one embodiment thermally conductive layer 322 includes two aluminum blocks a work press 325 and a blade pack 326 in other embodiments work press 325 and blade pack 326 are formed from a single piece of material thermally conductive layer 322 preferably exhibits a thermal conductivity of between 40 and 450 w mk the lower surface of blade pack 326 a second surface 328 of thermally conductive layer 322 is in thermal contact with the top surface 309 of electrically resistive layer 307 a third surface of thermal energy source 305 finally the lower surface 308 of electrically resistive layer 307 a fourth surface of thermal energy source 305 can be in thermal contact with the upper surface of a packaged integrated circuit the arrangement and composition of structures 320 325 326 and 307 make up source 305 which is part of an efficient thermal energy transfer system that optimally conducts thermal energy between the thermal energy generator 320 and a dut also the system maximizes thermal surface contact area between work press 325 and blade pack 326 further enhancing thermal conduction thermally conductive layer 322 has an aperture 330 that extends through electrically resistive layer 307 blade pack 326 and work press 325 in the current embodiment aperture 330 does not extend through work press 325 a retraction mechanism including a central passage 340 runs from the upper end 331 of aperture 330 to a vacuum source not shown.