A segmented hybrid photon detector with integrated auto-triggering front-end electronics for a PET scanner

We describe the design, fabrication and test results of a segmented hybrid photon detector with integrated auto-triggering front-end electronics. Both the photodetector and its VLSI readout electronics are custom designed and have been tailored to the requirements of a recently proposed novel geometrical concept of a positron emission tomograph. Emphasis is put on the PET-specific features of the device. The detector has been fabricated in the photocathode facility at CERN.