Multi-PSPMT scintillating camera

Gamma-ray imaging is usually performed by a scintillating crystal coupled to a number of PMTs (Anger camera) or to a single PSPMT. Detection area and spatial resolution are the most critical parameters. Nuclear medicine, as well as astrophysics has need of a camera with a detection area larger than 400 cm/sup 2/, with an intrinsic spatial resolution of about 1 mm, light weight, and of low thickness and cost. In this paper the authors propose a new design for a large area scintillating camera based upon an array of Hamamatsu R5900-C8 PSPMTs. The basic concept of this new camera is the same as the Anger camera, but substituting conventional PMTs with PSPMTs. In this way it is possible to utilize narrow scintillation light distributions and at the same time to solve the problem of light position detection in the dead space between neighboring PSMTs. The novel prototype is analyzed and discussed in the 2/spl times/2 PSPMTs configuration. The main advantages of this camera are: spatial resolutions values less than 2 mm, good linearity, thickness less than 3 cm, light weight, cost lower than equivalent area PSPMT, no limitations in detection area when coupled to scintillating arrays, very limited dead boundary zone (<3 mm) and possibility to make irregular shapes.