An x-ray tube anode can include an electron hole extending from an electron entry at an exterior of the anode into a core of the anode, and an x-ray hole extending from an x-ray exit at the exterior of the anode into the core of the anode. The x-ray hole can intersect the electron hole at the core of the anode. In one embodiment, the electron hole and the x-ray hole can form a seamless bore from the electron entry to the x-ray exit. In another embodiment, the anode can be a single, integral, monolithic material with a single bore extending therethrough. In another embodiment, the core of the anode can include a target material located at a concave wall of the core of the anode.

An anode for an X-ray tube can include one or more of an yttrium-oxide derivative, titanium diboride, boron carbide, titanium suboxide, reaction-bonded silicon carbide, and reaction-bonded silicon nitride. Upon collision with an anode, the kinetic energy of an electron beam in an X-ray tube is converted to high-frequency electromagnetic waves, i.e., X-rays. An anode from one or more of the above materials and a gradient distribution of conductive metals can reduce costs and/or weight, extend the life of the anode or associated components (e.g., bearings) and simultaneously provide a higher heat storage capacity as compared to traditional molybdenum and tungsten anodes.

Improved heat transfer from an x-ray tube can be accomplished with a heatsink surrounding at least part of an x-ray tube. The heatsink can be electrically connected to an anode of the x-ray tube and can be an electrical current path. The heatsink can include a plurality of protrusions extending radially outward from the x-ray tube and can be a single, integral substance extending from an inner-surface of the heatsink to a distal-end of the protrusions.

An analytical X-ray tube with an anode target material that emits characteristic X-rays in response to excitation by an electron beam may include any of several advantageous features. The target material is deposited on a diamond substrate layer, and a metal carbide intermediate layer may be provided between the target material and substrate that provides enhanced bonding therebetween. An interface layer may also be used that provides an acoustic impedance matching between the target material and the substrate. For a low thermal conductivity target material, a heat dissipation layer of a higher thermal conductivity material may also be included between the target material and substrate to enhance thermal transfer. The target material may have a thickness that corresponds to a maximum penetration depth of the electrons of the electron beam, and the structure may be such that a predetermined temperature range is maintained at the substrate interface.

According to one embodiment, a device includes an instruction unit which records in a recording medium, event-related data of when an event is detected and monitoring data of when the event occurs, and a display data output unit which outputs from the recording medium and plays as display data, the event-related data and a part of the monitoring data corresponding to the event-related data. If there is a specification input to the displayed event-related data, the monitoring data corresponding to the event-related data is played.

An anode for an X-ray tube can include one or more of an yttrium-oxide derivative, titanium diboride, boron carbide, titanium suboxide, reaction-bonded silicon carbide, and reaction-bonded silicon nitride. Upon collision with an anode, the kinetic energy of an electron beam in an X-ray tube is converted to high-frequency electromagnetic waves, i.e., X-rays. An anode from one or more of the above materials and a gradient distribution of conductive metals can reduce costs and/or weight, extend the life of the anode or associated components (e.g., bearings) and simultaneously provide a higher heat storage capacity as compared to traditional molybdenum and tungsten anodes.

Improved heat transfer from an x-ray tube can be accomplished with a heatsink surrounding at least part of an x-ray tube. The heatsink can be electrically connected to an anode of the x-ray tube and can be an electrical current path. The heatsink can include a plurality of protrusions extending radially outward from the x-ray tube and can be a single, integral substance extending from an inner-surface of the heatsink to a distal-end of the protrusions.

An x-ray tube can provide x-ray spot stability, even for a small x-ray tube. The x-ray tube can have small target displacement, where target displacement is a displacement of the target material, towards the electron-emitter, along a longitudinal-axis of the anode, from x-ray powered-off state to stable operation, based on elongation of the anode. The x-ray tube can include a heatsink with an array of fins extending away from a base in opposite directions. A first fan can be attached to one end of the array of fins, oriented to face the base, and configured to direct an airstream towards the base. A second fan can be attached to opposite ends, oriented to face away from the base, and configured to draw the airstream from the base. Plate(s) can be located on sides of the fins to direct air flow from the first fan to the second fan.

According to one embodiment, a device includes an instruction unit which records in a recording medium, event-related data of when an event is detected and monitoring data of when the event occurs, and a display data output unit which outputs from the recording medium and plays as display data, the event-related data and a part of the monitoring data corresponding to the event-related data. If there is a specification input to the displayed event-related data, the monitoring data corresponding to the event-related data is played.

According to one embodiment, a device includes an instruction unit which records in a recording medium, event-related data of when an event is detected and monitoring data of when the event occurs, and a display data output unit which outputs from the recording medium and plays as display data, the event-related data and a part of the monitoring data corresponding to the event-related data. If there is a specification input to the displayed event-related data, the monitoring data corresponding to the event-related data is played.