Rotatable LYSO-GAPD DEXA detector for providing improved spatial resolution

Abstract

A rotatable lutetium-yttrium-oxyorthosilicate-Geiger-mode-avalanche photodiode (LYSO-GAPD) DEXA detector that can be configured into either a normal-resolution or a high-resolution mode, was proposed and examined. A 3 × 3 × 2 mm3 LYSO was coupled to a 3 × 3 mm2 GAPD. The versatile transformation of the high-resolution mode was possible by employing the rotating controller for the DEXA detector on its own axis, and the intrinsic resolution in this mode was improved by ∼ 33% compared to the normal-resolution mode. Dual-energy X-ray spectra and imaging capabilities were evaluated in both acquisition modes. The respective peak positions of low- and high-energy-beam of normal-resolution mode (high-resolution mode) were 1330 mV (1262 mV) and 2347 mV (2267 mV). The respective peak-to-valley ratios of low- and high-energy-beam of normal-resolution mode (high-resolution mode) were ∼ 2.8 (∼ 2.9) and ∼ 1.2 (∼ 1.1). Considerable improvements in phantom images such as overall contrast and fine-spot detectability were observed in the high-resolution mode. It should be noted that spatial resolution was improved by reducing the detection-area from 3 × 3 mm2 to 2 × 3 mm2 in the high-resolution mode, but count rate was also decreased. These results demonstrated that a rotatable LYSO-GAPD DEXA detector allows to provide high versatility for both high-resolution mode and normal-resolution mode with a single detector.