Simulation of a Scintillator-based Compton Telescope with Micropattern Readout

Abstract

We describe simulations of a Compton telescope gamma-ray detector. The model is based on scintillation detectors and low-mass, photosensitive micro-pattern detectors, particu- larly the plasma panel sensor. The detector model has ten to twenty layers, to maximize the probability of Compton scattering while minimizing multiple scattering in a single layer. The simulations explore optimizing the micro-pattern detec- tor pixel geometry, the scintillator material, the total detector thickness, and the number of layers. In addition, we explored algorithms for determining the interaction position, total energy and discriminating Compton scattering from other processes. Our initial results indicate that this kind of Compton telescope can be much more efficient that silicon or germanium-based telescopes while providing very good position resolution.