A theoretical model describing the light emission efficiency of single-crystal scintillators in the diagnostic energy range

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a theoretical model to examine emission features of single-crystal scintillators, used in medical imaging detectors, under X-ray excitation. For this purpose, the number of optical photons that were produced inside the crystal and escaped to the output was modeled for variant X-ray tube voltages in the energy range of Computed Tomography and for different thicknesses of the crystalline material. The theoretical model that was used to estimate the optimum dimensions and the radiation conditions of the crystal, was validated against experimental data obtained by a single-crystal scintillator irradiated by X-rays. For implementation a Gd2SiO5:Ce crystal was used. Theoretical and experimental results will be useful in designing Hybrid Tomographic imaging systems based on a common gamma-ray and X-ray detector (PET/CT or SPECT/CT). © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd and SISSA.