Silicon photo-multipliers as photon detectors for PET

Abstract A novel photon detector, the Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM), has been tested in view of a photosensitive device for Positron Emission Tomography (PET), which is one of the most important non-invasive methods for in-depth and in vivo imaging of tissue. Such a device offers advantages over existing ones, including application in a magnetic field, better resolution and easier operation. Two PET modules have been constructed by coupling an array of Hamamatsu 3 mm×3 mm Multi-pixel photon Counters (MPPCs) and Photonique 2.2 mm×2.2 mm Solid-state Photomultipliers (SSPMs) to LYSO scintillation crystals. The results of studies of the two module prototypes are presented.