Operation of a BaF2-TMAE prototype detector

A fully optimised BaF2-TMAE detector has been developed for use in Positron Emission Tomography (PET). As part of this work we have attempted to optimise the performance of this technology with respect to efficiency, timing (resolution and deadtime), and spatial resolution for 511 keV photons. We report for the first time on the detailed operation of our detector. Under stable operating conditions over an 8 hour period, we consistently obtain an absolute detection efficiency of 23.5% for an 8 mm thick crystal, simultaneously with 4 ns FWHM and 9.5 ns FWTM timing resolution and a spatial resolution of 6 mm FWHM. We also discuss how these parameters affect the performance of a full-size camera based on BaF2-TMAE detectors. ((orig.))