A 3-D imaging device using Compton scattering off the body

In this paper a novel approach to 3-D imaging is discussed. A monochromatic and well collimated gamma rays beam is used to illuminate the body to be imaged; the photons Compton scattered off the body are detected by means of a Germanium strip detector which measures, with high precision, the energy of the photon and its impact position. Inverting the Compton formula, the gamma scattering position along the beam axis is calculated. The electron density of the body may be imaged with this approach. Resolutions and signal to noise ratios are discussed as a function of incident gamma ray energy; a simple simulation is presented.