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A. Coussat

Publications and source records attributed to A. Coussat.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

Three-Photon Bayesian Imaging of Ortho-Positronium

PET provides functional images relying on two-photon coincidences from positron-electron annihilation. In human tissue, about 40\% of annihilations are preceded by Ps formation, of which o-Ps component partially decays into three photons, with the remainder annihilating via pick-off or spin-exchange into two photons. This three-photon channel carries additional information about the surrounding micro-environment, including the three-to-two-photon yield ratio as a potential diagnostic marker. We propose the TRIO algorithm, a novel three-photon event-by-event image reconstruction algorithm formulated as a Bayesian maximum a posteriori inference problem. TRIO unifies time-based trilateration, energy-based reconstruction and, for the first time, a physics-informed prior derived from the QED description of Ps decay within a single probabilistic framework. In contrast to positronium lifetime imaging, which requires a prompt photon and is therefore restricted to specific radionuclides, TRIO relies solely on the three photons and is fully compatible with standard radionuclides such as 18F. Monte Carlo simulation modelled after the Siemens Biograph Quadra scanner demonstrates a mean position error of 1.62~cm, improving by approximately a factor of two over the time-based trilateration (3.05 cm) and by about an order of magnitude over energy-based reconstruction alone (18 cm). More importantly, the proposed Bayesian approach is compatible with existing TOF-PET scanners that can register three-photon annihilation coincidences.

physics.med-ph↗
arXiv2024

Development of the normalization method for the first large field-of-view plastic-based PET Modular scanner

In positron emission tomography acquisition (PET), sensitivity along a line of response can vary due to crystal geometrical arrangements in the scanner and/or detector inefficiencies, leading to severe artefacts in the reconstructed image. To mitigate these effects, data must be corrected by a set of normalization coefficients applied to each line of response. The J-PET Modular scanner is a PET device made of 50 cm long plastic strips arranged axially, currently in operation at the Jagiellonian University in Krak\'ow (Poland). We have implemented a normalization method for the large field-of-view plastic-based J-PET Modular scanner using the component-based approach. We estimated the geometric normalization factors for the J-PET Modular scanner using Monte Carlo simulations. We also analysed the effects of variations in detection efficiency. A dedicated cylindrical phantom was simulated to investigate the impact of various factors on image quality. The image quality was quantified in terms of radial and axial uniformity metrics, and the standard deviation to mean intensity ratio, determined for a set of image slices. Without normalization, reconstructions of a uniform cylinder exhibit artefacts. These artefacts were satisfactorily compensated using the normalization factors. Applying geometrical corrections lowers the non-uniformity of the image expressed as a standard deviation-to-mean ratio to a range between 5.5 % to 8.5 %. Computationally, the technique is straightforward to parallelize, making it time-efficient. Preliminary estimates suggest that the method is appropriate for use with long axial field-of-view scanners, such as the total-body J-PET, currently under development at the Jagiellonian University.

physics.med-ph↗
arXiv2024

Comparative studies of plastic scintillator strips with high technical attenuation length for the total-body J-PET scanner

Plastic scintillator strips are considered as one of the promising solutions for the cost-effective construction of total-body positron emission tomography, (PET) system. The purpose of the performed measurements is to compare the transparency of long plastic scintillators with dimensions 6 mm x 24 mm x 1000 mm and with all surfaces polished. Six different types of commercial, general purpose, blue-emitting plastic scintillators with low attenuation of visible light were tested, namely: polyvinyl toluene-based BC-408, EJ-200, RP-408, and polystyrene-based Epic, SP32 and UPS-923A. For determination of the best type of plastic scintillator for totalbody Jagiellonian positron emission tomograph (TB-J-PET) construction, emission and transmission spectra, and technical attenuation length (TAL) of blue light-emitting by the scintillators were measured and compared. The TAL values were determined with the use of UV lamp as excitation source, and photodiode as light detector. Emission spectra of investigated scintillators have maxima in the range from 420 nm to 429 nm. The BC-408 and EJ-200 have the highest transmittance values of about 90% at the maximum emission wavelength measured through a 6 mm thick scintillator strip and the highest technical attenuation length reaching about 2000 mm, allowing assembly of long detection modules for time-of-flight (TOF) J-PET scanners. Influence of the 6 mm x 6 mm, 12 mm x 6 mm, 24 mm x 6 mm cross-sections of the 1000 mm long EJ-200 plastic scintillator on the TAL and signal intensity was measured. The highest TAL value was determined for samples with 24 mm x 6 mm cross-section.

physics.ins-det↗
arXiv2024

Non-maximal entanglement of photons from positron-electron annihilation demonstrated using a novel plastic PET scanner

In state-of-the-art Positron Emission Tomography (PET), information about annihilation photon polarization is unavailable. Here, we present a PET scanner built from plastic scintillators, where annihilation photons primarily interact via the Compton effect, providing information about both photon polarization and propagation direction. Using this plastic-based PET, we determined the distribution of the relative angle between polarization planes of photons from positron-electron annihilation in a porous polymer. The amplitude of the observed distribution is smaller than predicted for maximally quantum-entangled two-photon states but larger than expected for separable photons. This result can be well explained by assuming that photons from pick-off annihilation are not entangled, while photons from direct and para-positronium annihilations are maximally entangled. Our result indicates that the degree of entanglement depends on the annihilation mechanism in matter, opening new avenues for exploring polarization correlations in PET as a diagnostic indicator.

nucl-ex↗
arXiv2023

Feasibility studies for imaging e$^{+}$e$^{-}$ annihilation with modular multi-strip detectors

Studies based on imaging the annihilation of the electron (e$^{-}$) and its antiparticle positron (e$^{+}$) open up several interesting applications in nuclear medicine and fundamental research. The annihilation process involves both the direct conversion of e$^{+}$e$^{-}$ into photons and the formation of their atomically bound state, the positronium atom (Ps), which can be used as a probe for fundamental studies. With the ability to produce large quantities of Ps, manipulate them in long-lived Ps states, and image their annihilations after a free fall or after passing through atomic interferometers, this purely leptonic antimatter system can be used to perform inertial sensing studies in view of a direct test of Einstein equivalence principle. It is envisioned that modular multistrip detectors can be exploited as potential detection units for this kind of studies. In this work, we report the results of the first feasibility study performed on a e$^{+}$ beamline using two detection modules to evaluate their reconstruction performance and spatial resolution for imaging e$^{+}$e$^{-}$ annihilations and thus their applicability for gravitational studies of Ps.

physics.ins-det↗
arXiv2023

TOF MLEM Adaptation for the Total-Body J-PET with a Realistic Analytical System Response Matrix

We report a study of the original image reconstruction algorithm based on the time-of-flight maximum likelihood expectation maximisation (TOF MLEM), developed for the total-body (TB) Jagiellonian PET (J-PET) scanners. The method is applicable to generic cylindrical or modular multi-layer layouts and is extendable to multi-photon imaging. The system response matrix (SRM) is represented as a set of analytical functions, uniquely defined for each pair of plastic scintillator strips used for the detection. A realistic resolution model (RM) in detector space is derived from fitting the Monte Carlo simulated emissions and detections of annihilation photons on oblique transverse planes. Additional kernels embedded in SRM account for TOF, parallax effect and axial smearing. The algorithm was tested on datasets, simulated in GATE for the NEMA IEC and static XCAT phantoms inside a 24-module 2-layer TB J-PET. Compared to the reference TOF MLEM with none or a shift-invariant RM, an improvement was observed, as evaluated by the analysis of image quality, difference images and ground truth metrics. We also reconstructed the data with additive contributions, pre-filtered geometrically and with non-TOF scatter correction applied. Despite some deterioration, the obtained results still capitalise on the realistic RM with better edge preservation and superior ground truth metrics. The envisioned prospects of the TOF MLEM with analytical SRM include its application in multi-photon imaging and further upgrade to account for the non-collinearity, positron range and other factors.

physics.med-ph↗
arXiv2023

J-PET detection modules based on plastic scintillators for performing studies with positron and positronium beams

The J-PET detector, which consists of inexpensive plastic scintillators, has demonstrated its potential in the study of fundamental physics. In recent years, a prototype with 192 plastic scintillators arranged in 3 layers has been optimized for the study of positronium decays. This allows performing precision tests of discrete symmetries (C, P, T) in the decays of positronium atoms. Moreover, thanks to the possibility of measuring the polarization direction of the photon based on Compton scattering, the predicted entanglement between the linear polarization of annihilation photons in positronium decays can also be studied. Recently, a new J-PET prototype was commissioned, based on a modular design of detection units. Each module consists of 13 plastic scintillators and can be used as a stand-alone, compact and portable detection unit. In this paper, the main features of the J-PET detector, the modular prototype and their applications for possible studies with positron and positronium beams are discussed. Preliminary results of the first test experiment performed on two detection units in the continuous positron beam recently developed at the Antimatter Laboratory (AML) of Trento are also reported.

physics.ins-det↗