Position-sensitive CZT Detectors Research Articles

Design of a Low-Dose, Stationary, Tomographic Molecular Breast Imaging System Using 3-D Position Sensitive CZT Detectors

Molecular breast imaging (MBI) has been shown to have high sensitivity for lesion detection, particularly in patients with dense breasts where conventional mammography is limited. However, relatively high radiation dose and long imaging time are limiting factors. Most current MBI systems are based on planar imaging. Improved performance can be achieved using tomographic techniques, which normally involve detector motion. Our goal is to develop a low-dose stationary tomographic MBI system with similar or better performance in terms of lesion detection compared to planar MBI. The proposed system utilizes two opposing cadmium zinc telluride detectors with high intrinsic resolution and depth of interaction (DOI) capability, combined with densely packed multipinhole collimators. This leads to improved efficiency and adequate angular sampling, but also to significant multiplexing (MX), which can result in artefacts. We have developed de-MX algorithms that take advantage of the DOI information. We have performed both analytic and Monte Carlo simulations to demonstrate the feasibility, optimize the design and investigate the expected performance of the proposed system. Lesion detectability was preserved with reduction of acquisition time (or radiation dose) by a factor of 2 compared to planar images at the lowest reported dose. The first prototype is under evaluation at Kromek.

Preliminary results of a Compton camera based on a single 3D position-sensitive CZT detector

A Compton camera prototype has been developed using a pixelated CZT detector with 4-by-4 pixels. Signals of the detector are read out by a VASTAT ASIC that is controlled by a self-developed DAQ board. The DAQ software is developed using LabVIEW, and the offline Compton imaging codes are written in C++. The prototype has been successfully calibrated, and its capabilities for source detection, spectroscopy, and Compton imaging have been demonstrated using a Cs-137 source. The angular resolution of the 662 keV line is 36° FWHM for the simple back-projection method and 9.6° FWHM for the MLEM reconstruction method. The system is ready to be extended to 11-by-11 pixels in the future, and a better imaging quality can be expected due to the better relative position resolution.

Development of a position-sensitive CZT detector with coplanar grid electrode

The finite–element analysis was done to optimize position-sensing coplanar grid electrode geometry. CdZnTe crystals manufactured by PAM-XIAMEN with customized electrode geometry have been tested. After digitizing pre-amplifier signals, trapezoidal digital filter was adopted to enhance the signal to noise ratio. Energy resolution of 2.7% FWHM at 662 keV γ-ray energy was obtained. The measured results show the dramatic improvement with position-sensing technique.

Study of sub-pixel position resolution with time-correlated transient signals in 3D pixelated CdZnTe detectors with varying pixel sizes

We evaluated the sub-pixel position resolution achievable in large-volume CdZnTe pixelated detectors with conventional pixel patterns and for several different pixel sizes: 2.8 mm, 1.72 mm, 1.4 mm and 0.8 mm. Achieving position resolution below the physical dimensions of pixels (sub-pixel resolution) is a practical path for making high-granularity position-sensitive detectors, <100 μm, using a limited number of pixels dictated by the mechanical constraints and multi-channel readout electronics. High position sensitivity is important for improving the imaging capability of CZT gamma cameras. It also allows for making more accurate corrections of response non-uniformities caused by crystal defects, thus enabling use of standard-grade (unselected) and less expensive CZT crystals for producing large-volume position-sensitive CZT detectors feasible for many practical applications. We analyzed the digitized charge signals from a representative 9 pixels and the cathode, generated using a pulsed-laser light beam focused down to 10 μm (650 nm) to scan over a selected 3×3 pixel area. We applied our digital pulse processing technique to the time-correlated signals captured from adjacent pixels to achieve and evaluate the capability for sub-pixel position resolution. As an example, we also demonstrated an application of 3D corrections to improve the energy resolution and positional information of the events for the tested detectors.

New Position Algorithms for the 3D CZT Drift Detector

The 3-D position sensitive CZT detector for high-energy astrophysics developed at DTU has been investigated with a digitizer readout system. The 3-D CZT detector is based on the CZT drift-strip detector principle and was fabricated using a REDLEN CZT crystal (20 mm $\times20$ mm $\times5$ mm). The detector contains 12 drift cells, each comprising one collecting anode strip with four drift strips, biased such that the electrons are focused and collected by the anode strips. Three-dimensional position determination is achieved using the anode strip signals, the drift-strip signals, and the signals from ten cathode strips. For the characterization work, we used a DAQ system with a 16 channels 250-MHz 14-b digitizer, SIS3316. It allowed us to analyze the pulse shapes of the signals from four detector cells at a time. The 3-D CZT setup was characterized with a finely collimated radioactive source of 137Cs at 662 keV. The analysis required development of novel position determination algorithms which are the subject of this paper. Using the digitizer readout, we demonstrate improved position determination compared to the previous read out system based on analog electronics. Position resolutions of 0.4-mm full width at half maximum (FWHM) in the $x$ -, $y$ -, and $z$ -directions were achieved and the energy resolution was 7.2-keV FWHM at 662 keV. The timing information allows identification of multiple interaction events within one detector cell, e.g., Compton scattering followed by photoelectric absorption. These characteristics are very important for a high-energy spectral-imager suitable for use in advanced Compton telescopes, or as focal detector for new hard X-ray and soft $\gamma$ -ray focusing telescopes or in polarimeter instrumentation. CZT detectors are attractive for these applications since they offer relatively high-quantum efficiency. From a technical point of view it is advantageous that their cooling requirements are modest.

Exploring the limiting timing resolution for large volume CZT detectors with waveform analysis

This paper presents a study for exploring the limiting timing resolution that can be achieved with a large volume 3-D position sensitive CZT detector. The interaction timing information was obtained by fitting the measured cathode waveforms to pre-defined waveform models. We compared the results from using several different waveform models. Timing resolutions, of ∼9.5 ns for 511 keV full-energy events and ∼11.6 ns for all detected events with energy deposition above 250 keV, were achieved with a detailed modeling of the cathode waveform as a function of interaction location and energy deposition. This detailed modeling also allowed us to derive a theoretical lower bound for the error on estimated interaction timing. Both experimental results and theoretical predications matched well, which indicated that the best timing resolution achievable in the 1 cm 3 CZT detector tested is ∼10 ns. It is also showed that the correlation between sampled amplitudes in cathode waveforms is an important limiting factor for the achievable timing resolution.

Evaluation of a Compton scattering camera using 3-D position sensitive CdZnTe detectors

A CZT Compton Camera (CCC) is being built using two three-dimensional (3-D) position-sensitive CZT detectors. Expected system performance was analyzed by analytical and Monte Carlo approaches. Based on the measurement of detector energy and position resolution, the expected angular resolution is ∼3° and ∼2° for a ±30° FOV for 511 keV and 1 MeV γ-rays, respectively. The intrinsic efficiency for a point source 10 cm from the first detector surface ranges from 1.5×10 −4 to 8.8×10 −6 for 500 keV–3 MeV.

Effects of mechanical alignment errors on Compton scatter imaging

The development of a prototype Compton scattering camera based on two 1 cm/sup 3/ cubic 3-D position sensitive CZT detectors is underway in our laboratory. As a practical problem, the mechanical alignment error may be larger than the 1 mm detector position resolution. This paper investigates the effects of any possible mechanical alignment error on the reconstructed images by Monte Carlo simulations. Our simulation results show that a minor misalignment can cause a significant distortion in the reconstructed image. Any alignment error will lead to a systematic error if the mechanical misalignment is not compensated for. Since the alignment error can cause a distinguishable distortion, system parameters can be adjusted during the image reconstruction procedure until an optimal image is obtained. In this manner, the mechanical alignment error can be automatically determined and compensated for. Our results indicate that any distortion due to alignment error can be eliminated and ensure the angular resolution remains only limited by the two detectors energy and position resolutions.

Recent advances in CZT strip detectors and coded mask imagers

The UCSD, WU, UCR and Nova collaboration has made significant progress on the necessary techniques for coded mask imaging of gamma-ray bursts: position sensitive CZT detectors with good energy resolution, ASIC readout, coded mask imaging, and background properties at balloon altitudes. Results on coded mask imaging techniques appropriate for wide field imaging and localization of gamma-ray bursts are presented, including a shadowgram and deconvolved image taken with a prototype detector/ASIC and MURA mask.