title: Progress in BazookaSPECT.
abstract: Recent progress on a high-resolution, photon-counting gamma-ray and x-ray imager called BazookaSPECT is presented. BazookaSPECT is an example of a new class of scintillation detectors based on integrating detectors such as CCD(charge-coupled device) or CMOS(complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) sensors. BazookaSPECT is unique in that it makes use of a scintillator in close proximity to a microchannel plate-based image intensifier for up-front optical amplification of scintillation light. We discuss progress made in bringing about compact BazookaSPECT modules and in real-time processing of event data using graphics processing units (GPUs). These advances are being implemented in the design of a high-resolution rodent brain imager called FastSPECT III. A key benefit of up-front optical gain is that any CCD/CMOS sensor can now be utilized for photon counting. We discuss the benefits and feasibility of using CMOS sensors as photon-counting detectors for digital radiography, with application in mammography and computed tomography (CT). We present as an appendix a formal method for comparing various photon-counting integrating detectors using objective statistical criteria.
authors.affiliation: College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721.
authors.forename: Brian W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: H Bradford
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: Lars R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Furenlid
authors.forename: Stephen K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Harrison H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Barrett