Performance of a PET detector with a 256ch flat panel PS-PMT

A 256ch flat panel position sensitive photomultiplier tube (FP-PMT) is a promising device for a PET detector because of its large opening area, 52 mm × 52 mm, and small dead space. The useful area of the 256ch FP-PMT is 89% to the opening area. The 256ch FP-PMT contains 16 × 16 matrix anodes with 3.04 mm intervals between them so that the 256ch FP-PMT affords optical coupling with a 16 × 16 array of scintillation crystals having 3 mm × 3 mm bottom area. Its 14.7 mm thickness will also ensure a compact volume and less weight for the PET apparatus. Using a prototype 256ch FP-PMT, we measured light spread function of a central anode and crystal identification ability with 2.9 mm × 2.9 mm × 7.5 mm Gd₂SiO₅ (GSO) crystals. The full width at half maximum of the light spread function was found to be 4.6 mm. As regards positioning performance, the resultant positioning image map assures its capability for crystal identification in a 16 × 16 array of the GSO crystals. For the use of a 256ch FP-PMT having a large useful area, we made a new proposal for easier construction of an array with many crystal elements. The way utilizing multilayer polymer mirrors, a reflector, properly processed by laser can be applied to other various shaped detectors.