Design and performance evaluation of a new high resolution detector array module for PET

The authors have designed a 2-D detector-array module for high resolution PET. The module consists of a 16×18 matrix of crystals cut from a single BGO block coupled to a 3"×3" square envelope position-sensitive PMT. The performance of the detector module was studied using simulation techniques and the design was optimized to provide high resolution, good energy and timing characteristics, and ease in the construction. The energy resolution of the module at the photopeak was estimated to 27%, whereas the timing resolution of a coincident pair of detector modules was found to be 6.5 ns FWHM