Abstract:
An X-ray tube assembly (10) includes an anode (14), a cathode (12), and an X-ray transparent window (16). The anode (14) includes an X-ray-producing target (18) having a surface (20). The cathode (14) has an electron-beam axis (22) which intersects the target surface (20) at a focal point (24) and which is oriented at a first angle, (26) with respect to the target surface (20), of between and including fifteen and sixty degrees. The window (16) includes a surface (28) having a center point (30). A line between the focal and center points makes a second angle, with respect to the target surface (20), which is less than the first angle. A method for producing X-rays employs these angles.