Simulation study of the backward-scattering effect in Compton imager.

In the field of nuclear medicine, nuclear security and astrophysics, Compton imaging is a promising technique for gamma-ray source imaging. We are developing a Compton imager using two layers of CdZnTe pixel array detectors. In this paper, the backward-scattering effect within such imagers is numerically studied using Geant4 Monte Carlo Package. From images reconstructed based on forward-scattering and backward-scattering imaging events, the imaging precision was investigated in a comparative analysis, in regard to energy resolution and position resolution. Furthermore, to establish a method to use backward-scattering imaging events properly so that the imaging efficiency can be significantly improved, the difference between reconstruction from forward-scattering and backward-scattering imaging events was analyzed to uncover a causal mechanism.