A dual-energy x-ray imaging system searches a moving automobile for
concealed objects. Dual energy operation is achieved by operating an
x-ray source at a constant potential of 100 KV to 150 KV, and alternately
switching between two beam filters. The first filter is an atomic element
having a high k-edge energy, such as platinum, gold, mercury, thallium,
lead, bismuth, and thorium, thereby providing a low-energy spectrum. The
second filter provides a high-energy spectrum through beam hardening. The
low and high energy beams passing through the automobile are received by
an x-ray detector. These detected signals are processed by a digital
computer to create a steel suppressed image through logarithmic
subtraction. The intensity of the x-ray beam is adjusted as the
reciprocal of the measured automobile speed, thereby achieving a
consistent radiation level regardless of the automobile motion.
Accordingly, this invention provides images of organic objects concealed
within moving automobiles without the detritus effects of overlying steel
and automobile movement.