Development of an MPPC detector for PET

We developed a new detector module for PET using multi-pixel photon counters (MPPCs). The detection area of the detector is 40 mm × 40 mm with an 8 × 8 MPPC array. The active area of each MPPC is 3 mm × 3 mm. The detector module contains preamplifiers, DACs for setting the bias offset, a 2D resistor network for position encoding, a high voltage module, a temperature sensor, and embedded MPUs. The MPPC gain depends on the atmospheric temperature. Temperature compensation was performed by changing the bias voltage. The timing resolution and the effect of dark counts were evaluated. The ability to identify small crystals was also examined.