Abstract
Radiation shielding calculations, analysis and optimization process carried out in
order to design shielding for a Mineral-Positron Emission Tomography (MinPET) facility are
presented. PET is a nuclear imaging technique commonly used in diagnostic medicine. The technique
is based on the detection of 511 keV coincident and co-linear photons produced from the
annihilation of a positron (produced by a positron emitter) and a nearby electron. This technique
is currently being developed for mineral detection and quantification, particularly diamonds in
kimberlite rocks through the MinPET facility. The facility is aimed at improving diamond mining
through the early detection of the diamond bearing rocks. High energy photons are produced via
bremsstrahlung when a high energy, 40 MeV 5mA, electron beam
impinges on a high density target - tungsten...