Complete characterization of SPADnet-I - a digital 8×16 SiPM array for PET applications

This paper presents the complete gamma characterization of the SPADnet-I sensor, a novel, fully digital SiPM array for PET applications. Each SPADnet-I pixel contains 720 SPADs and counting and timestamping logic, resulting in pixel dimensions of 0.6 × 0.6 mm2 and 42.6% fill-factor. Moreover, the sensor provides a real-time output of the total detected energy at up to 100 Msamples/s, which is internally used by a discriminator to distinguish gamma events from background noise. Results for the pile-up identification, crystal image and discriminator efficiency are presented. An energy resolution of 10.8% and a coincidence resolution time of 288 ps are reported.

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