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Fast, Low-Noise Readout Chip for Avalanche Photodiode Arrays for Use in Positron-Emission Tomography Imaging--NOVA R & D, Inc., 1525 Third Street, Suite #C, Riverside, CA  92507-3429; 909-781-7332

Dr. Martin Clajus, Principal Investigator

Mr. Raymond B. Pifer, Business Official

DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-00ER83058

Amount:  $99,427

 

Breast cancer is one of the major public health concerns today in the United States.  The detection of breast cancer through mammographic screening is complicated by various anatomic factors that can hide or simulate tumors, leading to reduced sensitivity and specificity of mammography.  This results, on the on hand, in intolerable delays in the detection of tumors and, on the other hand, in a large number of biopsies being performed which later turn out to be unnecessary.  The accuracy of mammography can be improved by complementing it with functional imaging techniques such as PET imaging.  To achieve this, dedicated breast imaging PET scanners are needed.  Researchers at UCLA, in collaboration with RMD Inc., are developing a high-resolution breast imaging PET scanner consisting of LSO (lutetium silicate) scintillator crystals read out by avalanche photodiode (APD) arrays.  We propose to develop a fast, low-noise integrated front-end chip specifically designed to read out the APD signals with high accuracy and low random background.  During Phase I, we will develop a preliminary design for the critical circuits of the proposed chip and test the design through extensive simulations.  In addition, we will prototype the design from discrete components and test the prototypes using the scintillators and APDs for which the chip is being designed.  The results from these simulations and tests will be used to improve the preliminary design so that a prototype chip can be produced during Phase II

 

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:  In addition to breast imaging, the proposed chip can be used for any applications that require reading out APDs or multianode photomultiplier tubes with highly accurate timing.  This includes other PET imaging applications, such as animal PET.  Other applications that may be able to use the chip include nuclear and high-energy physics research.