Simulation study on the performance of time-over-threshold based positioning in monolithic PET detectors

The vast majority of PET detectors in the field today is based on pixelated scintillators. Yet, the resolution of this type of detector is limited by the pixel size. To overcome this limitation one can use monolithic detectors. However, this detector architecture demands specific and high-speed detector readout of the photodetector array. A commonly used approach is to integrate the current pulses generated by every pixel but such circuitry quickly becomes bulky, power consuming and expensive. The objective of this work is to investigate a novel readout and event positioning scheme for monolithic PET detectors, based on Time-over-Threshold (ToT). In this case, we measure the time that the pulse is above a certain threshold through a comparator. The pulse widths are used for event positioning using a mean nearest neighbour approach (mNNToT). For energy determination one integrating multiplexed channel is foreseen. We evaluate the positioning accuracy and uniformity of such a ToT detector by means of Monte Carlo simulations. The impact of the threshold value is investigated and the results are compared to a detector using mean nearest neighbour with pulse-integration (mNNint), which has already proven to allow sub-mm resolution. We show minimal degradation in spatial resolution and bias performance compared to mNNint. The highest threshold results in the worst resolution performance but degradation remains below 0.1 mm. Bias is largely constant over different thresholds for mNNToT and close to identical to mNNint. Furthermore we show that Time-over-Threshold performs well in terms of detector uniformity and that scattered photons can be positioned inside the crystal with high accuracy. We conclude from this work that ToT is a valuable alternative to pulse-integration for monolithic PET detectors. This novel approach has an impact on PET detector development since it has the advantage of lower power consumption, compactness and inherent amplitude-to-time conversion.

PHOTOCATALYTIC OPTIMIZATION OF MR DYE BY K-ZnO AND ZnO CATALYSTS UNDER VISIBLE IRRADIATION

The lucubration on the visible light methyl red (MR) degradation using K-ZnO and undoped ZnO photo catalyst was investigated. The successive formation of K-ZnO was ascertained by several techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and UV-Visible spectrophotometer and solid state UV-Vis band gap energy determination by comparing the Kubelka-Monk equation with Tauc equation and the energy band gap was calculated to be 3.28ev. The influence of reaction variables such as MR concentration, reaction pH, catalyst loadings and temperature have been investigated for both process. The kinetics model was developed for both doped and undoped ZnO photocatalyst using pseudo first and second order kinetics, the result indicated that both doped and undoped ZnO followed pseudo first order kinetics due to higher correlation coefficient (R2) value of 0.985 and 0.922 with rate constant (k) of 0.026 min-1 and 0.062 min-1, respectively. Based on the rate constant value (k) obtained at different reaction temperatures, the Arrhenius expression was derived. The derived activation energy (Ea) for the degradation of MR by K-ZnO photocatalysis was 32.109x103JK-1. The optimum condition for K-ZnO showed nearly complete degradation (95%) of the dye molecules with slightly higher degradation efficiency compares to ZnO (91%).

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF COPOLYMERS EXEMPLIFIED BY COMMERCIAL NITRIL-BUTADIENE RUBBERS

Commercial nitril-butadiene rubbers were comprehensively studied by GPC, DSC, TGA, phase contrast microscopy and surface free energy determination via Owens-Wendt-Rabel-Kiellble method. Specific features were found for molecular mass distribution, phase transitions in negative and positive temperature intervals, the character of supramolecular assembly and microblock distribution of functional groups in BNKS-18AN and BNKS-18AMN rubber brands. A set of differences in initial rubbers macromolecular characteristics was shown, as well as the evolution of the latter during mechanical activaction of BNKS-18AN and BNKS-18AMN rubber brands

Measurements of surface free energy as a tool to asses the effect of varnishing and printing of the paper substrates

Nowadays, printing products might be finished in various ways. Varnishing process is one of the most popular finishing method which gives various effect, such as mate, glossy etc. However, the varnish layer applied on the paper is very thin, therefore it can be invisible to the naked human eye. The aim of this work was to use contact angle measurement and surface free energy determination as a tool to assess the effect of printing and varnishing process of paper materials. We have used various tools in order to analyses the changes of surface: surface roughness, gloss, water contact angle absorption and surface free energy determination. Those tools were used in order to confirm whether the print has been covered with varnish or not. In this work six various paper substrates were used (glossy, coated and un-coated papers). The printing and varnishing was performed in laboratory conditions using flexographic water-based printing and waterbased varnish. Samples were prepared as follows: paper with ink coating, paper with varnish coating and paper with ink layer and varnish layer on the top. The surface roughness was determinated of all samples and compared. The surface roughness changes were observed for pure paper, overprinted and overvarnished. Next, the gloss of samples prior and after printing and varnishing was measured. The gloss of the samples increases when they are printed or varnished, what is related with properties of ink and varnish. Also, the thickness of ink and varnish layers was determinated. The thickness of the samples increases when the number of layers increases. Finally, the water contact angle was measured and surface free energy was calculated with Owens-Wendt method. Our results reveal the possibility of using various tools in order to confirm the performance of varnishing of the prints. The printing with various colors is always seen by the naked human eye. On the other hand, the varnish layer might be not visible. However, such a comparison is not possible if we do not have the pure paper substrates prior printing or varnish.