Comparison of YAP and BGO for high-resolution PET detectors

The goal of this work was to evaluate the potential of small YAP: Ce crystals, especially designed for a high-resolution PET system. We directly compared the scintillator properties of 3 × 3 × 20 mm3 crystals YAP with those of BGO. The light output, energy resolution, detection efficiency and timing properties for the irradiation using 137Cs and 22Na sources were investigated. Special consideration was given to the influence of the reflector coating on the light output as well as on the overall performance of the quality of the studied crystals.