A multi-detector system receiving incident radiation through a subject includes a gaseous microstrip detector (60), which has alternating anodes (68) and cathodes (70) on a substrate (66) opposite a voltage source (64), is positioned adjacent a semiconductor detector (62). In a dual energy environment, electric fields are applied to both detectors as the incident radiation (18) is directed therethrough. Accordingly, the detectors generate corresponding signals which are compared to generate a contrasted signal of the subject. These signals may be generated for imaging, radiation monitoring, radiation measuring, and the like. The direction of incident radiation and the orientation of the electric fields may be adjusted according to the particular application. Additionally, the system can be utilized in a single-energy environment where two images of the same incident radiation energy will be formed from the different detector media. By utilizing various processing techniques, enhanced contrast between the images can be obtained.
