Radiation therapy (RT) is the use of ionized radiation to safely and effectively treat cancer by controlling and eliminating malignant tumors.  Radiation damages the DNA in malignant tissue, which prevents the cell’s ability to repair itself or reproduce. 

A linear accelerator, or LINAC is used to produce and deliver the radiation beam to the targeted area through a complex system. As the X-ray tube in this system is very powerful it also has high heat load requirements, ranging up to 25 kilowatts. Temperature control of devices within the system is required to optimize radiation beam and destroy as few healthy cells as possible.