Positron Ranges

JPNM Physics

Energies and Ranges of Positrons

Document created November 20, 1996;

Nuclide Max. Energy (MeV) Max. Range (mm) FWHM (mm)

¹¹C 0.96 3.8 0.28

¹³N 1.19

¹⁵O 1.7

¹⁸F 0.65 2.6 0.22

⁶²Cu 2.91

⁶⁸Ga 1.90 9.0 1.35
⁸²Rb 3.15 16.5 2.6

Nuclide	Max. Energy (MeV)	Max. Range (mm)	FWHM (mm)

¹¹C	0.96	3.8	0.28
¹³N	1.19
¹⁵O	1.7
¹⁸F	0.65	2.6	0.22
⁶²Cu	2.91
⁶⁸Ga	1.90	9.0	1.35
⁸²Rb	3.15	16.5	2.6

Ranges in H2O from Anne Paans Jan 22, 1997 email burst to "nucmed" listserver

Nuclide Max. Energy (MeV) Max. Range (mm) Mean Range (mm)

¹¹C 0.961 3.9 1.1

¹³N 1.190 5.1 1.5

¹⁵O 1.723 8.0 2.5

¹⁸F 0.635 2.4 0.6

⁶⁸Ga 1.899 8.9 2.9
⁸²Rb 3.350 17.0 5.9

Ranges in H2O from Anne Paans Jan 22, 1997 email burst to "nucmed" listserver
Nuclide	Max. Energy (MeV)	Max. Range (mm)	Mean Range (mm)

¹¹C	0.961	3.9	1.1
¹³N	1.190	5.1	1.5
¹⁵O	1.723	8.0	2.5
¹⁸F	0.635	2.4	0.6
⁶⁸Ga	1.899	8.9	2.9
⁸²Rb	3.350	17.0	5.9

The kinetic energy of the positrons degrades the spatial resolution. According to Paans:

The effect of the kinetic energy on the spatial resolution has been measured for ¹¹C by Phelps et al. by comparison with the 514 keV gamma ray from ⁸⁵Sr. The effect was a contribution of 1 mm to the spatial resolution, see JNM 16 (1975) 649.
The effect of the kinetic energy on spatial resolution has also been demonstrated by Alan Jeavons and Dave Tomnsend (Geneva) using their HIDAC multi-wire positron system with ⁶⁸Ga in PTFE tubing or Fe tubing. Fe tubing showed 2.5 mm FWHM, PTFE significantly more...

AMJ Paans, PET-Center, Groningen University Hospital, Netherlands.

Document maintained by:

Douglas J. Wagenaar, Ph.D., wagenaar@nucmed.bidmc.harvard.edu