System and method for utilization of photon counting for colorization in a cabinet X-ray system

A method for obtaining colorized or grey scale density x-ray images of a specimen using a cabinet x-ray image system, wherein the cabinet x-ray image system comprises:

• a cabinet defining an interior chamber, wherein the cabinet comprises a walled enclosure surrounding the interior chamber, a door configured to cover the interior chamber and a sampling chamber for containing the specimen;
• a display;
• an x-ray unit including:
• an x-ray source;
• an x-ray detector;
• and
• a specimen platform configured for to receive the specimen;
• and
• a controller, wherein the method comprises the controller:
• selectively energizing the x-ray source to emit x-rays towards the specimen and the x-ray detector;
• controlling the x-ray detector to collect x-rays, which passed through the specimen when the x-ray source is energized;
• determining a density of different areas of the specimen by calculating a time of flight of X-ray photon particles through different areas of the specimen from data collected from the x-ray detector;
• creating a density x-ray image of the specimen, wherein the different areas of the specimen are indicated as a density or range of densities based on the determined density of different areas of the specimen, wherein the density x-ray image is colorized or grey scale;
• and
• selectively displaying the density x-ray image of the specimen on the display.