Moxtek TUB00050 Series 50 kV Microfocus X-ray Tube with Integrated High-Voltage Cable

Overview

The Moxtek TUB00050 Series is a compact, air-cooled microfocus X-ray tube engineered for integration into portable, benchtop, and OEM analytical systems requiring stable, low-power X-ray generation. Operating on the principle of electron bombardment of a solid anode target—where accelerated electrons from a thermionic cathode strike a metal target to produce characteristic X-ray lines and bremsstrahlung radiation—the TUB00050 delivers precisely controllable output across a 4–50 kV tube voltage range. Its monolithic design integrates the X-ray generating head with a dedicated high-voltage (HV) cable—eliminating external HV connectors and minimizing electrical noise, arcing risk, and mechanical misalignment. The tube’s 10 W maximum power rating, combined with sub-100 µm effective focal spot size (typical for Moxtek microfocus tubes), enables high spatial resolution in X-ray fluorescence (XRF), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission radiography, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) applications where source stability and geometric sharpness are critical.

Key Features

• Integrated high-voltage cable (1–11.5 inch length options) ensures repeatable electrical coupling and reduces EMI susceptibility during system integration.
• Ultra-compact form factor (≤500 g total mass) supports space-constrained platforms including handheld analyzers, robotic inspection cells, and miniaturized lab-on-chip systems.
• Stable output performance with <±0.1% voltage regulation and <0.3% current ripple under constant DC input, enabling reproducible spectral acquisition over extended duty cycles.
• Multiple anode material options (Ag, W, Pd, Rh, Ta, Au) allow optimization of characteristic line energies (e.g., Ag Kα at 22.1 keV, Rh Kα at 20.2 keV, W Lα at 8.4 keV) for specific elemental excitation or absorption-edge matching.
• Low-voltage DC input (6–12 VDC) simplifies power supply design and enhances safety compliance in Class I and II embedded instrumentation.
• Hermetically sealed ceramic-metal envelope provides long-term vacuum integrity and resistance to thermal cycling degradation.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The TUB00050 is compatible with non-vacuum and low-vacuum sample environments typical of benchtop XRF, thickness gauging, and polymer additive analysis. It meets IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC emission limits) and complies with RoHS 2011/65/EU for hazardous substance restrictions. While not classified as a medical device, its design adheres to general radiation safety principles outlined in ANSI N43.3 and IEC 62495 for industrial X-ray generators. Integration into final systems must follow local regulatory requirements for X-ray-emitting equipment—including interlock circuitry, beam collimation, and operator shielding—per ISO 20816-1 and national radiation protection ordinances. No FDA 510(k) clearance or CE marking is applied to the bare tube; end-system certification remains the responsibility of the OEM integrator.

Software & Data Management

As a hardware-level X-ray source, the TUB00050 does not include embedded firmware or onboard control software. It operates under analog or digital setpoint control via external HV power supplies (e.g., Moxtek’s XRS series or third-party compatible modules). System-level data management—including dose logging, exposure timing, and parameter traceability—is implemented through host instrument software compliant with ASTM E1318 (Standard Specification for X-Ray Systems for Industrial Radiography) and aligned with GLP/GMP audit requirements when deployed in regulated QA/QC workflows. Full parameter history (voltage, current, runtime, thermal status) can be recorded via RS-232 or analog I/O interfaces when paired with validated control electronics supporting 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic signatures and audit trails.

Applications

• Portable and handheld XRF analyzers for alloy sorting, mining exploration, and environmental soil screening.
• OEM integration into automated thickness measurement systems for metal foil, battery electrode, and coating uniformity verification.
• Benchtop micro-XRF mapping systems requiring high-brightness, low-divergence sources for micron-scale elemental distribution analysis.
• Custom transmission imaging setups for low-Z material inspection (e.g., composites, plastics, pharmaceutical tablets).
• Research-grade educational platforms demonstrating X-ray physics fundamentals, including characteristic line emission, absorption edges, and bremsstrahlung continuum behavior.

FAQ

What anode materials are available for the TUB00050, and how do they affect X-ray output?
Available anodes include Ag, W, Pd, Rh, Ta, and Au—each producing distinct characteristic Kα and Lα lines. Selection depends on target element excitation energy, detector efficiency, and desired spectral contrast.
Is the TUB00050 suitable for vacuum-based systems?
No—it is designed for atmospheric or low-pressure inert gas environments only. Vacuum compatibility requires a different envelope configuration (e.g., Moxtek’s VAC-series tubes).
Can the HV cable be customized beyond 11.5 inches?
Standard configurations cap at 11.5 inches; longer cables introduce voltage drop and noise sensitivity—custom lengths require engineering review and may impact stability specifications.
Does the tube include built-in temperature monitoring or feedback?
No—thermal management relies on passive conduction and ambient airflow; external thermistor integration is recommended for continuous-duty operation above 5 W.
What is the expected operational lifetime under nominal conditions?
Rated for ≥5,000 hours at ≤8 W average power with proper thermal derating; lifetime scales inversely with operating voltage, current, and duty cycle per Moxtek’s reliability model TN-007.