Study on double photon coincidence Compton imaging method

Compton imaging method has been applied for various applications including astronomical observations, radioactive waste management, and biomedical imaging. The location of radioisotopes is determined in the intersection of multiple cone traces through a large number of events, which reduces the signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution. We have developed an advanced Compton imaging method to localize radioisotopes with high signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution by detecting several gamma rays emitted simultaneously, as double photon coincidence Compton imaging method. The target radioisotopes of this imaging method are a certain type of nuclides that emits several gamma rays at the same time such as ⁶⁰Co, ¹³⁴Cs, and ¹¹¹In, etc. Since their locations can be determined in the intersection of two Compton cones at one event, the most of cone traces would disappear in three-dimensional space, which enhances signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution. In this paper, the comparison of the double photon coincidence Compton imaging method and normal Compton imaging method by using GEANT4 Monte Carlo simulation was reported. (author)