The present invention refers to X-
ray tubes for use in imaging applications with an improved
power rating and, more particularly, to a multi-segment
anode target (102′) for an X-
ray based
scanner system using an X-
ray tube of the rotary
anode type, said X-ray tube comprising a rotatably supported essentially disk-shaped rotary
anode (102) with an anode target (102′) for emitting X-
radiation when being exposed to an
electron beam (105a) incident on a surface of said anode target (102′), wherein said rotary anode disk (102) is divided into at least two anode disk segments (102a and 102b) with each of said anode disk segments having a
conical surface inclined by a distinct
acute angle (α) with respect to a plane normal to the
rotational axis (103a) of said rotary anode disk (102) and thus having its own focal track width. A
control unit for pulsing the
electron beam (105a) is provided which is adapted for pulsing the
electron beam (105a) such that the electron beam has a
duty cycle which takes on its switched on state only when incident on a selectable anode disk segment (102a or 102b) with an inclination angle (α) from a given
angular range or on a anyone from a selectable set of these anode disk segments (102a or 102b). Controlling the electron beam's
pulse sequence thereby allows to select the optimal segment of the focal spot track (106b) with the smallest possible inclination angle (α) dependent on the angular size (β) of a desired
field of view and helps to achieve a maximum brightness of the focal spot (106) as well as a maximized
power rating. An
advantage of the invention consists in an enhanced
image quality compared to conventional rotary anodes as known from the prior art.