Abstract Light scattering diagnostics of turbid media containing both structural and dynamic inhomogeneities is currently of significant importance. One of the important directions in modern light scattering diagnostics is the development of methods for probing biological media with visible- and near-infrared radiation allowing for visualization of the biotissue structure. Optical methods for studying the biotissue structure and characterization of its optical properties are very promising and have been rapidly developing during the past decade. The present work is aimed at improving and discovering new potentials of currently existing methods of laser diagnostics of biological tissues containing both structural and dynamic inhomogeneities. In particular, the feasibilities of spatially resolved reflectometry and time-of-flight techniques for the problem of noninvasive determination of glucose level in human blood and tissues were examined both numerically and experimentally. The relative sensitivities of these methods to changes in glucose level were estimated. Time-of-flight technique was found to be more sensitive. The possibilities of Doppler optical coherence tomography for imaging of dynamic inhomogeneities with high resolution were considered. This technique was applied for the first time for the imaging of complex autowave cellular motility and cytoplasm shuttle flow in the slime mold Physarum polycephalum. The effect of multiple scattering on the accuracy of the measured flow velocity profiles for the case of single flow and for the case of the flow embedded into the static medium with strong scattering was studied. It was shown that this effect causes significant distortion to the measured flow velocity profiles and it is necessary to take this into account while making quantitative measurements of flow velocities.

No description available.

No presente trabalho é apresentado um conjunto de medidas de seção de choque do processo de fusão nuclear nos sistemas ANTPOT. 12 C + ANTPOT. 63, 65 CU, em um intervalo de energia correspondente à 0.91.8 vezes a barreira coulombiana. O método experimental utilizado foi a detecção dos resíduos de evaporação através da técnica de tempo de vôo, acoplado à um defletor eletrostático para separar as partículas provenientes do espalhamento elástico dos produtos de fusão. As vantagens e limitações do método são discutidas em detalhes. As funções de excitação de fusão dos sistemas citados foram analisadas via modelo de penetração de barreira unidimensional , utilizando vários potenciais nucleares. Dessa análise comprovou-se que a secção de choque de fusão é subestimada em energias em torno e abaixo da barreira coulombiana. Nesse sentido foi feito um cálculo, utilizando o código computacional CCFUS, que simula o acoplamento de canais, com a finalidade de descobrir quais canais contribuem para o processo de fusão nuclear em baixas energias. As seções de choque de fusão obtidas foram comparadas com outros sistemas - ANTPOT. 12 C + ANTPOT. 63, 65 CU.- que utilizam os mesmos núcleos-alvo. A comparação revelou que os sistemas ANTPOT. 12 C + ANTPOT. 63, 65 CU possuem o maior aumento de seção de choque de fusão subcoulombiana e esse fato pode estar relacionado à deformação estática do projétil. A comparação das distribuições da velocidade dos resíduos de evaporação para os dois de sistemas revelou um canal intenso para o sistema ANTPOT. 12 C + ANTPOT. 63 CU que não está presente para o outro sistema. / In this work we present cross-section measurements for nuclear fusion in the 12C+ 63,65 Cu system, at 12C energy range from 0.9 to 1.8 times the Coulomb barrier. In order to detect and to obtain the mass identification of the evaporation residues following the fusion process, the time of flight method was adopted in conjunction with an eletrostatic deflector capable of separating the evaporation residues from the beam particles. The limitation and advantadges of this method of measurement are discussed. The excitation functions for the above systems were analysed using the unidimensional barrier penetration model with different nuclear potentials. Theoretical fusion cross-section values obtained from this analysis were systematically smaller than our measured values, in the energy region below the Coulomb barrier. In order to discover which channel enhances the fusion cross-section in this region, a coupled channel calculation was performed, with the aid of CCFUS code. The experimental data for the above reactions were compared with the systems 12C+ 63,65 Cu, measured by our group. In this comparison, It was noted that the systems 12C+ 63,65 Cu have greater fusion cross section below the Coulomb barrier. This fact can be related to the static deformation of 12C. The comparison of velocity spectra of the evaporated residues for the two systems shows that 12C+63Cu has a strong reaction channel that was not present in the 12C+ 65Cu system.

No presente trabalho é apresentado um conjunto de medidas de seção de choque do processo de fusão nuclear nos sistemas ANTPOT. 12 C + ANTPOT. 63, 65 CU, em um intervalo de energia correspondente à 0.91.8 vezes a barreira coulombiana. O método experimental utilizado foi a detecção dos resíduos de evaporação através da técnica de tempo de vôo, acoplado à um defletor eletrostático para separar as partículas provenientes do espalhamento elástico dos produtos de fusão. As vantagens e limitações do método são discutidas em detalhes. As funções de excitação de fusão dos sistemas citados foram analisadas via modelo de penetração de barreira unidimensional , utilizando vários potenciais nucleares. Dessa análise comprovou-se que a secção de choque de fusão é subestimada em energias em torno e abaixo da barreira coulombiana. Nesse sentido foi feito um cálculo, utilizando o código computacional CCFUS, que simula o acoplamento de canais, com a finalidade de descobrir quais canais contribuem para o processo de fusão nuclear em baixas energias. As seções de choque de fusão obtidas foram comparadas com outros sistemas - ANTPOT. 12 C + ANTPOT. 63, 65 CU.- que utilizam os mesmos núcleos-alvo. A comparação revelou que os sistemas ANTPOT. 12 C + ANTPOT. 63, 65 CU possuem o maior aumento de seção de choque de fusão subcoulombiana e esse fato pode estar relacionado à deformação estática do projétil. A comparação das distribuições da velocidade dos resíduos de evaporação para os dois de sistemas revelou um canal intenso para o sistema ANTPOT. 12 C + ANTPOT. 63 CU que não está presente para o outro sistema. / In this work we present cross-section measurements for nuclear fusion in the 12C+ 63,65 Cu system, at 12C energy range from 0.9 to 1.8 times the Coulomb barrier. In order to detect and to obtain the mass identification of the evaporation residues following the fusion process, the time of flight method was adopted in conjunction with an eletrostatic deflector capable of separating the evaporation residues from the beam particles. The limitation and advantadges of this method of measurement are discussed. The excitation functions for the above systems were analysed using the unidimensional barrier penetration model with different nuclear potentials. Theoretical fusion cross-section values obtained from this analysis were systematically smaller than our measured values, in the energy region below the Coulomb barrier. In order to discover which channel enhances the fusion cross-section in this region, a coupled channel calculation was performed, with the aid of CCFUS code. The experimental data for the above reactions were compared with the systems 12C+ 63,65 Cu, measured by our group. In this comparison, It was noted that the systems 12C+ 63,65 Cu have greater fusion cross section below the Coulomb barrier. This fact can be related to the static deformation of 12C. The comparison of velocity spectra of the evaporated residues for the two systems shows that 12C+63Cu has a strong reaction channel that was not present in the 12C+ 65Cu system.

<p>A Monte Carlo simulation of the Neutron Wall detector system has been performed using Geant4, in order to define optimum conditions for the detection and identification of multiple neutrons. Emphasis was put on studying the scattering of neutrons between different detectors, which is the main source of the apparent increase of the number of detected neutrons. The simulation has been compared with experimental data. The quality of neutron gated γ-ray spectra was improved for both two- and three-neutron evaporation channels. The influence of small amounts of γ rays mis-interpreted as neutrons was investigated. It was found that such γ rays dramatically reduce the quality of neutron gated γ-ray spectra.</p><p>The interaction properties of fast neutrons in a closed-end coaxial and a planar high-purity germanium detector (HPGe) were studied. Digitised waveforms of HPGe preamplifier signals were recorded for time-of-flight separated neutrons and γ rays, emitted by a ²⁵²Cf source. The experimental waveforms from the detectors were compared to simulated pulse shapes. In the analysis, special emphasis was given to the detection of elastically scattered neutrons, which may be an important effect to take into account in future spectrometers based on γ-ray tracking. No differences between neutron and γ-ray induced pulse shapes were found in this work.</p><p>A Monte Carlo simulation of the interactions of fast neutrons in the future 4π γ-ray spectrometer AGATA was also performed, in order to study the influence of neutrons on γ-ray tracking. It was shown that although there is a large probability of detecting neutrons in AGATA, the neutrons decrease the photo-peak efficiency of AGATA by only about 1% for each neutron emitted in coincidence with γ rays. The peak-to-background ratios in γ-ray spectra are, however, reduced to a much larger extent. The possibility of using AGATA as a neutron detector system was also investigated.</p>

A Monte Carlo simulation of the Neutron Wall detector system has been performed using Geant4, in order to define optimum conditions for the detection and identification of multiple neutrons. Emphasis was put on studying the scattering of neutrons between different detectors, which is the main source of the apparent increase of the number of detected neutrons. The simulation has been compared with experimental data. The quality of neutron gated γ-ray spectra was improved for both two- and three-neutron evaporation channels. The influence of small amounts of γ rays mis-interpreted as neutrons was investigated. It was found that such γ rays dramatically reduce the quality of neutron gated γ-ray spectra. The interaction properties of fast neutrons in a closed-end coaxial and a planar high-purity germanium detector (HPGe) were studied. Digitised waveforms of HPGe preamplifier signals were recorded for time-of-flight separated neutrons and γ rays, emitted by a 252Cf source. The experimental waveforms from the detectors were compared to simulated pulse shapes. In the analysis, special emphasis was given to the detection of elastically scattered neutrons, which may be an important effect to take into account in future spectrometers based on γ-ray tracking. No differences between neutron and γ-ray induced pulse shapes were found in this work. A Monte Carlo simulation of the interactions of fast neutrons in the future 4π γ-ray spectrometer AGATA was also performed, in order to study the influence of neutrons on γ-ray tracking. It was shown that although there is a large probability of detecting neutrons in AGATA, the neutrons decrease the photo-peak efficiency of AGATA by only about 1% for each neutron emitted in coincidence with γ rays. The peak-to-background ratios in γ-ray spectra are, however, reduced to a much larger extent. The possibility of using AGATA as a neutron detector system was also investigated.

No description available.

Tesis por compendio / [ES] La Tomografía por Emisión de Positrones (PET) es una de las técnicas más importantes en la medicina de diagnóstico actual y la más representativa en el campo de la Imagen Molecular. Esta modalidad de imagen es capaz de producir información funcional única, que permite la visualización en detalle, cuantificación y conocimiento de una variedad de enfermedades y patologías. Áreas como la oncología, neurología o la cardiología, entre otras, se han beneficiado en gran medida de esta técnica. A pesar de que un elevado número de avances han ocurrido durante el desarrollo del PET, existen otros que son de gran interés para futuras investigaciones. Uno de los principales pilares actualmente en PET, tanto en investigación como en desarrollo, es la obtención de la información del tiempo de vuelo (TOF) de los rayos gamma detectados. Cuando esto ocurre, aumenta la sensibilidad efectiva del PET, mejorando la calidad señal-ruido de las imágenes. Sin embargo, la obtención precisa de la marca temporal de los rayos gamma es un reto que requiere, además de técnicas y métodos específicos, compromisos entre coste y rendimiento. Una de las características que siempre se ve afectada es la resolución espacial. Como discutiremos, la resolución espacial está directamente relacionada con el tipo de centellador y, por lo tanto, con el coste del sistema y su complejidad. En esta tesis, motivada por los conocidos beneficios en imagen clínica de una medida precisa del tiempo y de la posición de los rayos gamma, proponemos configuraciones de detectores TOF- PET novedosos capaces de proveer de ambas características. Sugerimos el uso de lo que se conoce como métodos de "light-sharing", tanto basado en cristales monolíticos como pixelados de tamaño diferente al del fotosensor. Estas propuestas hacen que la resolución espacial sea muy alta. Sin embargo, sus capacidades temporales han sido muy poco abordadas hasta ahora. En esta tesis, a través de varios artículos revisados, pretendemos mostrar los retos encontrados en esta dirección, proponer determinadas configuraciones y, además, indagar en los límites temporales de éstas. Hemos puesto un gran énfasis en estudiar y analizar las distribuciones de la luz centellante, así como su impacto en la determinación temporal. Hasta nuestro conocimiento, este es el primer trabajo en el que se estudia la relación de la determinación temporal y la distribución de luz de centelleo, en particular usando SiPM analógicos y ASICs. Esperamos que esta tesis motive y permita otros muchos trabajos orientados en nuevos diseños, útiles para instrumentación PET, así como referencia para otros trabajos. Esta tesis esta organizada como se describe a continuación. Hay una introducción compuesta por tres capítulos donde se resumen los conocimientos sobre imagen PET, y especialmente aquellos relacionados con la técnica TOF-PET. Algunos trabajos recientes, pero aún no publicados se muestran también, con el objetivo de corroborar ciertas ideas. En la segunda parte se incluyen las cuatro contribuciones que el candidato sugiere para el compendio de artículos. / [CA] La Tomografia per Emissió de Positrons (PET) és una de les tècniques més importants en la medicina de diagnòstic actual i la més representativa en el camp de la Imatge Molecular. Esta modalitat d'imatge és capaç de produir informació funcional única, que permet la visualització en detall, quantificació i coneixement d'una varietat de malalties i patologies. Àrees com l'oncologia, neurologia o la cardiologia, entre altres, s'han beneficiat en gran manera d'aquesta tècnica. Tot i que un elevat nombre d'avanços han ocorregut durant el desenvolupament del PET, hi ha altres que són de gran interés per a futures investigacions. Un dels principals pilars actuals en PET, tant en investigació com en desenvolupament, és l'obtenció de la informació del temps de vol (TOF en anglès) dels raigs gamma detectats. Quan açò ocorre, augmenta la sensibilitat efectiva del PET, millorant la qualitat senyal-soroll de les imatges. No obstant això, l'obtenció precisa de la marca temporal dels raigs gamma és un repte que requerix, a més de tècniques i mètodes específics, compromisos entre cost i rendiment. Una de les característiques que sempre es veu afectada és la resolució espacial. Com discutirem, la resolució espacial està directament relacionada amb el tipus de centellador, i per tant, amb el cost del sistema i la seua complexitat. En aquesta tesi, motivada pels coneguts beneficis en imatge clínica d'una mesura precisa del temps i de la posició dels raigs gamma, proposem nouves configuracions de detectors TOF-PET capaços de proveir d'ambduess característiques. Suggerim l'ús del que es coneix com a mètodes de "light-sharing", tant basat en cristalls monolítics com pixelats de diferent tamany del fotosensor. Aquestes propostes fan que la resolució espacial siga molt alta. No obstant això, les seues capacitats temporals han sigut molt poc abordades fins ara. En aquesta tesi, a través de diversos articles revisats, pretenem mostrar els reptes trobats en aquesta direcció, proposar determinades configuracions i, a més, indagar en els límits temporals d'aquestes. Hem posat un gran èmfasi a estudiar i analitzar les distribucions de la llum centellejant, així com el seu impacte en la determinació temporal. Fins al nostre coneixement, aquest és el primer treball en què s'estudia la relació de la determinació temporal i la distribució de llum de centelleig, en particular utilitzant SiPM analògics i ASICs. Esperem que aquesta tesi motive i permeta molts altres treballs orientats en nous dissenys, útils per a instrumentació PET, així com referència per a altres treballs. Aquesta tesi esta organitzada com es descriu a continuació. Hi ha una introducció composta per tres capítols on es resumeixen els coneixements sobre imatge PET i, especialmente, aquells relacionats amb la tècnica TOF-PET. Alguns treballs recents, però encara no publicats es mostren també, amb l'objectiu de corroborar certes idees. La segona part de la tesi conté els quatre articles revisats que el candidat suggereix. / [EN] Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is one of the greatest tools of modern diagnostic medicine and the most representative in the field of molecular imaging. This imaging modality, is capable of providing a unique type of functional information which permits a deep visualization, quantification and understanding of a variety of diseases and pathologies. Areas like oncology, neurology, or cardiology, among others, have been well benefited by this technique. Although numerous important advances have already been achieved in PET, some other individual aspects still seem to have a great potential for further investigation. One of the main trends in modern PET research and development, is based in the extrapolation of the Time- Of-Flight (TOF) information from the gamma-ray detectors. In such case, an increase in the effective sensitivity of PET is accomplished, resulting in an improved image signal-to-noise ratio. However, the direction towards a precise decoding of the photons time arrival is a challenging task that requires, besides specific approaches and techniques, tradeoffs between cost and performance. A performance characteristic very habitually compromised in TOF-PET detector configurations is the spatial resolution. As it will be discussed, this feature is directly related to the scintillation materials and types, and consequently, with system cost and complexity. In this thesis, motivated by the well-known benefits in clinical imaging of a precise time and spatial resolution, we propose novel TOF-PET detector configurations capable of inferring both characteristics. Our suggestions are based in light sharing approaches, either using monolithic detectors or crystal arrays with different pixel-to-photosensor sizes. These approaches, make it possible to reach a precise impact position determination. However, their TOF capabilities have not yet been explored in depth. In the present thesis, through a series of peer-reviewed publications we attempt to demonstrate the challenges encountered in these kinds of configurations, propose specific approaches improving their performance and eventually reveal their limits in terms of timing. High emphasis is given in analyzing and studying the scintillation light distributions and their impact to the timing determination. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first works in which such detailed study of the relation between light distribution and timing capabilities is carried out, especially when using analog SiPMs and ASICs. Hopefully, this thesis will motivate and enable many other novel design concepts, useful in PET instrumentation as well as it will serve as a helpful reference for similar attempts. The present PhD thesis is organized as follows. There is an introduction part composed by three detailed sections. We attempt to summarize here some of the knowledge related to PET imaging and especially with the technique of TOF-PET. Some very recent but still unpublished results are also presented and included in this part, aiming to support statements and theories. The second part of this thesis lists the four peer-reviewed papers that the candidate is including. / This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant agreement No 695536). It has also been supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad under Grants No. FIS2014-62341-EXP and TEC2016-79884-C2-1-R. Efthymios Lamprou has also been supported by Generalitat Valenciana under grant agreement GRISOLIAP-2018-026. / Lamprou, E. (2021). Development and Performance Evaluation of High Resolution TOF-PET Detectors Suitable for Novel PET Scanners [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/162991 / Compendio