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The ClearMind project aims to develop the TOF-PET position sensitive detection module optimized for the time resolution, spatial resolution, and detection efficiency. For this, the ClearMind project uses a large (59 $\times$ 59 mm$^2$) monolithic PbWO$_4$ (PWO) scintillating crystal with a bialkali photo-electric layer deposited directly on the crystal. Scintillation and Cherenkov photons result together from the 511 keV gamma-ray interation into the PWO crystal. A micro-channel plate photomultiplier tube (MCP-PMT) encapsulating the PWO crystal amplifies photoelectrons generated at the photocathode, and the corresponding anode signals are collected through the transmission lines read out at both ends and digitized by a SAMPIC module. In this work, we present a realistic Geant4 simulation of the ClearMind prototype detector, including the propagation of the visible photons in the crystal, the modelling of a realistic response of the photocathode and of the PMT, and the propagation of the electrical signals over the transmission lines. The reconstruction of the gamma conversion in the detector volume is performed from the signals registered at both ends of the transmission lines. We compare the reconstruction precision of a statistical algorithm against machine learning algorithms developed using the TMVA package. We expect to reach a spatial resolution down to a few mm$^3$ (FWHM). Finally, we will discuss prospects for the ClearMind detector.

In the context of online ion range verification in particle therapy, the CLaRyS collaboration is developing Prompt-Gamma (PG) detection systems. The originality in the CLaRyS approach is to use a beam-tagging hodoscope in coincidence with the gamma detectors to provide both temporal and spatial information of the incoming ions. The ion range sensitivity of such PG detection systems could be improved by detecting single ions with a 100 ps ($\sigma$) time resolution, through a quality assurance procedure at low beam intensity at the beginning of the treatment session. This work presents the investigations led to assess the performance of Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) diamond detectors to fulfill these requirements. A $^{90}$Sr beta source, 68 MeV protons, 95 MeV/u carbon ions and a synchrotron X-ray pulsed beam were used to measure the time resolution, single ion detection efficiency and proton counting capability of various CVD diamond samples. An offline technique, based on double-sided readout with fast current preamplifiers and used to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, is also presented. The different tests highlighted Time-Of-Flight resolutions ranging from 13 ps ($\sigma$) to 250 ps ($\sigma$), depending on the experimental conditions. The single 68 MeV proton detection efficiency of various large area polycrystalline (pCVD) samples was measured to be $>$96% using coincidence measurements with a single-crystal reference detector. Single-crystal CVD (sCVD) diamond proved to be able to count a discrete number of simultaneous protons while it was not achievable with a polycrystalline sample. Considering the results of the present study, two diamond hodoscope demonstrators are under development: one based on sCVD, and one of larger size based on pCVD. They will be used for the purpose of single ion as well as ion bunches detection, either at reduced or clinical beam intensities., Comment: 15 pages, 9 figures

The accuracy of hadrontherapy treatment is currently limited by ion-range uncertainties. In order to fully exploit the potential of this technique, we propose the development of a novel system for online control of particle therapy, based on TOF-resolved (time-of-flight) Prompt Gamma (PG) imaging with 100 ps time resolution. Our aim is to detect a possible deviation of the proton range with respect to treatment planning within the first few irradiation spots at the beginning of the session. The system consists of a diamond-based beam hodoscope for single proton tagging, operated in time coincidence with one or more gamma detectors placed downstream of the patient. The TOF between the proton time of arrival in the hodoscope and the PG detection time provides an indirect measurement of the proton range in the patient with a precision strictly related to the system time resolution. With a single ~38 cm$^{3}$ BaF2 detector placed at 15 cm from a heterogeneous PMMA target, we obtained a coincidence time resolution of 101 ps (rms). This system allowed us to measure the thickness and position of an air cavity within a PMMA target, and the associated proton range shift: a 3 mm shift can be detected at 2$\sigma$ confidence level within a single large irradiation spot (~10$^{8}$ protons). We are currently conceiving a multi-channel PG timing detector with 3D target coverage. Each pixel will provide the PG detection time and its hit position, that can be used to reconstruct the 3D distribution of PG vertices in the patient. Our approach does not require collimation and allows to dramatically increase the detection efficiency. Since both signal detection and background rejection are based on TOF, the constraints on energy resolution can be relaxed to further improve time resolution., Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures