[en] A new method for optimizing the design of multi-aperature parallel-hole collimators for the gamma scintillation camera is presented. The method takes into account the frequency spectrum of a plane source object distribution as well as the energy of the radiation. A frequency dependent statistical figure of merit was calculated and combined with a weighted object distribution frequency spectrum to obtain an objective function which, when maximized, yielded the optimum collimator design according to the chosen criteria. The optimization was performed by means of a sequential pattern search technique. The results showed a positive correlation between the objective function and an experimental performance index evaluated for existing collimators. The optimal designs obtained by maximizing the objective function, under the assumption of no scatter within the source, exhibited somewhat higher sensitivity and lower resolution than the commercial low energy collimators tested. It was concluded that much of the resolution capability of very high resolution collimators is unused because of the limitation imposed by the intrinsic resolution of the detector assembly. (author)