Title :
Comparison of the beveled-edge and reach-through APD structures for PET applications
Author :
Paulus, Michael J. ; Rochelle, James M. ; Binkley, David M.
Author_Institution :
CTI PET Systems Inc., Knoxville, TN, USA
fDate :
30 Oct-5 Nov 1994
Abstract :
The electrical characteristics of the beveled-edge and reach-through APD structures are theoretically and experimentally analyzed to determine which is most suitable for incorporation into a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) detector. The beveled edge structure is found to have a lower excess noise factor and lower dark current, leading to a superior signal-to-noise ratio. The reach-through structure is found to have a lower operating voltage and faster speed of response. Because signal-to-noise ratio is fundamentally important to achieving the energy and timing resolutions required for PET detectors, we believe the beveled-edge Structure is more appropriate than the reach-through structure for PET applications. This finding is experimentally verified by comparing the performance of several commercially available beveled-edge and reach-through APDs
Keywords :
avalanche photodiodes; biomedical equipment; gamma-ray detection; positron emission tomography; semiconductor process modelling; silicon radiation detectors; PET applications; PET detector; Si; beveled-edge; electrical characteristics; energy; faster speed of response; lower dark current; lower excess noise factor; operating voltage; reach-through APD structures; signal-to-noise ratio; superior signal-to-noise ratio; timing resolutions; Application software; Dark current; Detectors; Energy resolution; Manufacturing; Numerical analysis; Positron emission tomography; Signal to noise ratio; Timing; Voltage;
Conference_Titel :
Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, 1994., 1994 IEEE Conference Record
Conference_Location :
Norfolk, VA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-2544-3
DOI :
10.1109/NSSMIC.1994.474702
