A Monte Carlo optical code for the study of gamma cameras based on a scintillator read out by a silicon photodetector array

A Monte Carlo optical code for the optimization of scintillation gamma cameras based on a single scintillator coupled to arrays of Si photodiodes (PDs) or Si drift detectors (SDDs) have been developed. The simulator allows to calculate the expected gain (e-/keV), position resolution and energy resolution of the gamma detector for different geometries and boundary conditions at the crystal interfaces. A validation of the algorithm has been carried out by comparing the results of the simulations with the corresponding experimental results obtained on existing prototypes of detectors recently developed. An example of application of the proposed code in the study of a small scintillation camera is also reported.