Micro Insert: A Prototype Full-Ring PET Device for Improving the Image Resolution of a Small-Animal PET Scanner

A full-ring PET insert device should be able to enhance the image resolution of existing small-animal PET scanners. Methods: The device consists of 18 high-resolution PET detectors in a cylindric enclosure. Each detector contains a cerium-doped lutetium oxyorthosilicate array (12 x 12 crystals, 0.72 x 1.51 x 3.75 mm each) coupled to a position-sensitive photomultiplier tube via an optical fiber bundle made of 8 x 16 square multiclad fibers. Signals from the insert detectors are connected to the scanner through the electronics of the disabled first ring of detectors, which permits coincidence detection between the 2 systems. Energy resolution of a detector was measured using a Ge-68 point source, and a calibrated 68Ge point source stepped across the axial field of view (FOV) provided the sensitivity profile of the system. A Na-22 point source imaged at different offsets from the center characterized the in-plane resolution of the insert system. Imaging was then performed with a Derenzo phantom filled with 19.5 MBq of F-18-fluoride and imaged for 2 h; a 24.3-g mouse injected with 129.5 MBq of F-18-fluoride and imaged in 5 bed positions at 3.5 h after injection; and a 22.8-g mouse injected with 14.3 MBq of F-18-FDG and imaged for 2 h with electrocardiogram gating. Results: The energy resolution of a typical detector module at 511 keV is 19.0% +/- 3.1 %. The peak sensitivity of the system is approximately 2.67%. The image resolution of the system ranges from 1.0- to 1.8-mm full width at half maximum near the center of the FOV, depending on the type of coincidence events used for image reconstruction. Derenzo phantom and mouse bone images showed significant improvement in transaxial image resolution using the insert device. Mouse heart images demonstrated the gated imaging capability of the device. Conclusion: We have built a prototype full-ring insert device for a small-animal PET scanner to provide higher-resolution PET images within a reduced imaging FOV. Development of additional correction techniques are needed to achieve quantitative imaging with such an insert.

Measurement of neutron flow with the external target experimental device on CSR

With the construction of the neutron detection wall at the external target position on Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou-Cooling Storage Ring (HIRFL-CSR), it will be possible to detect high energy neutron. A BUU model is applied to simulate the flow in both symmetric (Ni+Ni, Pb+Pb) and asymmetric(Pb+Ni) systems. It is shown that at above several hundreds MeV/u, the flow signals are very obvious and depend clearly on the centrality of the collisions. Based on the products in the forward angle less than 20 degrees, the simulation also reveals that the determination of the reaction plane and the selection of the impact parameter, both of which are essential in the flow measurement, are well implemented. The double event and its influence on the determination of the neutron flow are also simulated.

Enhancing the Performance of the Organic Light-emitting Device (OLED) by Thermal Treatment

A comparative study on the annealing of the ITO substrates and the organic layers were conducted on Organic light-emitting device (OLED). We fabricated four devices with the structure of Al/Alq(3)/TPD: PVK/NiO/ITO/Glass, and investigated the effect of heat on device performance by selectively annealing. When the TPD: PVK layers were annealed at 90 degrees C with 30 min annealing time and the ITO substrates were annealed at 300 degrees C with a constant annealing time (100 min). We find the OLED shows obvious performance improvement in brightness and current efficiency, which is attributable to the fact that annealing reduces defects and improves the interface structures of the organics and the organic/ITO interfaces. On the other hand, an appropriate annealing would slow the transportation of the hole, thus finally leads to more balanced electron and hole.

Multifunctional metallophosphors with anti-triplet–triplet annihilation properties for solution-processable electroluminescent devices

With the goal to provide organometallic triplet emitters with good hole-injection/hole-transporting properties, highly amorphous character for simple solution-processed organic light-emitting diodes, and negligible triplet-triplet (T-T) annihilation, a series of new phosphorescent cyclometalated Ir-III and Pt-II complexes with triphenylamine-anchored fluorenylpyridine dendritic ligands were synthesized and characterized. The photophysical, thermal, electrochemical and electroluminescent properties of these molecules are reported.

Two novel triphenylamine-substituted poly(p-phenylenevinylene) derivatives: synthesis, photo- and electroluminescent properties

Two novel triphenylamine-substituted poly(p-phenylenevinylene) derivatives, P1 and P2, have been successfully synthesized through the Witting-Horner reaction. The structures and properties of the monomers and the resulting polymers were characterized by using H-1 NMR, FT-IR, GPC, TGA, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electroluminescence (EL) spectroscopy

1.54 mu m near-infrared photoluminescent and electroluminescent properties of a new Erbium (111) organic complex

The crystal structure of Er(PM)(3)(TP)(2) [PM = 1-Phenyl-3-methyl-4-isobutyryl-5-pyrazoloiie, TP = triphenyl phosphine oxide] was reported and its photoluminescence properties were studied by UV-vis absorption, excited, and emission spectra. The Judd-ofelt theory was introduced to calculate the radiative transition rate and the radiative decay time of 3.65 ms for the I-4(13/2) -> I-4(15/2) transition of Er3+ ion in this complex.

Phase transition behavior and molecular orientation of oligo(9,9 '-dioctylfluorene-alt-bithiophene)

A novel conjugated oligomer, oligo(9,9'-dioctylfluorene-alt-bithiophene) (OF8T2), was found to exhibit a unique phase transition between crystalline and liquid-crystalline states, and a liquid-crystalline glass was easily generated, offering better TFT device performance. In thin films, upon annealing the OF8T2 molecules oriented preferentially with their planes of conjugation being normal to the substrate, and both film thickness and annealing temperature were critical to the film morphology and the molecular orientation. When the OF8T2 film was deposited on a rubbed polyimide surface and annealed, the molecules aligned their long axes along the rubbing direction.

Solution-Processible Red Iridium Dendrimers based on Oligocarbazole Host Dendrons: Synthesis, Properties, and their Applications in Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

A series of novel red-emitting iridium dendrimers functionalized with oligocarbazole host dendrons up to the third generation (red-G3) have been synthesized by a convergent method, and their photophysical, electrochemical, and electroluminescent properties have been investigated. In addition to controlling the intermolecular interactions, oligocarbazole-based dendrons could also participate in the electrochemical and charge-transporting process. As a result, highly efficient electrophosphorescent devices can be fabricated by spin-coating from chlorobenzene solution in different device configurations.

Novel White Electroluminescent Single Polymer Derived from Fluorene and Quinacridone

A novel series of white light emitting single polymers are prepared by incorporating low contents of quinacridone into the main chain of polyfluorene. This is the first report of quinacridone-containing conjugated polymer. Single layer devices (ITO/PEDOT:PSS/polymer/Ca/Al) are fabricated with these polymers. Energy transfer from fluorene segments to quinacridone unit is observed. Moreover, in the EL process, quinacridone unit can trap electrons and cannot trap holes from fluorene segments.

Blue electroluminescent polymers with dopant-host systems and molecular dispersion features: polyfluorene as the deep blue host and 1,8-naphthalimide derivative units as the light blue dopants

We developed a series of highly efficient blue electroluminescent polymers with dopant-host systems and molecular dispersion features by selecting 1,8-naphthalimide derivatives as the light blue emissive dopant units, choosing polyfluorene as the deep blue emissive polymer host and covalently attaching the dopant units to the side chain of the polymer host. The polymers' EL spectra exhibited both deep blue emission from the polymer host and light blue emission from the dopant units because of the energy transfer and charge trapping from the polymer host to the dopant units.

Highly efficient red electroluminescent polymers with dopant/host system and molecular dispersion feature: polyfluorene as the host and 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole derivatives as the red dopant

By selecting polyfluorene as the polymer host, choosing 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole derivative moieties as the red dopant units and covalently attaching 0.3 mol% of the dopant units to the side chain of the polymer host, we developed a novel series of red electroluminescent polymers of dopant/host system with molecular dispersion feature. Their EL spectra exhibited predominant red emission from the dopant units because of the energy transfer and charge trapping from the polymer backbone to the dopant units. The emission wavelength of the polymers could be tuned by modifying the chemical structures of the dopant units.

Synthesis and characterization of color-stable electroluminescent polymers: Poly(dinaphtho [1,2-a : 1 ',2 '-g]-s-indacene)s

Two new stepladder conjugated polymers, that is, poly(7,7,15,15-tetraoctyldinaphtho[1,2-a:1',2'-g]-s-indacene) (PONSI) and poly(7,7,15,15-tetra(4-octylphenyl)dinaphtho[1,2-a:1',2'-g]-s-indacene) (PANSI) with alkyl and aryl substituents, respectively, have been synthesized and characterized. In comparison with poly(indenofluorene)s, both polymers have extended conjugation at the direction perpendicular to the polymer backbone because of the introduction of naphthalene moieties. The emission color of the polymers in film state is strongly dependent on the substituents. While PONSI emits at a maximum of 463 nm, PANSI with the same backbone but aryl substituents displays dramatically redshifted emission with a maximum at 494 nm.