CLRS 321 Nuclear Medicine Physics & Instrumentation I Part C: Semiconductors and Miscellaneous Scintillation Devices Unit II: Nuclear Medicine Measuring Devices

Objectives Describe n-type and p-type semiconductors and how they function as a radiation measuring device Describe the materials and construction of a semiconductor detector Discuss the detection and counting characteristics of a semiconductor radiation detection device and how these characteristics match up to scintillation detectors Discuss the use of semiconductor detectors in nuclear medicine Describe quality control measures for semiconductor detectors Explain the function of TLD ring and collar dosimeters Describe the function and uses of a liquid scintillation counter

What you need to know about how semiconductors work

Semiconduction Prekeges, J. (2010) Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett. Figs 3-1 & 3-2, p. 29.

Semiconduction: p-n junction Extra electrons (n-type) move toward the anode Extra holes (p-type) tend to move toward cathode like +electrons When p & n types come together, the holes and electrons diffuse to opposite ends, but end up creating an opposite “intrinsic” charge – Negative charge for p side – Positive charge for n side

P-side has extra holes (which you would think would leave it positively charged) N-side has extra electrons (which you would think would leave it negatively charged) Diffusion of holes and electrons results in the charges pictured and the intrinsic charge Prekeges, J. (2010) Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett. FigB-9, p. 275.

If the anode (+ terminal) is placed on the n-side, then this is called reverse bias and the depletion layer widens. If the cathode (- terminal) is placed on the n-side, then this is called forward bias and the depletion layer narrows. With reverse bias, the depletion layer becomes a solid- state ionization chamber Prekeges, J. (2010) Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett. FigB-9, p. 275.

Prekeges, J. (2010) Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett. Fig 3-4 p. 31.

Detector Type Energy Conversions Gas-filled Detector25-35 eV to make ion pairs Scintillation Detector30 eV for scintillation Semiconductor3-5 eV to make ion pairs FWHM (662 keV Cs-137 Source) NaI(Tl): 6 to 8% Semiconductor:1.8 to 2.5%

Comparison of Information Carriers Prekeges, J. (2010) Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett. p. 33.

Prekeges, J. (2010) Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett. Fig3-7, p. 34.

Seminconductor Energy Spectrum Prekeges, J. (2010) Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett. Fig3-3, p. 30.

Semiconductor Materials Cadmium (Cd), Tellurium (Te), Zinc (Zn) – ZnTe and CdTe common – “CZT” semiconductor (or detector) – Cd and Zn are electron acceptors Have “holes” and thus are p-type – Te is an electron donor Extra electrons and thus an n-type

Semiconductor Probes Often have surgical applications – Sentinel node biopsy – Parathyroid adenoma localization – Tumor localization _SectionID=9&Nav_CatID=9_DeviceDevelopment&Nav_Cont entKey={74FFB370-37E6-486A-8D46-DE7E9E29715E}

Prekeges, J. (2010) Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett. Fig 3-6 p

Quality Control for Semiconductor Probes Daily: – Battery Check – Background Determination – Constancy Check (using Co-57 source) Quarterly or semiannually: – Calibration (may need to be done by manufacturer) NEMA recommendations (annually): Sensitivity in air and scattering medium Energy, spatial, and angular resolution Volume sensitivity Count rate capabilities

Liquid Scintillation Detector Usually used in laboratories to count beta emitters. Solvents dissolve radioactive samples (often purposely radiolabelled) in to vials. Radioactivity scintillates a set of solutions in the vials. PMTs detect light from the “scintillation cocktails” in the vials. No longer routinely used in nuclear medicine

Radiation Detection (formerly known as “film”) badges Al 2 O 3 crystalline material becomes luminescent under selected laser frequencies. Luminescence is proportional to the amount of radiation exposure.

Thermoluminescent Dosimetry (TLD Ring Badges) Uses a lithium fluoride chip that absorbs the energy of ionizing radiation. It is then heated at characteristic temperatures that cause it to emit the absorbed energy as visible light. The amount of exposure is determined by the light intensities.

The Plan o Complete Homework 7 by 1:00 PM Wednesday, November 6 th o We will review this (and grade) in lab on Wednesday o Unit II Test will be on Monday, November 11 th