Microscale Heat Conduction in Integrated Circuits and Their Constituent Films : Springer : 9780792385912 : 0792385918 : 31 Aug 1999 : Advances in the semiconductor technology have enabled steady, exponential im­ provement in the performance of integrated circuits. Miniaturization allows the integration of a larger number of transistors with enhanced switching speed. Novel transistor structures and passivation materials diminish circuit delay by minimizing parasitic electrical capacitance. These advances, however, pose several challenges for the thermal engineering of integrated circuits. The low thermal conductivities of passivation layers result in large temperature rises and temperature gradient magni­ tudes, which degrade electrical characteristics of transistors and reduce lifetimes of interconnects. As dimensions of transistors and interconnects decrease, the result­ ing changes in current density and thermal capacitance make these elements more susceptible to failure during brief