Studies on the Cherenkov Effect for Improved Time Resolution of TOF-PET

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the Cherenkov effect can enhance the time resolution of TOF-PET by bypassing scintillation, with simulation and experimental evidence showing its potential to improve detector response times.

Contribution

It presents the first simulation and experimental validation of Cherenkov photons' role in improving TOF-PET timing resolution, highlighting their impact on detector response.

Findings

Cherenkov photons significantly influence scintillator rise time

Simulation shows high Cherenkov photon yield and favorable angular distribution

Experimental detection of Cherenkov photons at 511 keV is feasible

Abstract

With the newly gained interest in the time of flight method for positron emission tomography (TOF-PET), many options for pushing the time resolution to its borders have been investigated. As one of these options the exploitation of the Cherenkov effect has been proposed, since it allows to bypass the scintillation process and therefore provides almost instantaneous response to incident 511keV annihilation photons. Our simulation studies on the yield of Cherenkov photons, their arrival rate at the photon detector and their angular distribution reveal a significant influence by Cherenkov photons on the rise time of inorganic scintillators - a key-parameter for TOF in PET. A measurement shows the feasibility to detect Cherenkov photons in this low energy range.