Development of a new photo-detector readout technique for PET and CT imaging

In the framework of the European FP6's BioCare project, we develop a novel photo-detector readout technique to increase sensitivity and timing precision for molecular imaging in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computer Tomography (CT). Within the Project's work packages, the CERN-BioCare group focuses on the development of a PET detection head suitable to process data from both PET and CT operation in one unit. The detector module consists of a LSO matrix coupled to an APD array. The signal is processed by a fast and low noise readout electronics recently developed for experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. The functioning of the individual system components and the performance of the entire readout channel are presented.