title: Stored luminescence computed tomography.
abstract: Phosphor nanoparticles made of doped semiconductors and pre-excited by x-ray radiation were recently reported for their luminescence emission in the range of 650-770 nm upon near-infrared (NIR) light stimulation. These nanophosphors can be functionalized as optical probes for molecular imaging. In this paper, we present stored luminescence computed tomography to reconstruct a nanophosphor distribution in an object. The propagation of x rays in a biological object allows significantly better localization and deeper penetration. Moreover, the nanophosphors, which are pre-excited with collimated x-ray beams or focused x-ray waves, can be successively stimulated for stored luminescence emissions by variable NIR stimulation patterns. The sequentially detected luminescence signals provide more information of a nanophosphor spatial distribution for more accurate image reconstruction and higher image resolution. A realistic numerical study is performed to demonstrate the feasibility and merits of the proposed approach.
authors.forename: Wenxiang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cong
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ge
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D008027:Light; D008163:Luminescent Measurements / Q000379:methods*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*