Time and Energy Resolving Time-over-Threshold ASIC for MPPC module in TOF-PET system (ToT-ASIC2)

Abstract ToT-ASIC2 is a new custom front-end application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) to readout silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) and multi-pixel photon counter (MPPC) for time-of-flight positron emission tomography (ToF-PET). ToT-ASIC2 is a 64-channel ASIC fabricated using a commercial 0.25 μm CMOS process. Each channel has an input-current buffer that sends signals to the SLOW and FAST paths, which are used for incident radiation energy and timing information, respectively. Time-over-Threshold (ToT) signals from these paths are combined into one ToT signal to be output outside the ASIC. The power consumption is approximately 2.9 mW per channel. This study developed a detection system comprising an MPPC with coupled GAGG pixelated scintillators, a front-end board with ToT-ASIC2 and ToT-DAQ. Consequently, energy and timing measurement experiments were performed using this system to confirm the ToT-ASIC2 energy- and timing-resolving capability. Prototype positron emission tomography experiments with 22 Na indicated an energy resolution of 6.7% for 511 keV with the coincidence timing resolution being 215 ps.