An x-ray tube, comprising: an evacuated enclosure (116; 204; 408; 508); a cathode (208; 510) disposed within the evacuated enclosure (116; 204; 408; 508); an anode (118; 206; 302; 402; 504; 604) disposed within the evacuated enclosure (116; 204; 408; 508) opposite the cathode (208; 510) so as to receive electrons emitted by the cathode (208; 510); a rotor sleeve (222; 304; 512; 605) coupled to the anode (118; 206; 302; 402; 504; 604), the rotor sleeve (222; 304; 512; 605) being responsive to applied electromagnetic fields such that a rotational motion is imparted to the anode (118; 206; 302; 402; 504; 604); a magnetic assist bearing assembly (220; 308; 410; 502; 602) rotatably supporting the anode (118; 206; 302; 402; 504; 604), the magnetic assist bearing assembly (220; 308; 410; 502; 602) including: a ball bearing assembly (246; 520; 608) having a shaft (250; 522; 610) coupled to the anode (118; 206; 302; 402; 504; 604), the rotor sleeve (222; 304; 512; 605) being disposed about the ball bearing assembly (246; 520; 608); and one or more magnetic elements imposing a magnetic field, wherein the ball bearing assembly (246; 520; 608) and the one or more magnetic elements cooperate to shoulder a load imposed by the anode (118; 206; 302; 402; 504; 604) during rotation; wherein the magnetic assist bearing assembly comprises an active magnetic assist bearing assembly, including: means for detecting a magnitude of a load exerted on the ball bearing assembly by the anode during rotation of the anode, said means comprising one or more sensors; wherein the one or more magnetic elements comprise one or more magnetic actuators (244; 578) disposed about the rotor sleeve (222; 304; 512; 605) and configured to shoulder a portion of the detected load; and wherein the ball bearing assembly (246; 520; 608) stabilizes the anode (118; 206; 302; 402; 504; 602) during rotation of the anode (118; 206; 302; 402; 504; 604); characterized in that the x-ray tube further comprises an outer enclosure (114; 202; 506) within which the evacuated enclosure (116; 204; 408; 508) is disposed, wherein the one or more sensors are coupled between the evacuated enclosure (116; 204; 408; 508) and the outer enclosure (114; 202; 506). an evacuated enclosure (116; 204; 408; 508); a cathode (208; 510) disposed within the evacuated enclosure (116; 204; 408; 508); an anode (118; 206; 302; 402; 504; 604) disposed within the evacuated enclosure (116; 204; 408; 508) opposite the cathode (208; 510) so as to receive electrons emitted by the cathode (208; 510); a rotor sleeve (222; 304; 512; 605) coupled to the anode (118; 206; 302; 402; 504; 604), the rotor sleeve (222; 304; 512; 605) being responsive to applied electromagnetic fields such that a rotational motion is imparted to the anode (118; 206; 302; 402; 504; 604); a magnetic assist bearing assembly (220; 308; 410; 502; 602) rotatably supporting the anode (118; 206; 302; 402; 504; 604), the magnetic assist bearing assembly (220; 308; 410; 502; 602) including: a ball bearing assembly (246; 520; 608) having a shaft (250; 522; 610) coupled to the anode (118; 206; 302; 402; 504; 604), the rotor sleeve (222; 304; 512; 605) being disposed about the ball bearing assembly (246; 520; 608); and one or more magnetic elements imposing a magnetic field, wherein the ball bearing assembly (246; 520; 608) and the one or more magnetic elements cooperate to shoulder a load imposed by the anode (118; 206; 302; 402; 504; 604) during rotation; wherein the magnetic assist bearing assembly comprises an active magnetic assist bearing assembly, including: means for detecting a magnitude of a load exerted on the ball bearing assembly by the anode during rotation of the anode, said means comprising one or more sensors; wherein the one or more magnetic elements comprise one or more magnetic actuators (244; 578) disposed about the rotor sleeve (222; 304; 512; 605) and configured to shoulder a portion of the detected load; and wherein the ball bearing assembly (246; 520; 608) stabilizes the anode (118; 206; 302; 402; 504; 602) during rotation of the anode (118; 206; 302; 402; 504; 604); a ball bearing assembly (246; 520; 608) having a shaft (250; 522; 610) coupled to the anode (118; 206; 302; 402; 504; 604), the rotor sleeve (222; 304; 512; 605) being disposed about the ball bearing assembly (246; 520; 608); and one or more magnetic elements imposing a magnetic field, wherein the ball bearing assembly (246; 520; 608) and the one or more magnetic elements cooperate to shoulder a load imposed by the anode (118; 206; 302; 402; 504; 604) during rotation; wherein the magnetic assist bearing assembly comprises an active magnetic assist bearing assembly, including: means for detecting a magnitude of a load exerted on the ball bearing assembly by the anode during rotation of the anode, said means comprising one or more sensors; wherein the one or more magnetic elements comprise one or more magnetic actuators (244; 578) disposed about the rotor sleeve (222; 304; 512; 605) and configured to shoulder a portion of the detected load; and wherein the ball bearing assembly (246; 520; 608) stabilizes the anode (118; 206; 302; 402; 504; 602) during rotation of the anode (118; 206; 302; 402; 504; 604);