Testing CPT symmetry in ortho-positronium decays with positronium annihilation tomography
P. Moskal, A. Gajos, M. Mohammed, J. Chhokar, N. Chug, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, M. Dadgar, K. Dulski, M. Gorgol, J. Goworek, B. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, K. Kacprzak, Ł. Kapłon, H. Karimi, D. Kisielewska, K. Klimaszewski, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, T. Kozik, E. Kubicz, S. Niedźwiecki, S. Parzych, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, L. Raczyński, J. Raj, S. Sharma, S. Choudhary, R. Shopa, A. Sienkiewicz, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, E. Stepien, F. Tayefi, W. Wiślicki
abstract
Charged lepton system symmetry under combined charge, parity, and time-reversal transformation (CPT) remain scarcely tested. Despite stringent quantum-electrodynamic limits, discrepancies in predictions for the electron-positron bound state (positronium atom) motivate further investigation, including fundamental symmetry tests. While CPT noninvariance effects could be manifested in non-vanishing angular correlations between final-state photons and spin of annihilating positronium, measurements were previously limited by the knowledge of the latter. Here, we demonstrate tomographic reconstruction techniques applied to three-photon annihilations of ortho-positronium atoms to estimate their spin polarisation without a magnetic field or polarised positronium source. We use a plastic-scintillator-based positron-emission-tomography scanner to record ortho-positronium (o-Ps) annihilations with a single-event estimation of o-Ps spin and determine the complete spectrum of an angular correlation operator sensitive to CPT-violating effects. We find no violation at the precision level of 10^{-4}, with an over threefold improvement on the previous measurement.
The J-PET detector - a tool for precision studies of ortho-positronium decays
K. Dulski, S.D. Bass, J. Chhokar, N. Chug, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, M. Dadgar, J. Gajewski, A. Gajos, M. Gorgol, R. Del Grande, B.C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, K. Kacprzak, Ł. Kapłon, H. Karimi, D. Kisielewska, K. Klimaszewski, P. Kopka, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, P. Małczak, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, M. Pędziwiatr, L. Raczyński7, J. Raj, A. Ruciński, S. Sharma, Shivani, R.Y. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, E. Ł. Stępień, F. Tayefi, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska, P. Moskal
abstract
The J-PET tomograph is constructed from plastic scintillator strips arranged axially in concentric cylindrical layers. It enables investigations of positronium decays by measurement of the time, position, polarization and energy deposited by photons in the scintillators, in contrast to studies conducted so far with crystal and semiconductor based detection systems where the key selection of events is based on the measurement of the photons energies. In this article we show that the J-PET tomography system constructed solely from plastic scintillator detectors is capable of exclusive measurements of the decays of ortho-positronium atoms. We present the first positronium production results and its lifetime distribution measurements. The obtained results prove the capability of the J-PET tomograph for (i) fundamental studies of positronium decays (in particular test of discrete symmetries in purely leptonic systems), (ii) positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy, as well as (iii) molecular imaging diagnostics and (iv) observation of entanglement
3D TOF-PET image reconstruction using total variation regularization
L. Raczyński, W. Wiślicki, K. Klimaszewski, W. Krzemień, P. Kopka, P. Kowalski, R. Y. Shopa, M. Bała, J. Chhokar, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwinski, K. Dulski, J. Gajewski, A. Gajos, M. Gorgol, R. Del Grande, B. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, K. Kacprzak, L. Kapłon, D. Kisielewska, G. Korcyl, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, J. Raj, K. Rakoczy, A. Ruciński, S. Sharma, S. Shivani, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, E.Ł. Stepień, B. Zgardzińska, P. Moskal
abstract
In this paper we introduce a semi-analytic algorithm for 3-dimensional image reconstruction for positron emission tomography (PET). The method consists of the back-projection of the acquired data into the most likely image voxel according to time-of-flight (TOF) information, followed by the filtering step in the image space using an iterative optimization algorithm with a total variation (TV) regularization. TV regularization in image space is more computationally efficient than usual iterative optimization methods for PET reconstruction with a full system matrix that uses TV regularization. The efficiency comes from the one-time TOF back-projection step that might also be described as a reformatting of the acquired data. An important aspect of our work concerns the evaluation of the filter operator of the linear transform mapping an original radioactive tracer distribution into the TOF back-projected image. We obtain concise, closed-form analytical formula for the filter operator. The proposed method is validated with the Monte Carlo simulations of the NEMA IEC phantom using a one-layer, 50 cm-long cylindrical device called Jagiellonian PET scanner. The results show a better image quality compared with the reference TOF maximum likelihood expectation maximization algorithm.
Synchronisation and calibration of the 24-modules J-PET prototype with 300 mm axial field of view
P. Moskal, T. Bednarski, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Silarski, E. Czerwiński, T. Kozik, J. Chhokar, M. Bała, C. Curceanu, R. Del Grande, M. Dadgar, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, M. Gorgol, N. Gupta-Sharma, B. C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, K. Kacprzak, Ł. Kapłon, H. Karimi, D. Kisielewska, K.Klimaszewski, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, L. Raczyński, S. Sharma, Shivani, R. Y. Shopa, M. Skurzok, E. Stępień, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska
abstract
Research conducted in the framework of the J-PET project aims to develop a cost-effective total-body positron emission tomography scanner. As a first step on the way to construct a full-scale J-PET tomograph from long strips of plastic scintillators, a 24-strip prototype was built and tested. The prototype consists of detection modules arranged axially forming a cylindrical diagnostic chamber with an inner diameter of 360 mm and an axial field-of-view of 300 mm. Promising perspectives for a low-cost construction of a total-body PET scanner are opened due to an axial arrangement of strips of plastic scintillators, which have a small light attenuation, superior timing properties, and the possibility of cost-effective increase of the axial field-of-view. The presented prototype comprises dedicated solely digital front-end electronic circuits and a triggerless data acquisition system which required development of new calibration methods including time, thresholds and gain synchronization. The system and elaborated calibration methods including first results of the 24-module J-PET prototype are presented and discussed. The achieved coincidence resolving time equals to CRT = 490 +- 9 ps. This value can be translated to the position reconstruction accuracy s(Dl) = 18 mm which is fairly position-independent Keywords: positron emission tomography, plastic scintillators, J-PET.
Performance assessment of the 2gamma positronium imaging with the total-body PET scanners
P. Moskal, D. Kisielewska, Z. Bura, C. Chhokar, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, M. Dadgar, K. Dulski, J. Gajewski, A. Gajos, M. Gorgol, R. Del Grande, B. C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, K. Kacprzak, A. Kamińska, Ł. Kapłon, H. Karimi, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, T. Kozik, E. Kubicz, P. Małczak, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, M. Pędziwiatr, L. Raczyński, J. Raj, A. Ruciński, S. Sharma, Shivani, R. Y. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, E. Ł. Stępień, S. Vandenberghe, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska
abstract
In living organisms the positron-electron annihilation (occurring during the PET imaging) proceeds in about 30% via creation of a metastable ortho-positronium atom. In the tissue, due to the pick-off and conversion processes, over 98% of ortho-positronia annihilate into two 511~keV photons. In this article we assess the feasibility for reconstruction of the mean ortho-positronium lifetime image based on annihilations into two photons. The main objectives of this work include: (i) estimation of the sensitivity of the total-body PET scanners for the ortho-positronium mean lifetime imaging using 2gamma annihilations, and (ii) estimation of the spatial and time resolution of the ortho-positronium image as a function of the coincidence resolving time (CRT) of the scanner. Simulations are conducted assuming that radiopharmaceutical is labelled with 44Sc isotope emitting one positron and one prompt gamma. The image is reconstructed on the basis of triple coincidence events. The ortho-positronium lifetime spectrum is determined for each voxel of the image. Calculations were performed for cases of total-body detectors build of (i) LYSO scintillators as used in the EXPLORER PET, and (ii) plastic scintillators as anticipated for the cost-effective total-body J-PET scanner. To assess the spatial and time resolution the three cases were considered assuming that CRT is equal to 140ps, 50ps and 10ps. The estimated total-body PET sensitivity for the registration and selection of image forming triple coincidences is larger by a factor of 12.2 (for LYSO PET) and by factor of 4.7 (for plastic PET) with respect to the sensitivity for the standard 2gamma imaging by LYSO PET scanners with AFOV=20cm.
Estimating relationship between the Time Over Threshold and energy loss by photons in plastic scintillators used in the J-PET scanner
S. Sharma, J. Chhokar, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwinski, M. Dadgar, K. Dulski, J. Gajewski, A. Gajos, M. Gorgol, N. Gupta-Sharma, R. Del Grande, B. C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasinska, K. Kacprzak, L. Kaplon, H. Karimi, D. Kisielewska, K. Klimaszewski, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemien, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedzwiecki, M. Palka, M. Pawlik-Niedzwiecka, L. Raczynski, J. Raj, A. Rucinski, Shivani, R. Y. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, E. L. Stepien, W. Wislicki, B. Zgardzinska, P. Moskal
abstract
Time-Over-Threshold (TOT) technique is being used widely due to its implications in developing the multi channel readouts mainly when fast signal processing is required. Using TOT technique as a measure of energy loss instead of charge integration methods significantly reduces the signals readout cost by combining the time and energy information. Therefore, this approach can potentially be used in J-PET tomograph which is build from plastic scintillators characterized by fast light signals. The drawback in adopting this technique is lying in the non-linear correlation between input energy loss and TOT of the signal. The main motivation behind this work is to develop the relationship between TOT and energy loss and validate it with the J-PET tomograph.
The experiment was performed using the 22Na beta emitter source placed in the center of the J-PET tomograph. One can obtain primary photons of two different energies: 511 keV photon from the annihilation of positron (direct annihilation or through the formation of para-Positronim atom or pick-off process of ortho-Positronium atoms), and 1275 keV prompt photon. This allows to study the correlation between TOT values and energy loss for energy range up to 1000 keV. As the photon interacts dominantly via Compton scattering inside the plastic scintillator, there is no direct information of primary photon energy. However, using the J-PET geometry one can measure the scattering angle of the interacting photon. Since, 22Na source emits photons of two different energies, it is required to know unambiguously the energy of incident photons and its corresponding scattering angle for the estimation of energy deposition. In this work, the relationship between Time Over Threshold and energy loss by interacting photons inside the plastic scintillators used in J-PET scanner is established for a energy deposited range 100-1000 keV.
Hit-time and hit-position reconstruction in strips of plastic scintillators using multi-threshold readouts
N. G. Sharma, M. Silarski, J. Chhokar, E. Czerwinski, C. Curceanu, K. Dulski, K. Farbaniec, A. Gajos, R. Del Grande, M. Gorgol, B. C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasinska, K. Kacprzak, L. Kaplon, D. Kisielewska, K. Klimaszewski, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemien, T. Kozik, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedzwiecki, M. Palka, M. Pawlik-Niedzwiecka, L. Raczynski, J. Raj, S. Sharma, S. Shivani, R. Y. Shopa, M. Skurzok, W. Wislicki, B. Zgardzinska, P. Moskal
abstract
In this article a new method for the reconstruction of hit-position and hit-time of photons in long scintillator detectors is investigated. This research is motivated by the recent development of the positron emission tomography scanners based on plastic scintillators. The proposed method constitutes a new way of signal processing in Multi-Voltage-Technique. It is based on the determination of the degree of similarity between the registered signals and the synchronized model signals stored in a library. The library was established for a set of well defined hit-positions along the length of the scintillator. The Mahalanobis distance was used as a measure of similarity between the two compared signals. The method was validated on the experimental data measured using two-strips J-PET prototype with dimensions of 5x9x300 mm. The obtained Time-of-Flight (TOF) and spatial resolutions amount to 325 ps (FWHM) and 25 mm (FWHM), respectively. The TOF resolution was also compared to the results of an analogous study done using Linear Fitting method. The best TOF resolution was obtained with this method at four pre-defined threshold levels which was comparable to the resolution achieved from the Mahalanobis distance at two pre-defined threshold levels. Although the algorithm of Linear Fitting method is much simpler to apply than the Mahalanobis method, the application of the Mahalanobis distance requires a lower number of applied threshold levels and, hence, decreases the costs of electronics used in PET scanner.
Feasibility study of the positronium imaging with the J-PET tomograph
P. Moskal, D. Kisielewska, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, M. Gorgol, B. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, K. Kacprzak, Ł. Kapłon, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, W. Krzemień, T. Kozik, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, L. Raczyński, J. Raj, S. Sharma, Shivani, R.Y. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, E. Stępień, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska
abstract
A detection system of the conventional PET tomograph is set-up to record data from e+ e- annihilation into two photons with energy of 511 keV, and it gives information on the density distribution of a radiopharmaceutical in the body of the object. In this paper we explore the possibility of performing the three gamma photons imaging based on ortho- positronium annihilation, as well as the possibility of positronium average lifetime imaging with the J-PET tomograph constructed from plastic scintillators. For this purposes simulations of the ortho-positronium formation and its annihilation into three photons were performed taking into account distributions of photons' momenta as predicted by the theory of quantum electrodynamics and the response of the J-PET tomograph. In order to test the proposed ortho-positronium lifetime image reconstruction method, we concentrate on the decay of the ortho-positronium into three photons and applications of radiopharmaceuticals labeled with isotopes emitting a prompt gamma quantum. The proposed method of imaging is based on the determination of hit-times and hit-positions of registered photons which enables the reconstruction of the time and position of the annihilation point as well as the lifetime of the ortho-positronium on an event-by-event basis. We have simulated the production of the positronium in a cylindrical phantom composed of a set of different materials in which the ortho-positronium lifetime varied from 2 ns to ~2.9 ns, as expected for ortho-positronium created in the human body. The presented reconstruction method for total-body J-PET like detector allows to achieve a mean lifetime resolution of about 40 ps. Recent Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy measurements of cancerous and healthy uterine tissues show that this sensitivity may allow to study the morphological changes in cell structures.
Simulation studies of annihilation-photon's polarisation via Compton scattering with the J-PET tomograph
N. Krawczyk, B.C. Hiesmayr, J. Chhokar, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, M. Gorgol, N. Gupta-Sharma, B. Jasińska, D. Kisielewska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, W. Krzemień, T. Kozik, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, L. Raczyński, J. Raj, K. Rakoczy, Z. Rudy, S. Sharma, Shivani, R.Y. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal
abstract
J-PET is the first positron-emission tomograph (PET) constructed from plastic scintillators. It was optimized for the detection of photons from electron-positron annihilation. Such photons, having an energy of 511 keV, interact with electrons in plastic scintillators predominantly via the Compton effect. Compton scattering is at most probable at an angle orthogonal to the electric field vector of the interacting photon. Thus registration of multiple photon scatterings with J-PET enables to determine the polarization of the annihilation photons. In this contribution we present estimates on the physical limitation in the accuracy of the polarization determination of 511 keV photons with the J-PET detector.
Feasibility studies of the polarization of photons beyond the optical wavelength regime with the J-PET detector
P. Moskal, N. Krawczyk, B. C. Hiesmayr, M. Bała, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwinski, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, M. Gorgol, R. Del Grande, B. Jasinska, K. Kacprzak, L. Kapłon, D. Kisielewska, K. Klimaszewski, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemien, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, L. Raczynski, J. Raj, Z. Rudy, S. Sharma, M. Silarski, Shivani, R. Y. Shopa, M. Skurzok, W. Wislicki, B. Zgardzinska
abstract
J-PET is a detector optimized for registration of photons from the electron-positron annihilation via plastic scintillators where photons interact predominantly via Compton scattering. Registration of both primary and scattered photons enables to determinate the linear polarization of the primary photon on the event by event basis with a certain probability. Here we present quantitative results on the feasibility of such polarization measurements of photons from the decay of positronium with the J-PET and explore the physical limitations for the resolution of the polarization determination of 511keV photons via Compton scattering. For scattering angles of about 82 degree (where the best contrast for polarization measurement is theoretically predicted) we find
that the single event resolution for the determination of the polarization is about 40 degree (predominantly due to properties
of the Compton effect). However, for samples larger than ten thousand events the J-PET is capable of determining relative average polarization of these photons with the precision of about few degrees. The obtained results open new perspectives for studies of various physics phenomena such as quantum entanglement and tests of discrete symmetries in decays of positronium and extend the energy range of polarization measurements by five orders of magnitude beyond the optical wavelength regime.
Evaluation of Single-Chip, Real-Time Tomographic Data Processing on FPGA - SoC Devices
G. Korcyl, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, B. Flak, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, M. Gorgol, B. C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, K. Kacprzak, M. Kajetanowicz, D. Kisielewska, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pawlik- Niedźwiecka, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, P. Rajda, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, N. G. Sharma, S. Sharma, R. Y. Shopa, M. Skurzok, M. Silarski, P. Strzempek, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, R. Zaleski, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal
abstract
A novel approach to tomographic data processing
has been developed and evaluated using the Jagiellonian PET (J-
PET) scanner as an example. We propose a system in which there
is no need for powerful, local to the scanner processing facility,
capable to reconstruct images on the fly. Instead we introduce a
Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) System-on-Chip (SoC)
platform connected directly to data streams coming from the
scanner, which can perform event building, filtering, coincidence
search and Region-Of-Response (ROR) reconstruction by the
programmable logic and visualization by the integrated
processors. The platform significantly reduces data volume
converting raw data to a list-mode representation, while
generating visualization on the fly.
A feasibility study of the time reversal violation test based on polarization of annihilation photons from the decay of ortho-Positronium with the J-PET detector
J. Raj, A. Gajos, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, M. Gorgol, N. Gupta-Sharma, B. C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, K. Kacprzak, Ł. Kapłon, D. Kisielewska, K. Klimaszewski, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, L. Raczyński, K. Rakoczy, Z. Rudy, S. Sharma, Shivani, R.Y. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska, P. Moskal
abstract
The Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomograph (J-PET) is a novel device being developed at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland based on organic scintillators. J-PET is an axially symmetric and high acceptance scanner that can be used as a multi-purpose detector system. It is well suited to pursue tests of discrete symmetries in decays of positronium in addition to medical
imaging. J-PET enables the measurement of both momenta and the polarization vectors of annihilation photons. The latter is a unique feature of the J-PET detector which allows the study of time reversal symmetry violation operator which can be constructed solely from the annihilation photons momenta before and after the scattering in the detector.
Commissioning of the J-PET detector in view of the positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy
K. Dulski, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, A. Gajos, M. Gorgol, N. Gupta-Sharma, B. C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, K. Kacprzak, Ł. Kapłon, D. Kisielewska, K. Klimaszewski, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, T. Kozik, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, L. Raczyński, J. Raj, K. Rakoczy, Z. Rudy, S. Sharma, Shivani, R. Y. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska, P. Moskal
abstract
The Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomograph (J-PET) is the first PET device built from plastic scintillators. It is a multi-purpose detector designed for medical imaging and for studies of properties of positronium atoms in porous matter and in living organisms. In this article we report on the commissioning of the J-PET detector in view of studies of positronium decays. We present results of analysis of the positron lifetime measured in the porous polymer. The obtained results prove that J-PET is capable of performing simultaneous imaging of the density distribution of annihilation points as well as positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy.
Feasibility study of the time reversal symmetry tests in decay of metastable positronium atoms with the J-PET detector
A. Gajos, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwinski, K. Dulski, M. Gorgol, N. Gupta-Sharma, B.C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasinska, K. Kacprzak, L. Kaplon, D. Kisielewska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemien, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz Niedzwiecki, M. Paalka, M. Pawlik-Niedzwiecka, L. Raczynski, J. Raj, Z. Rudy, S. Sharma, Shivani, R. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, W. Wislicki, B. Zgardzinska, M. Zielinski, P. Moskal
abstract
This article reports on the feasibility of testing of the symmetry under reversal in time in a purely leptonic system constituted by positronium atoms using the J-PET detector. The present state of T symmetry tests is discussed with an emphasis on the scarcely explored sector of leptonic systems. Two possible strategies of searching for manifestations of T violation in non-vanishing angular correlations of final state observables in the decays of metastable triplet states of positronium available with J-PET are proposed and discussed. Results of a pilot measurement with J-PET and assessment of its performance in reconstruction of three-photon decays are shown along with an analysis of its impact on the sensitivity of the detector for the determination of T -violation sensitive observables.
Estimating the NEMA characteristics of the J-PET tomograph using the GATE package
P. Kowalski, W. Wiślicki, R.Y. Shopa, L. Raczyński, K. Klimaszewski, C. Curcenau, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, M. Gorgol, N. Gupta-Sharma, B. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, Ł. Kapłon, D. Kisielewska-Kamińska, G. Korcyl, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, J. Raj, K. Rakoczy, Z. Rudy, S. Sharma, S. Shivani, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal
abstract
A novel whole-body positron emission tomography (PET) system based on plastic scintillators is
developed by the J-PET Collaboration. It consists of plastic scintillator strips arranged axially in the
form of a cylinder, allowing the cost-effective construction of the total-body PET system. In order to
determine the properties of the scanner prototype and optimize its geometry, advanced computer
simulations were performed using the GATE (Geant4 application for tomographic emission)
software.
The spatial resolution, sensitivity, scatter fraction and noise equivalent count rate were estimated
according to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association norm, as a function of the length
of the tomograph, the number of detection layers, the diameter of the tomographic chamber and
for various types of applied readout. For the single-layer geometry with a diameter of 85 cm, a strip
length of 100 cm, a cross-section of 4 mm × 20 mm and silicon photomultipliers with an additional
layer of wavelength shifter as the readout, the spatial resolution (full width at half maximum) in
the centre of the scanner is equal to 3 mm (radial, tangential) and 6 mm (axial). For the analogous
double-layer geometry with the same readout, diameter and scintillator length, with a strip crosssection
of 7 mm × 20 mm, a noise equivalent count rate peak of 300 kcps was reached at 40 kBq cc?1
activity concentration, the scatter fraction is estimated to be about 35% and the sensitivity at the
centre amounts to 14.9 cps kBq?1. Sensitivity profiles were also determined.
A Method to Produce Linearly Polarized Positrons and Positronium Atoms with the J-PET Detector
M. Mohammed, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, M. Gorgol, B.C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, D. Kisielewska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, J. Raj, Z. Rudy, N.G. Sharma, S. Sharma, Shivani, M. Skurzok, M. Silarski, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal
abstract
A method for creating linearly polarized positrons and ortho-positronium (o-Ps) atoms with the J-PET detector is presented. The unique geometry and properties of the J-PET tomography enable one to design a positron source such that the quantization axis for the estimation of the linear polarization of produced o-Ps can be determined on the event by event basis in a direction of the positron motion. We intend to use 22Na or other beta+ decay isotopes as a source of polarized positrons. Due to the parity violation in the beta decay, the emitted positrons are longitudinally polarized. The choice of the quantization axis is based on the known position of the positron emitter and the reconstructed position of the positronium annihilation. We show that the J-PET tomography is equipped with all needed components.
Human Tissue Investigations Using PALS Technique - Free Radicals Influence
B. Jasińska, B. Zgardzińska, G. Chołubek, M. Pietrow, M. Gorgol, K. Wiktor, K. Wysogląd, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, B.C. Hiesmayr, B. Jodłowska-Jędrych, D. Kamińska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, N.G. Sharma, S. Sharma, R. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, A. Wieczorek, H. Wiktor, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal
abstract
The positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy was applied to the samples of the human uterine leiomyomas and the normal myometrium tissues taken from the selected place of the uterus during a surgery. The method indicated differences in values of the measured positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy parameters (lifetimes and intensities) between healthy and diseased tissue samples. The additional measurements were performed either in darkness or in presence of visible light which influenced the free radicals present in both kind of tissues and, as a result, made changes in free annihilation and o-Ps decay lifetime and intensity values.
Preliminary Studies of J-PET Detector Spatial Resolution
M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, S. Niedźwiecki, D. Alfs, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, M. Gorgol, B. C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, D. Kisielewska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, J. Raj, Z. Rudy, Shivani, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, N.G. Sharma, S. Sharma, R.Y. Shopa, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal
abstract
The J-PET detector, based on long plastic scintillator strips, was recently constructed at the Jagiellonian University. It consists of 192 modules axially arranged into three layers, read out from both sides by digital constant-threshold front-end electronics. This work presents preliminary results of measurements of the spatial resolution of the J-PET tomograph performed with 22Na source placed at selected position inside the detector chamber.
Analysis procedure of the positronium lifetime spectra for the J-PET detector
K. Dulski , B. Zgardzińska , P. Białas , C. Curceanu E. Czerwiński , A. Gajos , B. Głowacz , M. Gorgol , B. C. Hiesmayr , B. Jasińska , D. Kisielewska-Kamińska , G. Korcyl , P. Kowalski , T. Kozik , N. Krawczyk , W. Krzemień , E. Kubicz , M. Mohammed , M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, S. Niedźwiecki , M. Pałka , L. Raczyński , J. Raj , Z. Rudy , N. G. Sharma, S. Sharma, Shivani, R. Y. Shopa, M. Silarski , M. Skurzok , A. Wieczorek , W. Wiślicki , M. Zieliński , P. Moskal
abstract
Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS) has shown to be a powerful tool to study the nanostructures of porous materials. Positron Emissions Tomography (PET) are devices allowing imaging of metabolic processes e.g. in human bodies. A newly developed device, the J-PET (Jagiellonian PET), will allow PALS in addition to imaging, thus combining both analyses providing new methods for physics and medicine. In this contribution we present a computer program that is compatible with the J-PET software. We compare its performance with the standard program LT 9.0 by using PALS data from hexane measurements at different temperatures. Our program is based on an iterative procedure, and our fits prove that it performs as good as LT 9.0.
Introduction of total variation regularization into filtered backprojection algorithm
L. Raczyński, W. Wiślicki, K. Klimaszewski, W. Krzemień, P. Kowalski, R. Shopa, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, M. Gorgol, B. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, D. Kisielewska-Kamińska, G. Korcyl, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, Z. Rudy, N.G. Sharma, S. Sharma, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, A. Wieczorek, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal
abstract
In this paper we extend the state-of-the-art filtered backprojection (FBP) method with application of the concept of Total Variation regularization. We compare the performance of the new algorithm with the most common form of regularizing in the FBP image reconstruction via apodizing functions. The methods are validated in terms of cross-correlation coefficient between reconstructed and real image of radioactive tracer distribution using standard Derenzo-type phantom. We demonstrate that the proposed approach results in higher cross-correlation values with respect
to the standard FBP method.
Time calibration of the J-PET detector
M. Skurzok, M. Silarski, D. Alfs, P. Bialas, Shivani, C. Curceanu , E. Czerwinski , K. Dulski , A. Gajos, B. G lowacz , M. Gorgol, B. C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasinska, D. Kisielewska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik , N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemien, E. Kubicz , M. Mohammed, M. Pawlik-Niedzwiecka, S. Niedzwiecki, M. Palka, L. Raczynski , J. Raj, Z. Rudy, N. G. Sharma, S. Sharma , R. Y. Shopa , A. Wieczorek, W. Wislicki , B. Zgardzinska, M. Zielinski, P. Moskal
abstract
The Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomograph (J-PET) project carried out in the Institute of Physics of the Jagiellonian University is focused on construction and tests of the first prototype of PET scanner for medical diagnostic which allows for the simultaneous 3D imaging of the whole human body using organic scintillators. The J-PET prototype consists of 192 scintillator strips forming three cylindrical layers which are optimized for the detection of photons from the electron-positron annihilation with high time- and high angular-resolutions. In this article we present time calibration and synchronization of the whole J-PET detection system by irradiating each single detection module with a 22Na source and a small detector providing common reference time for synchronization of all the modules.
Novel scintillating material 2-(4-styrylphenyl)benzoxazole for the fully digital and MRI compatible J-PET tomograph based on plastic scintillators
A. Wieczorek, K. Dulski, Sz. Niedźwiecki, D. Alfs, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, A. Danel, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, M. Gorgol, B. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, K. Kacprzak, D. Kamińska, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Kucharek, M. Mohammed, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, N. G. Sharma, M. Silarski, T. Uchacz, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal
abstract
A novel
plastic
scintillator
is developed
for
the
application
in the
digital
positron
emission
tomography
(PET).
The
novelty
of the
concept
lies
in application
of the
2-(4-styrylphenyl)
benzoxazole
as
a wavelength
shifter.
The
substance
has
not
been
used
as
scintillator
dop-
ant
before.
A dopant
shifts
the
scintillation
spectrum
towards
longer
wavelengths
making
it
more
suitable
for
applications
in scintillators
of long
strips
geometry
and
light
detection
with
digital
silicon
photomultipliers.
These
features
open
perspectives
for
the
construction
of the
cost-effective
and
MRI-compatib
le PET
scanner
with
the
large
field
of view.
In this
article
we
present
the
synthesis
method
and
characterize
performance
of the
elaborated
scintillator
by
determining
its
light
emission
spectrum,
light
emission
efficiency,
rising
and
decay
time
of
the
scintillation
pulses
and
resulting
timing
resolution
when
applied
in the
positron
emission
tomography.
The
optimal
concentratio
n of the
novel
wavelength
shifter
was
established
by
maximizing
the
light
output
and
it was
found
to be
0.05
?
for
cuboidal
scintillator
with
dimen-
sions
of 14
mm
x 14
mm
x 20
mm.
Commissioning of the J-PET Detector for Studies of Decays of Positronium Atoms
E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, M. Gorgol, B.C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, D. Kisielewska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, N.G. Sharma, S. Sharma, R.Y. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal
abstract
The Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomograph (J-PET) is a detector for medical imaging of the whole human body as well as for physics studies involving detection of electron?positron annihilation into photons. J-PET has high angular and time resolution, and allows for measurement of spin of the positronium and the momenta and polarization vectors of annihilation quanta. In this article, we present the potential of the J-PET system for the background rejection in the decays of positronium atoms.
J-PET: A New Technology for the Whole-body PET Imaging
S. Niedźwiecki, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, M. Gorgol, B.C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, Ł. Kapłon, D. Kisielewska-Kamińska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, N.G. Sharma, S. Sharma, R.Y. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal
abstract
The Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomograph (J-PET) is the first PET built from plastic scintillators. J-PET prototype consists of 192 detection modules arranged axially in three layers forming a cylindrical diagnostic chamber with the inner diameter of 85 cm and the axial field-of-view of 50 cm. An axial arrangement of long strips of plastic scintillators, their small light attenuation, superior timing properties, and relative ease of the increase of the axial field-of-view opens promising perspectives for the cost effective construction of the whole-body PET scanner, as well as construction of MR and CT compatible PET inserts. Present status of the development of the J-PET tomograph will be presented and discussed.
Three-dimensional Image Reconstruction in J-PET Using Filtered Back-projection Method
R.Y. Shopa, K. Klimaszewski, P. Kowalski, W. Krzemień, L. Raczyński, W. Wiślicki, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, M. Gorgol, B. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, D. Kisielewska-Kamińska, G. Korcyl, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, Z. Rudy, N.G. Sharma, S. Sharma, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, A. Wieczorek, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal
abstract
We present a method and preliminary results of the image reconstruction in the Jagiellonian PET tomograph. Using GATE (Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission), interactions of the 511 keV photons with a cylindrical detector were generated. Pairs of such photons, flying back-to-back, originate from e+e? annihilations inside a 1 mm spherical source. Spatial and temporal coordinates of hits were smeared using experimental resolutions of the detector. We incorporated the algorithm of the 3D Filtered Back Projection, implemented in the STIR and TomoPy software packages, which differ in approximation methods. Consistent results for the Point Spread Functions of ? 5 ÷ 7 mm and ? 9 ÷ 20 mm were obtained, using STIR, for transverse and longitudinal directions, respectively, with no time-of-flight information included.
Human Tissues Investigation Using PALS Technique
B. Jasińska, B. Zgardzińska, G. Chołubek, M. Gorgol, K. Wiktor, K. Wysogląd, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, B. Hiesmayr, B. Jodłowska-Jędrych, D. Kamińska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, N.G. Sharma, S. Sharma, R. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, A. Wieczorek, H. Wiktor, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal
abstract
Samples of uterine leiomyomatis and normal tissues taken from patients after surgery were investigated using the Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS). Significant differences in all PALS parameters between normal and diseased tissues were observed. For all studied patients, it was found that the values of the free annihilation and ortho-positronium lifetime are larger for the tumorous tissues than for the healthy ones. For most of the patients, the intensity of the free annihilation and ortho-positronium annihilation was smaller for the tumorous than for the healthy tissues. For the first time, in this kind of studies, the 3? fraction of positron annihilation was determined to describe changes in the tissue porosity during morphologic alteration.
Human Tissues Investigation Using PALS Technique
B. Jasińska, B. Zgardzińska, G. Chołubek, M. Gorgol, K. Wiktor, K. Wysogląd, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, B.C. Hiesmayr, B. Jodłowska-Jędrych, D. Kamińska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, N.G. Sharma, S. Sharma, R. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, A. Wieczorek, H. Wiktor, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal
abstract
Samples of uterine leiomyomatis and normal tissues taken from patients
after surgery were investigated using the Positron Annihilation Lifetime
Spectroscopy (PALS). Significant differences in all PALS parameters
between normal and diseased tissues were observed. For all studied patients,
it was found that the values of the free annihilation and orthopositronium
lifetime are larger for the tumorous tissues than for the healthy
ones. For most of the patients, the intensity of the free annihilation and
ortho-positronium annihilation was smaller for the tumorous than for the
healthy tissues. For the first time, in this kind of studies, the 3gamma fraction
of positron annihilation was determined to describe changes in the tissue
porosity during morphologic alteration.
Calculation of the time resolution of the J-PET tomograph using kernel density estimation
L. Raczyński, W. Wiślicki, W. Krzemień, P. Kowalski, D. Alfs, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, M. Gorgol, B. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, D. Kamińska, G. Korcyl, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, N. Gupta-Sharma, M. Silarski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński and P. Moskal
abstract
In this paper we estimate the time resolution of the J-PET scanner built from plastic scintillators. We incorporate the method of signal processing using the Tikhonov regularization framework and the kernel density estimation method. We obtain simple, closed-form analytical formulae for time resolution. The proposed method is validated using signals registered by means of the single detection unit of the J-PET tomograph built from a 30?cm long plastic scintillator strip. It is shown that the experimental and theoretical results obtained for the J-PET scanner equipped with vacuum tube photomultipliers are consistent.
Measurement of gamma quantum interaction point in plastic scintillator with WLS strips
J. Smyrski, D. Alfs, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, N. Gupta-Sharma, M. Gorgol, B. Jasińska, M. Kajetanowicz, D. Kamińska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, W. Krzemień, N. Krawczyk, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, M. Silarski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, J. Wojnarska, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal
abstract
The feasibility of measuring the aśxial coordinate of a gamma quantum interaction point in a plastic scintillator
bar via the detection of scintillation photons escaping from the scintillator with an array of wavelength-shifting
(WLS) strips is demonstrated. Using a test set-up comprising a BC-420 scintillator bar and an array of sixteen
BC-482A WLS strips we achieved a spatial resolution of 5 mm (?) for annihilation photons from a 22Na isotope.
The studied method can be used to improve the spatial resolution of a plastic-scintillator-based PET scanner
which is being developed by the J-PET collaboration.
J-PET: A Novel TOF -PET scanner using Organic Scintillators
N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, D. Alfs, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, M. Gorgol, B. Jasińska, D. Kamińska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, W. Krzemień, N. Krawczyk, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, A. Wieczorek, W. Wislicki, M. Zieliński, B. Zgardzińska, P. Moskal
abstract
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is one of the most advanced nuclear medicine imaging techniques that
have potential to identify many diseases (like cancers, heart diseases, neurological disorders and other abnormalities) in vivo in the earliest stages. However, production of PET modalities for covering the whole human body is economically unrealistic when applying the current technologies. In order to achieve a goal of more economical PET scanner with large geometrical acceptance and improved time resolution, the Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomography (J-PET) Collaboration is realizing a new project aiming at construction of TOF-PET detector using plastic scintillators instead of crystals. Novelty of the J-PET scanner lies in: (i) application of plastic scintillators as well as in (ii) its front-end electronics which allows signal sampling in voltage domain, (iii) a trigger-less data acquisition system, and (iv) the new time and hit-position reconstruction methods. Moreover, the proposed solution enables to increase the axial field-of-view of the tomograph by extending the length of the plastic scintillator strips without changing the number of photomultipliers and electronic channels.
A feasibility study of ortho-positronium decays measurement with the J-PET scanner based on plastic scintillators
D. Kamińska, A. Gajos, E. Czerwiński, D. Alfs, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, K. Dulski, B. Głowacz, N. Gupta-Sharma, M. Gorgol, B. C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, W. Krzemień, N. Krawczyk, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, M. Silarski, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal
abstract
We present a study of the application of the Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomograph (J-PET) for the registration of gamma quanta from decays of ortho-positronium (o-Ps). The J-PET is the first positron emission tomography scanner based on organic scintillators in contrast to all current PET scanners based on inorganic crystals. Monte Carlo simulations show that the J-PET as an axially symmetric and high acceptance scanner can be used as a multi-purpose detector well suited to pursue research including e.g. tests of discrete symmetries in decays of ortho-positronium in addition
to the medical imaging. The gamma quanta originating from o-Ps decay interact in the plastic scintillators predominantly via the Compton effect, making the direct measurement of their energy impossible. Nevertheless, it is shown in this paper that the J-PET scanner will enable studies of the o-Ps->3g decays with angular and energy resolution equal to sigma(theta) = 0.4^{circ} and sigma(E) = 4.1 keV, respectively. An order of magnitude shorter decay time of signals from plastic scintillators with respect to the inorganic crystals results not only in better timing properties crucial for the reduction of physical and instrumental background, but also suppresses significantly the pileups, thus enabling compensation of the lower efficiency of the plastic scintillators by performing measurements with higher positron source activities.
Determination of the 3gamma Fraction from Positron Annihilation in Mesoporous Materials for Symmetry Violation Experiment with J-PET Scanner
B. Jasińska, M. Gorgol, M. Wiertel, R. Zaleski, D. Alfs, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos B. Głowacz, D. Kamińska, Ł. Kapłon, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal
abstract
Various mesoporous materials were investigated to choose the best material for experiments requiring high yield of long-lived positronium. We found that the fraction of 3? annihilation determined using ?-ray energy spectra and positron annihilation lifetime spectra (PAL) changed from 20% to 25%. The 3? fraction and o-Ps formation probability in the polymer XAD-4 is found to be the largest. Elemental analysis performed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscope EDS shows high purity of the investigated materials.
Sampling FEE and Trigger-less DAQ for the J-PET Scanner
G. Korcyl, D. Alfs, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, B. Jasińska, D. Kamińska Ł. Kapłon, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, K. Stoła, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, B.K. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal
abstract
In this paper, we present a complete Data Acquisition System (DAQ) together with the readout mechanisms for the J-PET tomography scanner. In general, detector readout chain is constructed out of Front-End Electronics (FEE) measurement devices such as Time-to-Digital or Analog-to-Digital Converters (TDCs or ADCs), data collectors and storage. We have developed a system capable for maintaining continuous readout of digitized data without preliminary selection. Such operation mode results in up to 8 Gbps data stream, therefore, it is required to introduce a dedicated module for on-line event building and feature extraction. The Central Controller Module, equipped with Xilinx Zynq SoC and 16 optical transceivers, serves as such true real time computing facility. Our solution for the continuous data recording (trigger-less) is a novel approach in such detector systems and assures that most of the information is preserved on the storage for further, high-level processing. Signal discrimination applies a unique method of using LVDS buffers located in the FPGA fabric.
Beam Profile Investigation of the New Collimator System for the J-PET Detector
E. Kubicz, M. Silarski, A. Wieczorek, D. Alfs, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, B. Jasińska D. Kamińska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, M. Mohammed, I. Moskal, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, A. Strzelecki, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński, B. Zgardzińska, P. Moskal
abstract
Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomograph (J-PET) is a multi-purpose detector which will be used for search for discrete symmetries violations in the decays of positronium atoms and for investigations with positronium atoms in life-sciences and medical diagnostics. In this article, we present three methods for determination of the beam profile of collimated annihilation gamma quanta. Precise monitoring of this profile is essential for time and energy calibration of the J-PET detector and for the determination of the library of model signals used in the hit-time and hit-position reconstruction. We have shown that usage of two lead bricks with dimensions of 5 × 10 × 20 cm3 enables to form a beam of annihilation quanta with Gaussian profile characterized by 1 mm FWHM. Determination of this characteristic is essential for designing and construction the collimator system for the 24-module J-PET prototype. Simulations of the beam profile for different collimator dimensions were performed. This allowed us to choose optimal collimation system in terms of the beam profile parameters, dimensions and weight of the collimator taking into account the design of the 24-module J-PET detector.
Trilateration-based reconstruction of ortho-positronium decays into three photons with the J-PET detector
A. Gajos, D. Kamińska, E. Czerwiński, D. Alfs, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, B. Głowacz, M. Gorgol, B. Jasińska, Ł. Kapłon, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal
abstract
This work reports on a new reconstruction algorithm allowing us to reconstruct the decays of ortho-positronium atoms into three photons using the places and times of photons recorded in the detector. The method is based on trilateration and allows for a simultaneous reconstruction of both location and time of the decay. Results of resolution tests of the new reconstruction in the J-PET detector based on Monte Carlo simulations are presented, which yield a spatial resolution at the level of 2 cm (FWHM) for X and Y and at the level of 1 cm (FWHM) for Z available with the present resolution of J-PET after application of a kinematic fit. Prospects of employment of this method for studying angular correlations of photons in decays of polarized ortho-positronia for the needs of tests of CP and CPT discrete symmetries are also discussed. The new reconstruction method allows for discrimination of background from random three-photon coincidences as well as for application of a novel method for determination of the linear polarization of ortho-positronium atoms, which is also introduced in this work.
Potential of the J-PET Detector for Studies of Discrete Symmetries in Decays of Positronium Atom - a Purely Leptonic System
P. Moskal, D. Alfs, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwinski, C. Curceanu, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, M. Gorgol, B.C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasinska, D. Kaminska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemien , N. Krawczyk, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedzwiecki, M. Pawlik-Niedzwiecka, L. Raczynski, Z. Rudy, M. Silarski, A. Wieczorek, W. Wislicki, M. Zielinski
abstract
The Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomograph (J-PET) was constructed
as a prototype of the cost-effective scanner for the simultaneous
metabolic imaging of the whole human body. Being optimized for the detection
of photons from the electron?positron annihilation with high timeand
high angular-resolution, it constitutes a multi-purpose detector providing
new opportunities for studying the decays of positronium atoms.
Positronium is the lightest purely leptonic object decaying into photons.
As an atom bound by a central potential, it is a parity eigenstate, and
as an atom built out of an electron and an anti-electron, it is an eigenstate
of the charge conjugation operator. Therefore, the positronium is
a unique laboratory to study discrete symmetries whose precision is limited,
in principle, by the effects due to the weak interactions expected at the level of (10????14) and photon?photon interactions expected at the
level of (10????9). The J-PET detector enables to perform tests of discrete
symmetries in the leptonic sector via the determination of the expectation
values of the discrete-symmetries-odd operators, which may be constructed
from the spin of ortho-positronium atom and the momenta and polarization
vectors of photons originating from its annihilation. In this article, we
present the potential of the J-PET detector to test the C, CP, T and CPT
symmetries in the decays of positronium atoms.
J-PET: A Novel TOF-PFT Detector based on Plastic Scintillators
P. Moskal, D. Alfs, T. Bednarski, P. Bialas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwinski, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Glowacz, M. Gorgol, B. Hiesmayr, B. Jasinska, D. Kaminska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemien, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, M. Pawlik-Niedzwiecka, S. Niedzwiecki, M. Palka, L. Raczynski, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, NG. Sharma, M. Silarski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, W. Wislicki, B. Zgardzinska, M. Zielinski
abstract
The purpose of the reported research is the elaboration of the method for construction of the cost-effective whole body single-bed positron emission tomography scanner enabling simultaneous PET/CT and PET/MR imaging The Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomograph (J-PET) is built out of 192 scintillator strips arranged axially in three layers forming a cylindrical diagnostic chamber with the diameter of 85 cm and axial field of-view of 50 cm. The novelty of the concept lies in employing long strips of plastic scintillators instead of crystals as detectors of the annihilation quanta, and in using the timing of signals instead of their amplitudes for the reconstruction of Lines-of Response. To take advantage of the superior timing properties of plastic scintillators a novel multi-voltage-threshold front-end electronics was developed allowing for sampling of signals in a voltage domain. An axial arrangement of long strips of plastic scintillators, and their small light attenuation allows us to make a TOE-PET scanner with a long axial field-of-view. The presented solution opens unique possibilities of combining PET with CT and PET with MRI for scanning the same part of a patient at the same time with both methods. The relative ease of the cost effective increase of the axial field-of-view makes the J-PET tomograph competitive with respect to the current commercial PET scanners as regards sensitivity and time resolution.
Statistical Analysis of Time Resolution of the J-PET Scanner
L. Raczynski, W. Wislicki, P. Kowalski, W. Krzemien, D. Alfs, T. Bednarski, P. Bialas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwinski, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Glowacz, M. Gorgol, B. Hiesmayr, B. Jasinska, D. Kaminska, G. Korcyl, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, M. Pawlik-Niedzwiecka, S. Niedzwiecki, M. Palka, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, NG. Sharma, M. Silarski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, B. Zgardzinska, M. Zielinski, P. Moskal
abstract
The commercial Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanners use inorganic crystal scintillators for the detection of gamma photons. The Jagiellonian-PET (J-PET) detector exhibits high time resolution due to use of fast plastic scintillators and dedicated electronics circuits. Since the time resolution of PET scanner is influenced by numerous factors, e.g. a type of photomultipliers attached to the scintillators, the optimal selection of components of the J-PET system requires detailed understanding of the method for calculation the time resolution. In this paper we show the idea of this method, based on statistical analysis of the observed signals on the photomultiplier's output. The method is tested using signals registered by means of the single detection module of the J-PET scanner built out from 30 cm long plastic scintillator strips. We investigate two main factors affecting the photon registration probability, photomultipliers quantum efficiency and photomultipliers transit time spread. We demonstrate that the quantum efficiency of photomultipliers represents the most important factor influencing overall performance of the J-PET scanner.
Studies of discrete symmetries in a purely leptonic system using the Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomograph
P. Moskal, D. Alfs, T. Bednarski, P. Bialas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwinski, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Glowacz, N. Gupta-Sharma, M. Gorgol, BC. Hiesmayr, B. Jasinska, D. Kaminska, O. Khreptak, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, W. Krzemien, N. Krawczyk, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, S. Niedzwiecki, M. Pawlik-Niedzwiecka, L. Raczynski, Z. Rudy, M. Silarski, J. Smyrski, A. Wieczorek, W. Wislicki, B. Zgardzinska, M. Zielinski
abstract
Discrete symmetries such as parity (P), charge-conjugation (C) and time reversal (T) are of fundamental importance in physics and cosmology. Breaking of charge conjugation symmetry (C) and its combination with parity (CP) constitute necessary conditions for the existence of the asymmetry between matter and antimatter in the observed Universe. The presently known sources of discrete symmetries violations can account for only a tiny fraction of the excess of matter over antimatter. So far CP and T symmetries violations were observed only for systems involving quarks and they were never reported for the purely leptonic objects. In this article we describe briefly an experimental proposal for the test of discrete symmetries in the decays of positronium atom which is made exclusively of leptons. The experiments are conducted by means of the Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomograph (J-PET) which is constructed from strips of plastic scintillators enabling registration of photons from the positronium annihilation. J-PET tomograph together with the positronium target system enable to measure expectation values for the discrete symmetries odd operators constructed from (i)spin vector of the ortho-positronium atom, (ii) momentum vectors of photons originating from the decay of positronium, and (iii) linear polarization direction of annihilation photons. Linearly polarized positronium will be produced in the highly porous aerogel or polymer targets, exploiting longitudinally polarized positrons emitted by the sodium Na-22 isotope. Information about the polarization vector of ortho-positronium will be available on the event by event basis and will be reconstructed from the known position of the positron source and the reconstructed position of the ortho-positronium annihilation. In 2016 the first tests and calibration runs are planned, and the data collection with high statistics will commence in the year 2017.
