X-ray source and method for generating X-ray radiation

An X-ray source comprising:

• a liquid target source configured to provide a liquid target moving along a flow axis by ejecting a liquid through a nozzle of the liquid target source;
• an electron source configured to provide an electron beam;
• and
• a liquid target shaper configured to shape the liquid target to comprise a non-circular cross section in a plane perpendicular to the flow axis, wherein the non-circular cross section has a first width along a first axis and a second width along a second axis, wherein the first width is shorter than the second width, wherein the second width is at least 150 μm, and wherein the liquid target comprises an impact portion being intersected by the first axis;
• wherein the X-ray source is configured to direct the electron beam towards the impact portion as a line focus having an aspect ratio of at least 6 such that the electron beam interacts with the liquid target within the impact portion to generate X-ray radiation;
• and
• the X-ray source further comprising:
• an arrangement configured to move a location, within the impact portion, in which the electron beam interacts with the liquid target;
• and
• a pump adapted to raise a pressure in the liquid target source to at least 50 bar for generating the liquid target.