title: A design methodology using signal-to-noise ratio for plastic scintillation detectors design and performance optimization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The design of novel plastic scintillation detectors (PSDs) is impeded by the lack of a suitable framework to simulate and predict their performance. The authors propose to use the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) to model the performance of PSDs that use charge-coupled devices (CCDs) as photodetectors.
  
  
  METHODS
  In PSDs using CCDs, the SNR is inversely related to the normalized standard deviation of the dose measurement. Thus, optimizing the SNR directly optimizes the system's precision. In this work, a model of SNR as a function of the system parameters is derived for optical fiber-based PSD systems. Furthermore, this proposed model is validated using experimental results. A formula for the efficiency of fiber coupling to CCDs is derived and used to simulate the performance of a PSD under varying magnifications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proposed model is shown to simulate the experimental performance of an actual PSD to a suitable degree of accuracy under various conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The SNR constitutes a useful tool to simulate the dosimetric precision of PSDs. Using the SNR model, recommendations for the design and optimization of PSDs are provided. Using the same framework, recommendations for non-fiber-based PSDs are also provided.
authors.affiliation: Département de Radio-Oncologie, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montéfal, 1560 Sherbrooke est, Montréal, Quebec H2L 4MI, Canada. frederic.lacroix.chum@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lacroix
authors.forename: A Sam
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Beddar
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guillot
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Beaulieu
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gingras
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004867:Equipment Design; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D010969:Plastics; D012588:Scintillation Counting / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics