High resolution-3-D position sensitive detector for gamma rays
First Claim
1. A method for determining a position of a gamma ray interaction, the method comprising:
- emitting light in a medium in response to an interaction between a gamma ray and the medium;
determining a first multi-dimensional position of the interaction using a plurality of photodetectors; and
producing a drift field in the medium to direct ionization electrons resulting from the interaction to determine a second multi-dimensional position of the interaction based on a position of the ionization electrons.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for determining the position of a gamma ray interaction are disclosed. A medium that emits light in response to an interaction between a gamma ray and the medium is provided. A plurality of photodetectors is used to detect the light and determine a first three-dimensional position of the interaction. A field is produced in the medium that directs ionization electrons resulting from the interaction to a collector. A portion of a shutter system that corresponds to the interaction is opened. The shutter selectively blocks and permits the passage of the ionization electrons to the collector. A second three-dimensional position of the interaction is determined by localizing a two-dimensional position of the interaction in the collector and determining a third dimension based on a time of arrival of the ionization electrons relative to when the light is detected.
57 Citations
45 Claims
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1. A method for determining a position of a gamma ray interaction, the method comprising:
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emitting light in a medium in response to an interaction between a gamma ray and the medium;
determining a first multi-dimensional position of the interaction using a plurality of photodetectors; and
producing a drift field in the medium to direct ionization electrons resulting from the interaction to determine a second multi-dimensional position of the interaction based on a position of the ionization electrons. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for determining a position of gamma ray interaction, comprising:
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a region containing a medium, the medium being adapted to emit both ionization electrons and light in response to an interaction between a gamma ray and the medium;
a plurality of photodetectors, adapted to determine a first multi-dimensional position of the interaction;
a collector, adapted to determine a second multi-dimensional position of the interaction by localizing the position of the interaction in two dimensions in the collector based on a position of the ionization electrons collected in the collector; and
a plurality of field wires, adapted to produce a drift field in the medium that directs ionization electrons to the collector. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An apparatus for determining a position of a gamma ray interaction, the apparatus comprising:
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means for emitting light in a medium in response to an interaction between a gamma ray and the medium;
means for determining a first multi-dimensional position of the interaction from a detected distribution of light emitted from the medium; and
means for producing a drift field in the medium to direct ionization electrons resulting from the interaction from which a second multi-dimensional position of the interaction is determinable based on a position of the ionization electrons. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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35. An apparatus for determining a position of a gamma ray interaction, the apparatus comprising:
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means for emitting light in a medium in response to an interaction between a gamma ray and the medium;
means for determining a first multi-dimensional position of the interaction from a difference of times at which light emitted from the medium arrives at a plurality of photodetectors; and
means for producing a drift field in the medium to direct ionization electrons resulting from the interaction from which a second multi-dimensional position of the interaction is determinable based on a position of the ionization electrons. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38)
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39. An apparatus for determining a position of a gamma ray interaction, the apparatus comprising:
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means for emitting light in a medium in response to an interaction between a gamma ray and the medium;
means for determining a first multi-dimensional position of the interaction from a difference of times at which light emitted from the medium arrives at a plurality of photodetectors and from a distribution of light emitted from the medium and detected by the plurality of photodetectors; and
means for producing a drift field in the medium to direct ionization electrons resulting from the interaction from which a second multi-dimensional position of the interaction is determinable based on a position of the ionization electrons. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42)
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43. A method for determining a position of a gamma ray interaction, the method comprising:
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determining a first multi-dimensional position of the interaction from a distribution of light emitted from the medium, in response to an interaction between a gamma ray and the medium, and detected by a plurality of photodetectors; and
determining a second multi-dimensional position of the interaction from a position of ionization electrons resulting from the interaction, directed from a drift field produced in the medium.
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44. A method for determining a position of a gamma ray interaction, the method comprising:
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determining a first multi-dimensional position of the interaction from a difference of times at which light emitted from the medium, in response to an interaction between a gamma ray and the medium, arrives at a plurality of photodetectors; and
determining a second multi-dimensional position of the interaction from a position of ionization electrons resulting from the interaction, directed from a drift field produced in the medium.
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45. A method for determining a position of a gamma ray interaction, the method comprising:
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determining a first multi-dimensional position of the interaction from a distribution of light emitted from the medium in response to an interaction between a gamma ray and the medium and detected by a plurality of photodetectors, and from a difference of times at which the light arrives at the plurality of photodetectors; and
determining a second multi-dimensional position of the interaction from a position of ionization electrons resulting from the interaction, directed from a drift field produced in the medium.
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Specification