Current status and future prospect of Compton gamma camera

Abstract

  Imaging technology of gamma-ray is strongly required in various fields, such as nuclear medicine diagnosis using radio-isotopes, monitoring of radiation therapy, gamma-ray astronomy, environmental monitoring and assessment of decommissioning in nuclear reactor. Compton imaging is one of the most powerful imaging methods of sub MeV to a few MeV gamma-rays because of its good characteristics with high sensitivity, collimator less light-weight geometry and wide FOV (Field of View). Recent progress in the development of Compton gamma camera is reviewed here as well as the remaining issues. Several advanced methods to improve the quality of Compton imaging are also introduced. Further advancement in Compton imaging will be driven by the development of new detector, device, material and software in the future.