Fast and Efficient Detection of 511 keV Photons using Cherenkov Light in PbF${}_2$ Crystal coupled to a MCP-PMT and SAMPIC Digitization Module

Abstract

We study the possibility to use the Cherenkov light for the efficient detection of 511 keV photons with the goal to use it in TOF-PET. We designed and tested two detection modules consisting of PbF${}_2$ crystals attached to Planacon MCP-PMT XP85012. Amplified PMT signals are digitized by the SAMPIC module with high readout rate, up to $10^5$ events/s, and a negligible contribution to the time resolution, below 20 ps (FWHM). We developed a fast 2D scanning system to calibrate the PMT time response and studied in details the timing characteristics of the Planacon PMT. Using a radioactive ${}^{22}$Na source we measured a detection efficiency of 24% for 511 keV photons in a 10 mm thick crystal and a coincidence resolving time of 280 ps. We analyzed the main factors limiting the time resolution of the large-surface detection module and proposed solutions to improve it, which will be tested in our future project.

Accepted by JINST

References in corpus (1)

• Cross-talk suppressed multi-anode MCP-PMT

Cited by in corpus (4)

• Design study of a scintronic crystal targeting tens of picoseconds time resolution for gamma ray imaging: the ClearMind detector
• Scintillating properties of today available lead tungstate crystals
• High resolution MCP-PMT Readout Using Transmission Lines
• Electro-purification studies and first measurement of relative permittivity of TMBi