The development of emission tomography for the nuclear industry

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a relatively recent technique of non-destructive examination which was pioneered in the medical field and which is currently finding applications in the nuclear industry. The technique provides information relating to the spatial distribution of one or more radio-nuclides within an object. However, a number of problems are inherent in the technique, chiefly associated with the attenuation of radiation prior to detection. The report describes work carried out to demonstrate the technique, using both real and simulated data; problems are discussed, and routes suggested to find satisfactory solutions. (author)