• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.7
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• pp.2633-2640
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• 2024

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the reflector, surface treatment, and length of scintillation crystals on the performance of a time-of-flight and depth-of-interaction (TOF-DOI) PET detector with a dual-ended readout and to determine the best reflector and surface treatment. Various types of crystal arrays with three different reflectors (ESR, BaSO₄, and Toray), three different lateral surface treatments (all-polished (AP), all-roughened (AR), and partially roughened (PR, three sides polished, and one side roughened)), and two different lengths (20 and 15 mm) were fabricated. The highest light collection efficiency and best energy resolution were achieved using a crystal with a diffuse reflector (BaSO₄ for AP and Toray for AR). In contrast, the best coincidence timing resolution (CTR) was achieved using an AR crystal with a specular reflector (ESR). The best DOI resolution was achieved using an AR crystal with BaSO₄. Moreover, the results measured with the 20 mm long crystals were similar to those measured with the 15 mm long crystals. Therefore, we concluded that the dual-ended readout PET detector employing the crystal with AR lateral surface treatment and ESR was a good candidate for TOF-DOI PET because it provided excellent CTR and adequate DOI resolution.