Image acquisition optimization

A system comprising:

• a source;
• and
• an image acquisition control module configured to generate a control signal, wherein the control signal indicates for the source to emit a first pulse of x-rays and a second pulse of x-rays,
• wherein the source is configured to, in response to the control signal, emit the first pulse of x-rays while emitting at least a portion of the second pulse of x-rays, and
• wherein the first pulse of x-rays has a different pulse width or a different duty cycle than the second pulse of x-rays.

A method comprising:

• determining whether to emit a single pulse of x-rays or a plurality of pulses of x-rays;
• generate a control signal based on the determination;
• in response to the control signal indicating emission of the single pulse of x-rays, emit the single pulse of x-rays to have a different magnitude or a different pulse width than one of the plurality of pulses of x-rays;
• and
• in response to the control signal indicating emission of the plurality of pulses of x-rays, (i) emit the one of the plurality of pulses of x-rays to have a different magnitude or a different pulse width than the single pulse of x-rays, or (ii) emit a first pulse of x-rays while emitting at least a portion of a second pulse of x-rays, wherein the first pulse of x-rays has a different pulse width or a different duty cycle than the second pulse of x-rays.