Development studies for a high-rate positron camera based on a BaF2/TMAE system

Clinical experience with our existing (Mark-II) positron camera has shown that the modest sensitivity and low maximum data rate of the device limit its clinical application. The latter problem is caused by the high singles rates encountered by the detectors and the sensitivity is limited by the conversion efficiency of the 511 keV gamma rays. We report the progress of our studies into a new positron camera system based on barium fluoride scintillators coupled to a low-pressure TMAE-filled MWPC which is read out by fast delay lines. According to our estimates this system will yield a sensitivity and a maximum data rate more than an order of magnitude higher than our existing system with comparable spatial resolution.