Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for providing anisotropic etching of a metallization layer of a substrate. In an embodiment, the metallization layer includes grains of a conductor, wherein a first average grain size and a second average grain size correspond, respectively, to a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer of the metallization layer. The first sub-layer and the second sub-layer each span at least 5% of a thickness of the metallization layer. A difference between the first average grain size and the second average grain size is at least 10% of the first average grain size. In another embodiment, a first condition of metallization processing contributes to grains of the first sub-layer being relatively large, wherein an alternative condition of metallization processing contributes to grains of the second sub-layer being relatively small. A grain size gradient across a thickness of the metallization layer facilitates etching processes being anisotropic.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a capacitor device or a manufacturing process flow for creating a capacitor that includes nanoislands within a package. The capacitor a first conductive plate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side and a second conductive plate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side where the first side of the first conductive plate faces the first side of the second conductive plate. A first plurality of nanoislands is distributed on the first side of the first conductive plate and a second plurality of nanoislands is distributed on the first side of the second conductive plate, where the first conductive plate, the second conductive plate, and the first and second pluralities of nanoislands form a capacitor. The nanoislands may be applied to the conductive plates using a sputtering technique.

Abstract: Embodiments include package substrates and method of forming the package substrates. A package substrate includes a first encapsulation layer over a substrate, and a second encapsulation layer below the substrate. The package substrate also includes a first interconnect and a second interconnect vertically in the first encapsulation layer, the second encapsulation layer, and the substrate. The first interconnect includes a first plated-through-hole (PTH) core, a first via, and a second via, and the second interconnect includes a second PTH core, a third via, and a fourth via. The package substrate further includes a magnetic portion that vertically surrounds the first interconnect. The first PTH core has a top surface directly coupled to the first via, and a bottom surface directly coupled to the second via. The second PTH core has a top surface directly coupled to the third via, and a bottom surface directly coupled to the fourth via.

Abstract: Double-patterning methods for build-up metallization features suitable for IC package assemblies. Double-patterned metallization features may, for example, achieve approximately twice the aspect ratio of single patterned metallization features for a given photolithography technology node. High aspect ratio metallization features may include a top feature portion that is over a bottom feature portion. The top and bottom portions each have a distinct sidewall slope indicative of their double-patterning. A hybrid plating mask may be employed during a metallization plating process. The hybrid mask may include multiple layers of photoresist to reach a desired mask thickness. Multiple exposures may be performed to incrementally image the hybrid plating mask, thereby maintaining better resolution for each exposure.

Abstract: A device is disclosed. The device includes a first insulating film structure, a plurality of conductor layers above the first insulating film structure, a Ti structure and a nanocube structure between respective layers of the plurality of conductor layers, the nanocube structure above the Ti structure, and a second insulating film structure above a topmost conductor layer of the plurality of conductor layers.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include electronic packages with a ground plate embedded in the solder resist that extends over signal traces. In an embodiment, the electronic package comprises a substrate layer, a trace over the substrate layer, and a first pad over the substrate layer. In an embodiment, a solder resist is disposed over the trace and the first pad. In an embodiment a trench is formed into the solder resist, and the trench extends over the trace. In an embodiment, a conductive plate is disposed in the trench, and is electrically coupled to the first pad by a via that extends from a bottom surface of the trench through the solder resist.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include electronic packages and methods of forming such packages. In an embodiment, an electronic package comprises a package substrate, a first die over the package substrate, the first die having a first bump pitch, a second die over the package substrate, the second die having a second bump pitch that is greater than the first bump pitch, and a plurality of conductive traces over the package substrate, the plurality of conductive traces electrically coupling the first die to the second die. In an embodiment, a first end region of the plurality of conductive traces proximate to the first die has a first line space (L/S) dimension, and a second end region of the plurality of conductive traces proximate to the second die has a second L/S dimension. In an embodiment, the second L/S dimension is greater than the first L/S dimension.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include electronic packages and methods of forming such packages. In an embodiment, the electronic package comprises a substrate and a conductive feature over the substrate. In an embodiment, a metallic mask is positioned over the conductive feature. In an embodiment, the metallic mask extends beyond a first edge of the conductive feature and a second edge of the conductive feature.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for providing anisotropic etching of a metallization layer of a substrate. In an embodiment, the metallization layer includes grains of a conductor, wherein a first average grain size and a second average grain size correspond, respectively, to a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer of the metallization layer. The first sub-layer and the second sub-layer each span at least 5% of a thickness of the metallization layer. A difference between the first average grain size and the second average grain size is at least 10% of the first average grain size. In another embodiment, a first condition of metallization processing contributes to grains of the first sub-layer being relatively large, wherein an alternative condition of metallization processing contributes to grains of the second sub-layer being relatively small. A grain size gradient across a thickness of the metallization layer facilitates etching processes being anisotropic.

Abstract: Microelectronic assemblies, and related devices and methods, are disclosed herein. For example, in some embodiments, a microelectronic assembly may include a substrate layer having a surface; a first conductive trace having a first thickness on the surface of the substrate layer; and a second conductive trace having a second thickness on the surface of the substrate layer, wherein the second thickness is different from the first thickness. In some embodiments, the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace have rectangular cross-sections.

Abstract: Embodiments include one or more air core inductors (ACIs) and a method of forming the ACIs. The ACI includes a first inductor loop on a substrate. The first inductor loop has a first line and a second line. The first line has a first thickness that is greater than a second thickness of the second line. The ACI also includes a dielectric over the substrate and the first and second lines. The first line has a top surface above a top surface of the second line. The ACI further includes a second inductor loop on the dielectric and the first inductor loop. The second inductor loop has is coupled to the top surface of the first line of the first inductor loop. The first inductor loop may also have a third thickness, where the third thickness is the distance between the top surfaces of the first and second line.

Abstract: A method of anisotropic etching comprises forming a metal layer above a substrate. A mask layer is formed on the metal layer with openings defined in the mask layer to expose portions of the metal layer. The exposed portions of the metal layer are introduced to an active etchant solution that includes nanoparticles as an insoluble banking agent. In further embodiments, the exposed portions of the metal layer are introduced to a magnetic and/or an electrical field.

Abstract: Embodiments may relate to a semiconductor package that includes a routing trace coupled with a substrate. The routing trace may be linear on a side of the routing trace between the substrate and a top of the routing trace. The semiconductor package may further include a power trace coupled with the substrate. The power trace may be concave on a side of the power trace between the substrate and a top of the power trace. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are via-trace structures with improved alignment, and related package substrates, packages, and computing device. For example, in some embodiments, a package substrate may include a conductive trace, and a conductive via in contact with the conductive trace. The alignment offset between the conductive trace and the conductive via may be less than 10 microns, and conductive trace may have a bell-shaped cross-section or the conductive via may have a flared shape.

Abstract: A method of anisotropic etching comprises forming a metal layer above a substrate. A mask layer is formed on the metal layer with openings defined in the mask layer to expose portions of the metal layer. The exposed portions of the metal layer are introduced to an active etchant solution that includes nanoparticles as an insoluble banking agent. In further embodiments, the exposed portions of the metal layer are introduced to a magnetic and/or an electrical field.