Performance study of a PET detector module based on a continuous scintillator

Several methods are tested to extract positional information from light distributions generated in a monolithic block of scintillator read out by an APD array.. The spatial resolution of photons impinging at 0 degrees and 20 degrees angle was studied in various regions of the block. The influence of the block thickness on the spatial resolution was also investigated as well as the effect of a black crystal coating. Finally the performances of detectors based on these continuous scintillator blocks are compared with a detector module based on an array of small scintillation crystals coupled individually to the pixels of the APD array.