.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
Return
Advancing PET through direct imaging of three-photon decay using pure positron emitters
.png){kind=icon}
OA
AI
M
R
M
M
P
L
A
J
J
D
K
DOI：10.1038/s42005-026-02782-6.png)
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
Share.png){kind=icon}
Save
Abstract
En 中文
Positronium is abundantly formed inside the human body during positron emission tomography (PET). Its properties, such as lifetime and three-photon decay rate, are highly sensitive to the microenvironment, particularly oxygen partial pressure and the size of free voids. Thus, positronium is a promising biomarker for an imaging modality complementary to conventional PET imaging. Here we achieved positronium ratio imaging through the direct localization of three-photon annihilation events. The first image of the three-to-two-photon decay ratio was obtained using high-resolution scintillation detectors and a standard radiotracer, yielding results highly consistent with positronium lifetime studies. A spatial resolution of sub-1.1 cm is achieved in both experimental and simulated data without relying on tomographic reconstruction or time-of-flight information. This technique provides additional information about tissue hypoxia or morphology, offering potential for improved early diagnosis. The authors present an imaging technique that visualizes microenvironmental properties by directly localizing the three-photon annihilation of positronium. This method achieves sub-centimeter spatial resolution, yielding contrast maps consistent with prior lifetime studies.
AI Summary
Key information extracted from the uploaded paper, including a brief overview, abstract, background, key highlights, visual analysis, and future outlook.
Journal
IF:
5.8
Papers:
2.7K
Citations:
9.2K
Organization
Cited Papers