Gamma Camera
Physics: AQA A Level, topic 10.6.3
Gamma camera
A gamma camera is the equipment used to detect gamma rays in medical imaging.
Collimator
- First, there is a lead collimator, this is a lead block with small holes in it.
- The collimator will only allow gamma rays which have a straight path to pass through the grid.
- Lead will absorb any none parallel gamma rays.
Scintillator
- A scintillator will create flashes of light when a gamma ray hits it.
- The scintillator is directly after the collimator and will produce visible light rays.
Photomultiplier tubes
- After the scintillator, there are photomultiplier tubes.
- These tubes amplify the light signal from the gamma rays.
- These light flashes are then recorded electronically and create an image.
Test yourself on Gamma Camera
What does the collimator do?
Which of these components are used within gamma cameras?