CdZnTe detectors for the positron emission tomographic imaging of small animals

We report the timing performances between two cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) detectors equipped with a specific electrode geometry and a dedicated electronic setup for positron emission tomography (PET) application. The measured coincidence times reach 2,6ns Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) for a 500V bias voltage and 300keV energy threshold. Subsequently, a simulation study was carried out to assess the spatial and efficiency performances of these detectors which allow the Depth Of Interaction (DOI) measurement. Preliminary results show that the proposed design could reach a resolution better (1mm Full Width at Half Maximum instead of 2,5mm in the middle of the field of view) than what is achieved with the standard PET scintillation detectors. Experimental confirmation of this result is in progress.