Metascintillators for Ultrafast Gamma Detectors: A Review of Current State and Future Perspectives

Scintillation detector development is an active field of research, especially for its application to the medical imaging and in particular positron emission tomography (PET). Effective sensitivity signal-to-noise ratio PET are greatly enhanced when improving timing capabilities: availability provide time-of-flight (TOF) information. However, physical barriers related characteristics available organic inorganic scintillators create a tradeoff between photon kinetics gamma detection efficiency. We introduce novel concept metascintillators, composite topologies comprising multiple scintillating light-guiding materials functioning synergy, that break this compromise. overview published, ongoing upcoming developments within framework. Unconventional topologies, such as slabs approach high-Z host fast emitter; CdSe/CdS nanoplatelets; treatments nanostructured metamaterials photonic interactions, reviewed complemented with new, unpublished advances simulations analysis. Future perspectives further presented, encompassing signal analysis system integration. Within concept, improved generation detectors scanners unprecedented time resolution researched, paving way toward 10-ps TOF challenge advancement improvement public health.