Design optimization of a truncated cone-shaped LaBr3:Ce/NaI:Tl phoswich detector based on GEANT4 simulation

Abstract

The anti-Compton phoswich (ACP) detector, which is composed of multiple scintillators with one photomultiplier tube, takes into account the Compton suppression function and portability, and therefore, a discussion on how to design its shape to improve the performance of the detector has become necessary. Based on an ACP detector using a well-typed LaBr3:Ce/NaI:Tl composite scintillator that has been developed in the laboratory in early work, this study uses GEANT4 to simulate and study the influence of the change in the shape and size of the secondary scintillator on the performance of the detector, such as the Compton suppression ratio, the energy resolution, and the full-energy peak (FEP) loss. In the course of the study, we mainly investigate the variation of the performance of the detector in two ways. First, the inclination angle of the truncated cone is gradually changed to compare its FEP address and Compton suppression ratio. Second, the case of the well-shaped and annular-shaped secondary scintillators is compared, respectively, to find out their impact on energy resolution and FEP address. The final results show that, compared with the ACP detector using a φ75 × 90 mm2 LaBr3:Ce/NaI:Tl cylindrical composite scintillator, a truncated cone-shaped composite scintillator of 0.8 inclination may have an equivalent 137% light yield (137% signal-to-noise ratio), a Compton suppression ratio of 89.62% (at 662 keV), 89.98% FWHM energy resolution, and a volume reduction of 36.74%, which means that the weight of the detector is reduced by 2.107 kg.