An object-oriented Monte Carlo simulator for 3D cylindrical positron tomographs

Monte Carlo simulation is a very powerful tool in understanding performance s of positron tomographs as well as in assessing image reconstruction algor ithms and their implementations. We present an object-oriented Monte Carlo simulator developed for 3D positron tomography. Results from phantom simula tion studies including absorption and scattering of the photons in the fiel d-of-view are presented. Scatter fractions determined from these studies ar e in good agreement with measured scatter fractions published in the litera ture. Limitations and future prospects are discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sci ence Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.