A joint beta and coincidence-gamma data modeling and image reconstruction framework for plant leaf imaging

Joint estimation of radioactivity distribution and concentration in thin objects using both positron (beta) and coincidence-gamma measurements is potentially more quantitative than to using either measurement alone. An imaging system that is capable of simultaneously measuring beta and gamma data was designed previously. This work includes studying the underlying physics and the intrinsic behavior of the phoswich detector to propose a novel forward model. Additionally an image reconstruction framework for joint estimation is developed. Validation experiment results show that a better quantitation in radioactivity concentration and distribution recovery can be achieved in contrast to separate reconstruction.