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Evaluation of coincidence time resolution in a liquid xenon detector with silicon photomultipliers

N. Salor-Iguiñiz*

J. M. Benlloch-Rodríguez

R. Esteve, V. Álvarez, F. Ballester, R. Gadea, J. Rodríguez, J. F. Toledo, R. Torres-Curado, and V. Herrero

C. Romo-Luque†, M. Querol, J. Rodríguez-Ponce, and S. Teruel-Pardo

R. J. Aliaga

F. Monrabal, P. Ferrario‡, and J. J. Gómez-Cadenas

M. Rappaport (PETALO Collaboration)

  • Donostia International Physics Center, BERC Basque Excellence Research Centre, Manuel de Lardizabal 4, Donostia-San Sebastián E-20018, Spain and Instituto de Física Corpuscular (IFIC), CSIC and Universitat de València, Calle Catedrático José Beltrán, 2, Paterna E-46980, Spain

  • Instituto de Física Corpuscular (IFIC), CSIC and Universitat de València, Calle Catedrático José Beltrán, 2, Paterna E-46980, Spain

  • *Contact author: nerea.salor@dipc.org
  • †Present address: Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA.
  • ‡Also at Instituto de Física Corpuscular, Spain; on leave.
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Phys. Rev. Research 7, 033089 – Published 24 July, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/vy9h-twqf

Abstract

This work explores the combination of liquid xenon as a scintillating medium and silicon photomultipliers as a readout in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) for enhanced Time-Of-Flight resolution. We present the results of our first prototype optimized to maximize light collection using high photodetection efficiency (PDE), VUV-sensitive sensors and to minimize time fluctuations. We report a coincidence time resolution of 281±2 ps FWHM, obtained using a Na22 calibration source. This result is competitive with the current state-of-the-art PET scanners and represents a significant step forward in the development of liquid xenon as a viable alternative to conventional scintillators in PET technology.

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Phys. Rev. Research 7, 033089– Published 24 July, 2025
  • Received 10 December 2024
  • Accepted 26 June 2025
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