Optimization of scintillation detectors based on new and traditional materials for position-sensitive apparatus

Optimization of operation characteristics was carried out for various detection systems, in particular, for a large thin NaI(Tl) plate coupled with a set of photomultipliers (medical gamma-camera) and long prisms for computer tomographs. For that aim, light output was calculated as a function of scintillation point coordinates. For long prisms, light collection is controlled via choice of roughness degree of the top face opposite to photoreceiver. An enhancement of roughness entails an increase of the light output from the crystal point most remote from the photoreceiver; this can be, used for diminishing the axial nonuniformity of light output. Spatial resolution of a gamma-camera was optimized via choice of the lightguide thickness (its optimal value equals to the PMT diameter multiplied by 0.3).