Measurement of gamma quantum interaction point in plastic scintillator with WLS strips

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a method to measure the gamma interaction point in plastic scintillators using WLS strips, achieving 5mm resolution, which can enhance PET scanner spatial accuracy.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach for axial coordinate measurement in plastic scintillators using WLS strips, improving spatial resolution for PET applications.

Findings

Achieved 5mm spatial resolution for gamma interaction point

Validated feasibility of using WLS strips for position measurement

Potential to enhance PET scanner resolution

Abstract

We demonstrated the feasibility of measuring the axial coordinate of a gamma quantum interaction point in a plastic scintillator bar via the detection of scintillation photons escaping from the scintillator with an array of wavelength-shifting (WLS) strips. Using a test set-up comprising a BC-420 scintillator bar and an~array of sixteen BC-482A WLS strips we achieved a spatial resolution of~5\,mm~($\sigma$) for annihilation photons from a $^{22}$Na isotope. The studied method can be used to improve the spatial resolution of a plastic-scintillator-based PET scanner which is being developed by the J-PET collaboration.