Abstract: The formation of electronic assemblies including a heat spreader coupled to a die through a thermal interface material is described. In one embodiment, the heat spreader includes a surface having a structure extending a distance outward therefrom. The thermal interface material includes a first region having a first thickness and a second region having a second thickness, the first thickness being smaller than the second thickness. The structure extending a distance outward from the heat spreader is positioned on the first region of the thermal interface material. The total of the first thickness of the thermal interface material and the distance the structure extends outward from the surface of the heat spreader is substantially the same as the second thickness. In one aspect of certain embodiments, the first region of the thermal interface material and the structure on the heat spreader are in alignment with a hot spot on the die. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a thermal spacer for stacked die package thermal management is presented. In this regard, an apparatus is introduced having a top integrated circuit die, a bottom integrated circuit die, and a thermal spacer between the top and bottom integrated circuit dice, the thermal spacer comprising a heat conducting material and the thermal spacer overhanging and extending parallel with one outside edge of the bottom integrated circuit die. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A thermal interface includes an array of generally aligned carbon nanotubes joined to a surface with a metal layer. The array of carbon nanotubes includes a coating on the ends of the carbon nanotubes for improved wetting of the metal layer to the ends of the carbon nanotubes so that the thermal resistance at the interface between the carbon nanotubes ends and the metal is reduced. A semiconductor device that employs a thermal interface of the invention, and a method for fabricating the thermal interfaces are also provided.

Abstract: A thermal interface material (TIM) including a mechanically compliant matrix material which contains thermally conductive particles and thermally conductive nanofibers is provided. Such a TIM provides enhanced thermal conductivity without excessive viscosity when the nanofiber volume concentration is above a threshold value for enhanced thermal conductivity.