An x-ray tube has a vacuum housing containing a cathode arrangement that emits electrons and an anode having a target surface on which the electrons, accelerated by an electrical field and forming an electron beam strike in a focal spot, and having a quadrupole magnet system including a coil, for focusing and deflection of the electron beam. A control unit is connected to the quadrupole magnet system. The control unit is supplied with, or has stored therein various parameter sets of predetermined coil currents that can be activated, so that, dependent on the respective parameter set, the focal spot can be displaced discretely in azimuthal fashion onto particular locations of the target surface of the anode.