Timing resolution of a TOF-DOI detector module prototype for positron emission tomography

Journal of Instrumentation, vol. 20, pp. P07034

Abstract

Abstract To increase the image quality and spatial resolution in positron emission tomography (PET), organ-dedicated and large axial field of view scanners require precise correction of the parallax errors at oblique angles via depth-of-interaction methods. In addition to their large solid angle coverage, time-of-flight (TOF) information, i.e., a high coincidence time resolution (CTR), can be exploited to increase the image signal-to-noise ratio and effectively boost system sensitivity. Due to the impact of the photon travel time spread (PTS) on the TOF resolution, a high DOI resolution is essential to correct the impact of the PTS on the CTR and achieve even higher timing resolution. In this work, we present a TOF- and DOI-capable detector block with a CTR of 187 ps (FWHM) to 213 ps (FWHM), read out with the NINO and TOFPET2 ASIC, and a DOI resolution of 3.4 mm to 4.7 mm (RMSE), which distinguishes at least two DOI layers in the detector. Additionally, we established benchmarks for the CTR with custom high-frequency readout electronics. With these, a CTR of 136 ps (FWHM) can be maintained for a single TOF-DOI unit channel in the detector block.

Authors 10

1. Vanessa Nadig Aachen Department of Physics of Molecular Imaging Systems

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Physics of Molecular Imaging Systems, University Hospital Aachen, Forckenbeckstrasse 55, Aachen, Germany

2. Giulia Terragni

   TU Wien · European Organization for Nuclear Research

   Affiliation as printed

   European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), 1 esplanade des particules, 1211 Geneve 23, Switzerland

   Technical University of Vienna, Karlsplatz 13, Vienna, Austria

3. Ekaterini Toumparidou Aachen Department of Physics of Molecular Imaging Systems

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Physics of Molecular Imaging Systems, University Hospital Aachen, Forckenbeckstrasse 55, Aachen, Germany

4. Matthias Hornisch Aachen Department of Physics of Molecular Imaging Systems

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Physics of Molecular Imaging Systems, University Hospital Aachen, Forckenbeckstrasse 55, Aachen, Germany

5. Artur Selenski Aachen Department of Physics of Molecular Imaging Systems

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Physics of Molecular Imaging Systems, University Hospital Aachen, Forckenbeckstrasse 55, Aachen, Germany

6. Katrin Herweg Aachen Department of Physics of Molecular Imaging Systems Institute for Imaging and Computer Vision

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Physics of Molecular Imaging Systems, University Hospital Aachen, Forckenbeckstrasse 55, Aachen, Germany

   Institute for Imaging and Computer Vision, RWTH Aachen University, Kopernikusstrasse 16, Aachen, Germany

7. Elena Tribbia

   University of Milano-Bicocca · European Organization for Nuclear Research

   Affiliation as printed

   European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), 1 esplanade des particules, 1211 Geneve 23, Switzerland

   University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 3, Milan, Italy

8. E. Auffray

   European Organization for Nuclear Research

   Affiliation as printed

   European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), 1 esplanade des particules, 1211 Geneve 23, Switzerland

9. Volkmar Schulz Aachen Institute for Imaging and Computer Vision Physics Institute III B

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Hyperion Hybrid Imaging Systems GmbH, Pauwelsstrasse 19, Aachen, Germany

   Institute for Imaging and Computer Vision, RWTH Aachen University, Kopernikusstrasse 16, Aachen, Germany

   Physics Institute III B, RWTH Aachen University, Sommerfeldstrasse 14, Aachen, Germany

10. S. Gundacker Aachen Department of Physics of Molecular Imaging Systems

    Austrian Academy of Sciences · Universitätsklinikum Aachen · Institute of High Energy Physics

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics of Molecular Imaging Systems, University Hospital Aachen, Forckenbeckstrasse 55, Aachen, Germany

    Institute of High Energy Physics, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Nikolsdorfer Gasse 18, Vienna, Austria