A double photon coincidence detection method for medical gamma-ray imaging
Mizuki Uenomachi, Kenji Shimazoe, Hiroyuki Takahashi
Abstract
Abstract Cascade nuclides emit two or more gamma rays successively through an intermediate state. The coincidence detection of cascade gamma rays provides several advantages in gamma-ray imaging. In this review article, three applications of the double photon coincidence method are reviewed. Double-photon emission imaging with mechanical collimators and Compton double-photon emission imaging can identify radioactive source positions with their angular-resolving detectors, and reduce the crosstalk between nuclides. In addition, a novel method of coincidence Compton imaging is proposed by taking coincidence detection between a Compton event and a photopeak events. Although this type of coincidence Compton imaging cannot specify the location, it can be useful in multi-nuclide Compton imaging.