High energy gamma-ray imaging using Cherenkov cone detection - A Monte Carlo study with application to a Compton camera system

With the availability of single-photon detecting Si-APD's and multi-anode PM tubes, the technical basis for the detection of Cherenkov light produced by Compton electrons in a dense absorbing detector from 1 to 10 MeV gamma rays is given. In a Monte Carlo simulation study using detailed electron track and Cherenkov light simulation, we show that in many transparent materials enough visible light photons are created (up to 400) to support detection of high energy gamma rays. Since the opening angle of the light cone is practically saturated, the reconstruction of the 3D position of interaction should be possible. At the same time we found that the angular spread is dominated by multiple scattering, compromising this option. However, a more detailed study of materials shows that optimization may make possible good position resolution and depth measurement for parallax correction.