Physics of PET: positron emission tomography

This book focuses on the role of physics in the medical field, with particular attention to the imaging diagnostic exam known as PET, an acronym for Positron Emission Tomography. The book analyzes the various stages of the PET exam from a physical perspective, addressing topics such as the calculation of the maximum energy or the average kinetic energy of positrons emitted by radiopharmaceuticals, as well as the estimation of their penetration range in human tissues. The text refers both to basic physics concepts and to more advanced notions. Among the subjects covered are: general description and considerations on PET, the most commonly used radiopharmaceuticals, calculation of residual radionuclides as a function of time, beta decays, kinetic energies (in relativistic theory) of positrons from the main radiopharmaceuticals, the positron and positronium, energy loss of positrons in matter, trajectory and penetration depth of positrons in various parts of the body, energy of photons derived from positronium decay, and photon detection.