Title :
A Systematic Study to Optimize SiPM Photo-Detectors for Highest Time Resolution in PET
Author :
Gundacker, S. ; Auffray, E. ; Frisch, B. ; Hillemanns, H. ; Jarron, P. ; Meyer, T. ; Pauwels, K. ; Lecoq, P.
Author_Institution :
Eur. Organ. for Nucl. Res. (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
Abstract :
We report on a systematic study of time resolution made with three different commercial silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) (Hamamatsu MPPC S10931-025P, S10931-050P, and S10931-100P) and two LSO scintillating crystals. This study aimed to determine the optimum detector conditions for highest time resolution in a prospective time-of-flight positron emission tomography (TOF-PET) system. Measurements were based on the time over threshold method in a coincidence setup using the ultrafast amplifier-discriminator NINO and a fast oscilloscope. Our tests with the three SiPMs of the same area but of different SPAD sizes and fill factors led to best results with the Hamamatsu type of 50×50×μm2 single-pixel size. For this type of SiPM and under realistic geometrical PET scanner conditions, i.e., with 2×2×10×mm3 LSO crystals, a coincidence time resolution of 220 ±4 ps FWHM could be achieved. The results are interpreted in terms of SiPM photon detection efficiency (PDE), dark noise, and photon yield.
Keywords :
amplifiers; discriminators; nuclear electronics; oscilloscopes; photomultipliers; positron emission tomography; semiconductor devices; solid scintillation detectors; time of flight spectroscopy; Hamamatsu MPPC S10931-025P; Hamamatsu S10931-050P; Hamamatsu S10931-100P; LSO crystals; LSO scintillating crystals; SiPM photodetector optimisation; SiPM photon detection efficiency; TOF-PET system; dark noise; fast oscilloscope; high time resolution PET; optimum detector conditions; photon yield; positron emission tomography; silicon photomultipliers; size 10 mm; size 2 mm; size 50 mum; time of flight PET; time over threshold method; ultrafast amplifier discriminator NINO; Crystals; Detectors; Noise; Photonics; Positron emission tomography; Systematics; Time measurement; Lutetium-oxy-ortho-silicate (LSO); multipixel photon counters (MPPCs); silicon photomultipliers (SiPM); time-based readout; time-over-threshold discrimination;
Journal_Title :
Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TNS.2012.2202918
