Performance of liquid Xenon time projection chambers as possible PET detectors

A time projection chamber, usually applied to high energy physics, was designed to accurately detect 511 keV gammas in coincidence, using liquefied Xenon as active media. The possibility of having 3D location of the interaction points, and its relatively large active volume make this detector a candidate for a PET scanner, with high energy resolution and high detection efficiency expectations. Its behavior was simulated using Monte Carlo methods with GAMOS software -a GEANT4 based framework-, including its geometry, materials, shielding and the main parameters expected of the system. The simulated device was tested using protocols based on the recommendations of NEMA standards for PET scanners, in the matter of spatial resolution, sensitivity, scatter fraction, count losses and random coincidence studies. The results show good overall behavior, as well as certain design flaws that can be compensated. This work presents the complete results of the NEMA characterization.