| abstract |
A transmission line for high performance radio frequency (RF) applications is disclosed. The transmission line can include a bonding layer configured to receive an RF signal, a barrier layer, a diffusion barrier layer, and a conductive layer proximate to the diffusion barrier layer. The diffusion barrier layer can have a thickness to allow one of the received RF signals to penetrate the diffusion barrier layer to the conductive layer. In certain embodiments, the diffusion barrier layer can be nickel. In some of these embodiments, the transmission line can include a gold bonding layer, a palladium barrier layer, and a nickel diffusion barrier layer. |