Field replacable, disposable, and thermally optimized x-ray target with integral beam current monitoring

A radiation delivery system, comprising:

• a linear accelerator;
• a target material to produce radiation upon being struck by electrons accelerated by the linear accelerator;
• a target holder assembly to which the target material is attached, the target holder assembly comprising a cooling channel disposed around a perimeter of the target material, and wherein the target holder assembly is configured to be detachably coupled to a housing of the linear accelerator;
• and
• a protective window coupled to the target holder assembly over the target material.

A method comprising:

• coupling a target assembly externally to a housing of a linear accelerator, the target assembly comprising:
• a target material to produce radiation upon being struck by electrons accelerated by the linear accelerator;
• a target holder assembly to which the target material is attached, the target holder assembly comprising a serpentine cooling channel disposed around a perimeter of the target material, and
• a protective window coupled to the target holder assembly over the target material;
• and
• generating a treatment beam of radiation using the linear accelerator to accelerate an electron beam to strike the target material of the target assembly.