HIGH RESOLUTION 3-D POSITION SENSITIVE DETECTOR FOR GAMMA RAYS

摘要

A method and apparatus for determining the position of a gamma ray interaction are disclosed. A medium that emits light in response to an interaction between a gamma ray (150) and the medium (104) is provided. A plurality of photodetectors (102) is used to detect the light and determine a first three-dimensional position of the interaction. A field is produced in the medium (104) that directs ionization electrons resulting from the interaction to a collector (110). A portion of a shutter system (112) that corresponds to the interaction is opened. The shutter (112) selectively blocks and permits the passage of the ionization electrons to the collector (110). A second three-dimensional position of the interaction is determined by localizing a two-dimensional position of the interaction in the collector (110) and determining a third dimension based on a time of arrival of the ionization electrons relative to when the light is detected.