What is the light output of BGO scintillators?

The light output of Bismuth Germanate (BGO) scintillators is approximately 15,000 photons per MeV of deposited energy. This characteristic is significant because it determines the effectiveness of the scintillator in converting gamma-ray energy into a measurable light signal, which is essential for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.

BGO is known for its high density and effective shielding properties, which contribute to its use in medical imaging and radiation detection. While its light output may not be as high as some other scintillators, such as LSO (Lutetium Oxyorthosilicate), BGO’s combination of properties makes it a useful choice in certain applications.

The options presented highlight different values of light output, but the approximately 15,000 photons per MeV aligns with the appropriate measure of BGO’s scintillation efficiency, thus making it the correct answer.