Multiple, columnar liquid vapor chamber allows for effective heat removal from finite, concentrated heat source by heat spreading via lateral vapor flow, while minimizing conduction resistance through thinner evaporator wick. The individual liquid arteries are designed by wick coated solid pillar. We optimize the artery geometry, numbers, and distribution, for both liquid and air-cooled, finned condensers, and show that the overall thermal resistance is substantially lower than the uniform wick vapor chamber. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.