NUCAM3-a gamma camera based on segmented monolithic CdZnTe detectors

NUCAM3 is the latest generation of solid-state pixellated gamma cameras developed at Soreq NRC. The NUCAM3 head is based on segmented pad monolithic CdZnTe detectors that currently provide a useful field of view of 18.5 cm/spl times/20.1 cm. The camera is designed for cardiac SPECT, breast scintimammography, thyroid and other small organ evaluation. The camera contains 528 detectors. Each detector is 5 mm thick and is divided to a matrix of 16 square pixels, with a pitch of 2.1 mm. The use of pixellated CdZnTe detectors and low noise electronics provides a camera with an average energy resolution of 4.5% FWHM at 140.5 keV and 9.5% FWHM at 59.6 keV, and an intrinsic spatial resolution of 2.1 mm, regardless of the photon energy. We present the analysis of over 1300 CdZnTe monolithic detectors, the physical and imaging characteristics of the NUCAM3 camera and their comparison to state of the art Anger cameras. We show the advantages of CdZnTe technology which are due to the camera pixel structure and superior energy resolution. These advantages lead to better detectability of small size cold and hot lesions in a scatter environment.