Abstract: The high quality x-ray sources, especially for the microfocal x-ray source with high-brightness are crucial components for modern x-ray imaging techniques. They are widely used in applications such as non-destructive diagnostics, lifescience, material science, and biomedicine. The methods to make the microfocal x-ray source and its applications are briefly introduced. Various focusing x-ray optical elements related to microfocal x-ray, including Kirkpatrick-Baez mirror, multilayer mirror, Fresnel zone plate, Bragg-Fnesnel zone plate, polycapillary x-ray lens, multilayer blazed grating, compound refractive x-ray lens, are introduced. The potential applications for the microfocal x-ray source in mircometer and nanometer test and analysis are discussed.