Abstract: Techniques directed to forming and using coupling mechanisms for substrates, semiconductor packages, and/or printed circuit boards are described. One technique includes forming a substrate (205) comprising: first and second interconnect pads (213A, 213B) in or on a build-up layer (203); and first and second interconnects (211A, 211B) on the first and second interconnect pads (213A, 213B). The first interconnect pad (213A) can be located at a lower position than the second interconnect pad (213B) with regard to a z-position. The techniques described herein can assist with minimizing or eliminating solder ball bridge defects (SBBDs) that may be creating during performance of coupling technique (e.g., a reflow process, etc.).

Abstract: Techniques directed to forming and using coupling mechanisms for substrates, semiconductor packages, and/or printed circuit boards are described. One technique includes forming a substrate (205) comprising: first and second interconnect pads (213A, 213B) in or on a build-up layer (203); and first and second interconnects (211A, 211B) on the first and second interconnect pads (213A, 213B). The first interconnect pad (213A) can be located at a lower position than the second interconnect pad (213B) with regard to a z-position. The techniques described herein can assist with minimizing or eliminating solder ball bridge defects (SBBDs) that may be creating during performance of coupling technique (e.g., a reflow process, etc.).

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, processing (1400), and techniques related to applying a plurality of grooves in a portion of a surface of a first substrate (1402) and coupling a surface of a second substrate to the surface of the first substrate, wherein a selected design of the grooves is to facilitate a flow of a material to fill a volume between the first substrate surface and a second substrate surface (1404).