Use scintillation detectors to understand the basic principles of Positron-Emission-Tomography (PET) and locate a positron source.

Positron Emission Tomography is one of the most widely-used medical applications of particle physics and CERN has made major contributions to the development of this key technology. 

PET scanners make use of the special properties of photons that are created when an electron meets its anti-particle, a positron, and they annihilate. By measuring photons produced during this annihilation, it is possible to locate a positron source in the human body. Typically, radioactively marked sugar molecules are used as positron sources to locate tumours in patients.

In this workshop, participants calibrate and use scintillation detectors to understand the basic principles of Positron-Emission-Tomography (PET). They apply their knowledge and locate a positron source (Na-22) inside a brain model, simulating a real medical application of PET scanning.