title: Three-gamma annihilation imaging in positron emission tomography.
abstract: It is argued that positron annihilation into three photons, although quite rare, could still be used as a new imaging modality of positron emission tomography. The information gained when the three decay photons are detected is significantly higher than in the case of 511 keV two-gamma annihilation. The performance of three-gamma imaging in terms of the required detector properties, spatial resolution and counting rates is discussed. A simple proof-of-principle experiment confirms the feasibility of the new imaging method.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kacperski
authors.forename: Nicholas M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Spyrou
authors.forename: F Alan
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D005240:Feasibility Studies; D015902:Gamma Cameras; D005720:Gamma Rays; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D017785:Photons; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*