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A Monte Carlo positronium decay source model with multiple annihilation channels in GATE.

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Title: A Monte Carlo positronium decay source model with multiple annihilation channels in GATE.
Authors: Krzemien W; Department of High Energy Physics, National Centre for Nuclear Research, 05-400 Otwock, Poland., Bala M; Department of Complex Systems, National Centre for Nuclear Research, 05-400 Otwock, Poland., Dulski K; Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science, Jagiellonian University, 30-348 Kraków, Poland., Zdeb W; Department of Complex Systems, National Centre for Nuclear Research, 05-400 Otwock, Poland., Coussat A; INSA-Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, CREATIS UMR 5220, U1294, F-69373 Lyon, France., Hiesmayr BC; IT:U Interdisciplinary Transformation University, Freistädter Strasse 400, 4040 Linz, Austria.; Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna, Währingerstrasse 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria., Klimaszewski K; Department of Complex Systems, National Centre for Nuclear Research, 05-400 Otwock, Poland., Obara M; Department of Complex Systems, National Centre for Nuclear Research, 05-400 Otwock, Poland., Raczyński L; Department of Complex Systems, National Centre for Nuclear Research, 05-400 Otwock, Poland., Shopa RY; Department of Complex Systems, National Centre for Nuclear Research, 05-400 Otwock, Poland.
Source: Physics in medicine and biology [Phys Med Biol] 2026 Sep 07; Vol. 71 (17). Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Sep 07.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: IOP Publishing Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 0401220 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1361-6560 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00319155 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Phys Med Biol Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Original Publication: Bristol : IOP Publishing
MeSH Terms: Monte Carlo Method* , Positron-Emission Tomography*, Photons ; Phantoms, Imaging
Abstract: Objective. Positronium-based imaging, including positronium lifetime imaging (PLI) and multi-photon positron emission tomography (PET), requires realistic modelling of positronium (Ps) decay in matter. Existing Monte Carlo (MC) implementations in Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission (GATE) are limited to simplified single- or two-channel descriptions, preventing accurate representation of the multi-component lifetime structure observed in biological and material systems. The objective of this work is to develop and validate a flexible MC Ps decay source model supporting multiple annihilation channels within the GATE framework.Approach. We introduce a modular Ps decay model implemented in GATE 9.4 and GATE 10, enabling the definition of an arbitrary number of decay channels characterised by lifetime, branching fraction, annihilation multiplicity (/), and optional prompt photon emission. The model is validated through analytical and numerical benchmarks, including lifetime distributions, branching fraction consistency, photon kinematics, and prompt photon emission. Its practical applicability is demonstrated using simulations of mixed annihilation scenarios and the NEMA IEC phantom with a large field-of-view PET system.Results. The proposed model accurately reproduces input lifetime distributions as weighted sums of exponential components and correctly samples decay channel fractions. Simulated two- and three-photon annihilation kinematics are consistent with theoretical expectations. Complex mixtures of decay channels, including varying-to-ratios and multi-component ortho-positronium (o-Ps) lifetimes, are correctly modelled, with observable signatures reflected in both temporal and energy distributions. Phantom simulations demonstrate the capability to generate realistic positronium-sensitive datasets.Significance. This work provides the first general-purpose, multi-channel positronium decay model integrated into GATE, enabling realistic simulations of positronium behaviour in complex media. The model supports the development and optimisation of positronium-based imaging techniques, including PLI and multi-photon PET, and applies to medical imaging, industrial tomography, and fundamental physics studies. Its public availability and compatibility with standard GATE workflows make it a valuable tool for the broader research community.
(Creative Commons Attribution license.)
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: Computer simulations; Monte Carlo; positronium
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20260820 Date Completed: 20260907 Latest Revision: 20260907
Update Code: 20260907
DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ae9c83
PMID: 42624160
Database: MEDLINE
FullText Text:
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Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
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  Data: A Monte Carlo positronium decay source model with multiple annihilation channels in GATE.
– Name: Author
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  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Krzemien+W%22">Krzemien W</searchLink>; Department of High Energy Physics, National Centre for Nuclear Research, 05-400 Otwock, Poland.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Bala+M%22">Bala M</searchLink>; Department of Complex Systems, National Centre for Nuclear Research, 05-400 Otwock, Poland.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Dulski+K%22">Dulski K</searchLink>; Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science, Jagiellonian University, 30-348 Kraków, Poland.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Zdeb+W%22">Zdeb W</searchLink>; Department of Complex Systems, National Centre for Nuclear Research, 05-400 Otwock, Poland.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Coussat+A%22">Coussat A</searchLink>; INSA-Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, CREATIS UMR 5220, U1294, F-69373 Lyon, France.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Hiesmayr+BC%22">Hiesmayr BC</searchLink>; IT:U Interdisciplinary Transformation University, Freistädter Strasse 400, 4040 Linz, Austria.; Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna, Währingerstrasse 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Klimaszewski+K%22">Klimaszewski K</searchLink>; Department of Complex Systems, National Centre for Nuclear Research, 05-400 Otwock, Poland.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Obara+M%22">Obara M</searchLink>; Department of Complex Systems, National Centre for Nuclear Research, 05-400 Otwock, Poland.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Raczyński+L%22">Raczyński L</searchLink>; Department of Complex Systems, National Centre for Nuclear Research, 05-400 Otwock, Poland.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Shopa+RY%22">Shopa RY</searchLink>; Department of Complex Systems, National Centre for Nuclear Research, 05-400 Otwock, Poland.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%220401220%22">Physics in medicine and biology</searchLink> [Phys Med Biol] 2026 Sep 07; Vol. 71 (17). <i>Date of Electronic Publication: </i>2026 Sep 07.
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  Data: Journal Article
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  Data: English
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  Data: <i>Publisher: </i><searchLink fieldCode="PB" term="%22IOP+Publishing%22">IOP Publishing </searchLink><i>Country of Publication: </i>England <i>NLM ID: </i>0401220 <i>Publication Model: </i>Electronic <i>Cited Medium: </i>Internet <i>ISSN: </i>1361-6560 (Electronic) <i>Linking ISSN: </i><searchLink fieldCode="IS" term="%2200319155%22">00319155 </searchLink><i>NLM ISO Abbreviation: </i>Phys Med Biol <i>Subsets: </i>MEDLINE
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  Data: <i>Original Publication</i>: Bristol : IOP Publishing
– Name: SubjectMESH
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Monte+Carlo+Method%22">Monte Carlo Method*</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Positron-Emission+Tomography%22">Positron-Emission Tomography*</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Photons%22">Photons</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Phantoms%2C+Imaging%22">Phantoms, Imaging</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Objective. Positronium-based imaging, including positronium lifetime imaging (PLI) and multi-photon positron emission tomography (PET), requires realistic modelling of positronium (Ps) decay in matter. Existing Monte Carlo (MC) implementations in Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission (GATE) are limited to simplified single- or two-channel descriptions, preventing accurate representation of the multi-component lifetime structure observed in biological and material systems. The objective of this work is to develop and validate a flexible MC Ps decay source model supporting multiple annihilation channels within the GATE framework.Approach. We introduce a modular Ps decay model implemented in GATE 9.4 and GATE 10, enabling the definition of an arbitrary number of decay channels characterised by lifetime, branching fraction, annihilation multiplicity (/), and optional prompt photon emission. The model is validated through analytical and numerical benchmarks, including lifetime distributions, branching fraction consistency, photon kinematics, and prompt photon emission. Its practical applicability is demonstrated using simulations of mixed annihilation scenarios and the NEMA IEC phantom with a large field-of-view PET system.Results. The proposed model accurately reproduces input lifetime distributions as weighted sums of exponential components and correctly samples decay channel fractions. Simulated two- and three-photon annihilation kinematics are consistent with theoretical expectations. Complex mixtures of decay channels, including varying-to-ratios and multi-component ortho-positronium (o-Ps) lifetimes, are correctly modelled, with observable signatures reflected in both temporal and energy distributions. Phantom simulations demonstrate the capability to generate realistic positronium-sensitive datasets.Significance. This work provides the first general-purpose, multi-channel positronium decay model integrated into GATE, enabling realistic simulations of positronium behaviour in complex media. The model supports the development and optimisation of positronium-based imaging techniques, including PLI and multi-photon PET, and applies to medical imaging, industrial tomography, and fundamental physics studies. Its public availability and compatibility with standard GATE workflows make it a valuable tool for the broader research community.<br /> (Creative Commons Attribution license.)
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  Data: <i>Keywords: </i>Computer simulations; Monte Carlo; positronium
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  Data: <i>Date Created: </i>20260820 <i>Date Completed: </i>20260907 <i>Latest Revision: </i>20260907
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  Data: 10.1088/1361-6560/ae9c83
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  Data: 42624160
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=cmedm&AN=42624160
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      – SubjectFull: Photons
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Phantoms, Imaging
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      – SubjectFull: Monte Carlo Method
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      – SubjectFull: Positron-Emission Tomography
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              Text: 2026 Sep 07
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