A multi-energy imaging system and method for selectively generating high-energy X-rays and low-energy X-ray beams are described. A pair of optic devices are used, one optic device being formed to emit high X-ray energies and the other optic device being formed to emit low X-ray energies. A selective filtering mechanism is used to filter the high X-ray energies from the low X-ray energies. The optic devices have at least a first solid phase layer having a first index of refraction with a first photon transmission property and a second solid phase layer having a second index of refraction with a second photon transmission property. The first and second layers are conformal to each other.