Coincidence/Anti-coincidence
Detector Applications Information Note
Coincidence and anti-coincidence are detection modes (or techniques) used to produce a simplified
spectrum from certain types of detector systems. These systems consist of two (or more) detectors, a
segmented detector, or a combination of these. Each detector or segment produces separate signals.
In coincidence, only those signals produced
simultaneously in at least two of the detectors or
segments are counted. In anti-coincidence, the
signals produced simultaneously in at least two of
the detectors or segments cancel or veto each other,
leaving the non-coincident signals to be counted. The
single most important benefit of using coincidence or
anti-coincidence is a greatly improved signal to noise
ratio in the detector system. This leads to much greater
accuracy in the determination of full energy peaks in
the spectrum.
The effectiveness of a coincidence/anti-coincidence
system can be calculated by dividing the noise
reduction factor by the factor by which the total
absorption peak height changes to get a number
relative to the net reduction in the signal to noise
ratio. This quick assessment method points out the
importance of maintaining total peak height as the
background continuum is reduced.
Coincidence is applied in sum-coincidence and pair
spectrometers and systems for detecting positron
emitters. Anti-coincidence is used with Compton
suppression spectrometers and can be set up in
phoswich detectors as well.
Sum-Coincidence Spectrometers
Two or more adjacent detectors (or one detector
with two or more optically-isolated segments) form
a sum-coincident spectrometer. The signals from
events coincident in at least two detectors (or two
segments) are summed to produce the spectrum,
which is essentially the full energy peak.
Pair Spectrometers
When samples emit -rays with energies large enough
for pair production, it is possible to use this effect
for Compton and background suppression. In pair
production the incident gamma photon loses at least
1022 keV of energy. This energy converts into kinetic
energy and mass for the simultaneously created
positron-electron pair. When the positron loses this
kinetic energy, it annihilates into two, diametrically-
emitted 511 keV gamma rays.
The spectrum is produced by the coincident events
from positron pair creation in the spectrometers
central detector and absorption of the 511 keV
annihilation quanta in the surrounding shield detector.
This coincidence effectively isolates the double escape
peak. However, the full energy peak is suppressed
along with the Compton edge and background,
reducing the counting efficiency.
A typical pair spectrometer combines a highly efficient
NaI(Tl) detector - or a Ge detector with very good
energy resolution - with a NaI(Tl) annulus detector. In
some systems, the annulus may have optically isolated
segments, or two separate detectors can be used. A
pair spectrometer can be used as an anti-Compton
spectrometer by simply connecting the annulus in
anti-coincidence with the central detector. However,
using a larger central detector is recommended for
this application.
Detecting Positron Emitters
A large number of artificially produced radioactive
samples emit -rays in coincidence with positron
particles (+) decay. In this process the positron can
annihilate into two 511 keV rays. These -rays can be
detected in a spectrometers shield detector. If there
is coincidence between the 511 keV gamma events and
the events detected in the central detector, the -rays
emitted after + decay can be detected with a very
low background.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is essentially a
large multi-detector (thousands) pair spectrometer
that detects the two 511 keV gamma rays emitted from
radiopharmaceuticals. The known positron of the two
detectors that are in coincidence define a line along
which the source originated. Many such events are
then reconstructed into a 3-D tomographic image of
a patient.
CRYSTALS
Coincidence/Anti-coincidence

The new Saint-Gobain Crystals materials
BrilLanCe380*(LaBr3:Ce)and BrilLanCe350 (LaCl3:Ce)
are very fast, with BrilLanCe 380s timing being as good
as or better than BaF2. BrilLanCe 380 can be used to
add time-of-flight gating capability to a PET system.
Compton Suppression Spectrometers
In -ray spectrosopy, the detection of low intensity
peaks is often complicated by the Compton scattering
of higher energy -rays. In the energy range between
several hundreds of keV and several MeV, the
interaction between -rays and a detector takes place
mainly through Compton scattering.
The detection of Compton scattered -rays gives rise
to a continuous background in the energy spectrum
and consequently raises the lower detection limits for
-ray energies in that region. Anti-Compton shields
(Compton suppressors) provide a tool to suppress the
unwanted background. The combination of a central
NaI(Tl) or germanium detector and an active, NaI(Tl) or
BGO anti-Compton shield detector is called a Compton
suppression spectrometer.
The basic principle behind Compton suppression is the
detection of photons scattered by the central detector
into a large, high-efficiency detector configured to
surround it . The escape of a Compton scattered -ray
generates a signal in the surrounding shield detector.
The signal is coincident with the signal generated by
the Compton electron in the central detector.
The signal from the guard detector can therefore
be used to veto the registration of Compton events
occurring in the central detector. In this way the
Compton continuum can be suppressed.
Phoswich Detectors
The two scintillators produce pulses with different
shapes and are viewed by the same photomultiplier.
With pulse shape discriminating (PSD) electronics,
a separate peak is obtained for each scintillator. By
setting a window on a peak, the signals from the
appropriate scintillator are selected, either primary or
guard crystal. This can be used to reduce background
and Compton contributions to the region of interest.
The combination of NaI(Tl) and BrilLanCe 380 can
produce an overall good performance because of the
fast decay time of BrilLanCe 380 (16ns) as well as the
other exceptional qualities of that material.

For additional product information, request the following SGC literature:

Compton Suppressor Product data sheet;

Phoswich Detectors Product data sheet;
A Faster Phoswich: A BrilLanCe Application
Low-Level/Low Background Counting Applications data sheet;
Time Coincidence Applications data sheet;
Individual Materials data sheets.
All are available as PDF files on www.crystals.saint-gobain.com

Protected under patents US7,067,816B2, US7250609B2, EP1257612B1*,EP1516078B1,

ZL03813659.7,UA75066C2,US7067815B2,US7233006B2,EP1255796B1*, EP1516078B1,-
ZL01805267.3,ZL03813659.7,EP1516078B1,UA75591C2,UA75066C2
*These original patents were granted to Stichting Voor de Technische Wetenschappen. Inven-
tors are P. Dorenbos, C.W.E. van Eijk, H.U. Gudel, K.W. Kraemer, E.V.D. van Loef.
Technology is licensed to Saint-Gobain Cristaux & Detecteurs.

is a registered trademark of Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.

The data presented are believed to be correct but are not guaranteed to be so.
Saint-Gobain Crystals
Manufacturer reserves the right to alter specifications.
www.crystals.saint-gobain.com 2004-2016 Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc. All rights reserved. (08-16)