Use of a YAP:Ce matrix coupled to a position-sensitive photomultiplier for high resolution position emission tomography

A new scintillation detector system has been designed for application in high resolution Positron Emission Tomography (PET). The detector is a bundle of small YAlO3:Ce (YAP) crystals closely packed (0.2x0.2x3.0 cm(3)), coupled to a position sensitive photomultiplier tube (PSPMT). preliminary results obtained for spatial resolution, resolution, energy resolution and efficiency of two detectors working ill coincidence are presented. These are 1.2 mm for the FWHM spatial resolution, 2.0 ns for the FWHM time resolution and 20% for the FWHM energy resolution at 511 keV. The measured efficiency is (44 +/- 3)% with a 150 keV threshold and (20 +/- 2)% with a 300 keV threshold