3DPiPET

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a widely used medical imaging technique. Traditional PET scans detect gamma rays produced when radioactive tracers accumulate in metabolically active tissues, helping doctors identify cancer, neurological disorders, and heart disease.

3DPiPET

Applications of DarkSide Technology

to Medical Imaging

Three Dimensional Positron Training (3DπPET) is an innovative next-generation Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner that applies technologies developed by DarkSide for dark matter research, combining a xenon-doped liquid argon target with cryogenic silicon photomultiplier arrays.

3DπPET aims to deliver sharper images, faster scan times, and lower radiation doses than conventional PET systems. Its total-body design improves detection efficiency and time-of-flight resolution, while innovations based on DarkSide technologies enhance image quality. Currently, the project is advancing from simulation studies toward prototype development and experimental validation.

Key Features:

LAr as a Scintillator: Liquid argon offers fast scintillation properties, producing more photons per unit of energy than conventional materials. Its scalability and lower costs make it ideal for large-volume detectors.
Xenon Doping: Adding xenon to LAr improves light detection and shortens the long decay time of scintillation light. This helps in clearer image formation and reduces the risk of overlapping photon signals, which could degrade image quality.
Fast Cryogenic SiPMs: The advanced SiPMs used in 3Dπ provide high photon detection efficiency (PDE) and excellent timing resolution. These sensors work well at cryogenic temperatures, making them perfect for use with LAr-based detectors, and enhance image quality through improved light yield.

Relationship between NECR and activity concentration for both configurations, compared with the peak Noise Equivalent Count Rate values of uExplorer [24] and J-PET

How does 3DPiPET Stand Out?

Monolithic Detector: Captures single Compton scatter events more precisely than segmented crystals.
Reduced Scan Time: Ultra-fast electronics and SiPMs speed up the process, improving patient comfort and clinical workflow.
Lower Radiation Doses: Optimized for smaller amounts of radioactive tracer, making scans safer.

The DarkSide Collaboration aims to unveil the nature of dark matter through liquid argon detector technology and innovative underground experiments. It is located at the Laboratori Nazional del Gran Sasso in L’Aquila, Italy.

Contact

QUICK LINKS

Research

The Experiments

Collaboration

Funders

Publications

News

Outreach

RESOURCES

Internal access

For Researchers

Cookie Policy