A scintillated CCD detector system for imaging x rays uses x-rays having a photon energy in the range of 1 to 20 keV. The detector differs from existing systems in that it provides extremely high resolution of better than a micrometer, and high detection quantum efficiency of up to 95%. The design of this detector also allows it to function as an energy filter to remove high-energy x-rays. This detector is useful in a wide range of applications including x-ray imaging, spectroscopy, and diffraction. The scintillator optical system has scintillator material with a lens system for collecting the light that is generated in the scintillator material. A substrate is used for spacing the scintillator material from the lens system.