Gamma-radiation imaging system based on the Compton effect

A novel gamma-ray camera is proposed that is based on the Compton effect. The basis of the device is a segmented semiconductor detector which is able to locate successive interaction points in multicollision trajectories and the associated energy losses. In this way, conic section can be computed on an image plane for each emission from a point source in the object. An overall image can be constructed by summation of the individual ellipses. The effect of measurement errors is investigated theoretically and by simulation, and leads to favourable estimates for the resolution and sensitivity of the camera. The question of image processing to improve performance is briefly discussed.