the number of SiPM manufacturers rises, their properties improve and more possibilities for readout appear in the market, an increasing number of physics experiments tend to replace other type of photodetectors by SiPMs, or to employ them in innovative applications. SiPMs have been successfully applied or are being tested in numerous applications in high energy physics (in calorimeters for CALICE, in T2K or in Cherenkov detectors), in astroparticle physics (such as MAGIC or EUSO), and in medical imaging (for example in the combination of PET and MR imaging modalities or for time of flight PET).

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A Systematic Study to Optimize SiPM Photo-Detectors for Highest Time Resolution in PET

Cited by 28 publications

References 16 publications

How Photonic Crystals Can Improve the Timing Resolution of Scintillators

How Photonic Crystals Can Improve the Timing Resolution of Scintillators

A Comprehensive & Systematic Study of Coincidence Time Resolution and Light Yield Using Scintillators of Different Size and Wrapping

Overview of SiPM applications

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