Contrast improvement of backscatter x-ray images by total variation method

The basis of backscatter X-ray imaging systems is the scattering of backscattered rays that have many applications in industry and inspection. In these images, organic materials with low atomic numbers, such as drugs and explosives, produce many scattered photons and are seen more clearly. These images are blurred due to the multiple scattered X-ray. Image processing methods can help improve contrast and material detection in backscatter X-ray (BX) images. In this research, the total variation method has been used to improve the contrast of the BX images. Firstly, the BX images of the various phantoms have been processed for evaluating the BX system, then many BX images of motorcycles are investigated. The results show that the total variation method increases the contrast of the backscattered X-ray images and can be used as the additional filter in the BX imaging system. Evaluation of experts shows that the contrast of the processed images has been significantly improved and increased between 20 to 40%.