Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 17/659,135

SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Apr 13, 2022
Priority
Aug 18, 2021 — RE 10-2021-0108731
Examiner
GOODWIN, DAVID J
Art Unit
2817
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
OA Round
6 (Final)
67%
Grant Probability
Favorable
7-8
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
84%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 67% — above average
67%
Career Allowance Rate
553 granted / 821 resolved
-0.6% vs TC avg
Strong +16% interview lift
Without
With
+16.5%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 2m
Avg Prosecution
54 currently pending
Career history
892
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.1%
-39.9% vs TC avg
§103
60.4%
+20.4% vs TC avg
§102
17.8%
-22.2% vs TC avg
§112
18.6%
-21.4% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 821 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Claim Status Previous action: claims 1 through 12 and 14 through 20 rejected Present action: claims 1 through 12 and 14 through 20 rejected Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. Rejection Note: Italicized and struck through claim limitations indicate limitations that are not explicitly disclosed in the primary reference, but disclosed in the secondary reference(s). Claim(s) 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, and 11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Noh (US 2019/0393315) in view of Hsu (US 2019/0172752) Regarding claim 1. Noh teaches: A semiconductor device (fig 5:100a[0054]), comprising: a substrate (fig 5:101[0030]); an active pattern (fig 5:105[0030]) disposed on the substrate (fig 5:101[0030]) and that extends in a first horizontal direction (fig 5:x[0029]); a field insulating layer (fig 5:107[0054]) disposed on the substrate (fig 5:101[0030]) and that surrounds a sidewall of the active pattern (fig 5:105[0030]); a gate electrode (fig 5:147,145[0038]) disposed on the field insulating layer (fig 5:107[0054]) and that extends in a second horizontal direction (fig 5:y[0029]) different from the first horizontal direction (fig 5:x[0029]); a source/drain region (fig 5:110[0054]) disposed on at least one side of the gate electrode (fig 5:147,145[0038]); a first interlayer insulating layer (fig 5,6:153[0054]) disposed on the field insulating layer (fig 5:107[0054]) and that surrounds a portion of a sidewall of the source/drain region (fig 5:110[0054]); a second interlayer insulating layer (fig 6b:155[0054]) disposed on the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 5,6:153[0054]) and that surrounds a sidewall of the gate electrode (fig 5:147,145[0038]); and a source/drain contact (fig 5,6b:180[0054]) that penetrates through the second interlayer insulating layer (fig 6b:155[0054])in a vertical direction (fig 5,6:Z[0029])and is electrically connected to the source/drain region (fig 5:110[0054]), wherein the source/drain contact (fig 5,6b:180[0054]) includes a portion of a lower sidewall of the source/drain contact (fig 5,6b:180[0054]) toward the second interlayer insulating layer (fig 6b:155[0054]) in the second horizontal direction (fig 5:y[0029]), and in a cross-section of the semiconductor device (fig 5:100a[0054]): the [portion] is disposed above an upper surface of the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 5:107[0054]) with respect to the substrate (fig 5:101[0030]) and has a sidewall having a slope with respect to the upper surface of the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 5:107[0054]) , and the portion of the lower sidewall of the source/drain contact (fig 5,6b:180[0054]) is disposed below a level of an upper surface of the source/drain region (fig 5:110[0054]) with respect to the substrate (fig 5:101[0030]). PNG media_image1.png 392 674 media_image1.png Greyscale Noh does not teach the source drain contact comprises a skirt Hsu teaches: wherein the source/drain contact (fig 8:78[0028]) includes a skirt that protrudes from a portion of a lower sidewall of the source/drain contact (fig 8:78[0028]) toward the second interlayer insulating layer (fig 8:34[0014]) in the horizontal direction, and in a cross-section of the semiconductor device: the skirt is disposed above an upper surface of the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 8:16[0009]) with respect to the substrate (fig 8:12[0011]) and has a sidewall having a slope with respect to the upper surface of the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 8:16[0009]) that is less than a slope of the portion of the lower sidewall of the source/drain contact (fig 8:78[0028]) with respect to the upper surface of the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 8:16[0009]), and the portion of the lower sidewall of the source/drain contact (fig 8:78[0028]). PNG media_image2.png 489 777 media_image2.png Greyscale It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the contact with a skirt in order that the area of contact and the size of the lower contact portion can provide lower resistance while the size of the contact is reduced (paragraph 3). Regarding claim 2. Noh in view of Hsu teaches the semiconductor device of claim 1, further Hsu teaches: a width of a lower surface of the source/drain contact (fig 8:78[0028])in the second horizontal direction is greater than a width of an upper surface of the source/drain contact (fig 8:78[0028])in the second horizontal direction. PNG media_image3.png 588 293 media_image3.png Greyscale Regarding claim 3. Noh in view of Hsu teaches the semiconductor device of claim 1, further Noh teaches: the source/drain contact (fig 5,6b:180[0046]) includes a first portion disposed on the source/drain region (fig 5:110[0054]) and a second portion disposed on the first portion (fig 6b annotated), the first portion includes first and second sidewalls that oppose each other in the second horizontal direction (fig 5,6b:y[0029]), and the second portion includes first and second sidewalls that oppose each other in the second horizontal direction (fig 5,6b:y[0029]), and the first sidewall of the first portion is continuous with the first sidewall of the second portion, and the second sidewall of the first portion is continuous with the second sidewall of the second portion. PNG media_image4.png 611 880 media_image4.png Greyscale Hsu teaches: the first sidewall of the first portion is continuous with the first sidewall of the second portion, and the second sidewall of the first portion is continuous with the second sidewall of the second portion (fig 8). Regarding claim 4. Noh in view of Hsu teaches the semiconductor device of claim 3, further Hsu teaches: the skirt includes: a first skirt that protrudes from the first sidewall of the first portion; and a second skirt that protrudes from the second sidewall of the first portion. PNG media_image5.png 399 536 media_image5.png Greyscale Regarding claim 6. Noh in view of Hsu teaches the semiconductor device of claim 1, further Hsu teaches: a portion of the source/drain contact (fig 8:78[0028]) is disposed between the source/drain region (fig 8:30[0028]) and the second interlayer insulating layer (fig 8:34[0014]). Regarding claim 7. Noh in view of Hsu teaches the semiconductor device of claim 1, further Noh teaches: the [portion] (fig 6b annotated above]): is in contact with an the upper surface of the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 6b:153[0054]). Hsu teaches: The skirt (fig 8 annotated above) Regarding claim 10. Noh in view of Hsu teaches the semiconductor device of claim 1, further Noh teaches: the source/drain contact (fig 5,6b:180[0054]) includes a first portion disposed on the source/drain region (fig 5,6b:110[0054]) and a second portion disposed on the first portion (fig 6b annotated above) and a portion of the first portion is in contact with the second interlayer insulating layer (fig 6b:155[0054]). Hsu teaches: a portion of an upper surface of the first portion is in contact with the second interlayer insulating layer (fig 8:34[0022]). PNG media_image6.png 419 485 media_image6.png Greyscale Regarding claim 11. Noh in view of Hsu teaches the semiconductor device of claim 1, further Noh teaches: a silicide layer (fig 6b:181[0050]) disposed between the source/drain region (fig 6b:110[0050]) and the source/drain contact (fig 6b:184[0050]); and an etch stop layer (fig 6b:160[0045]) disposed between the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 6b:153[0045])and the silicide layer (fig 6b:181[0050]). PNG media_image7.png 425 561 media_image7.png Greyscale Claim(s) 5 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Noh (US 2019/0393315) in view of Hsu (US 2019/0172752) as applied to claim 1 and further in view of Sherazi (US 2019/0229196) Regarding claim 5. Noh in view of Hsu the semiconductor device of claim 1, above Noh in view of Hsu does not teach a capping pattern on the gate electrode and in contact with sidewalls of the source drain contacts. Sherazi teaches: a capping pattern (fig 4,13:15; [para 0147]) disposed on the gate electrode (dig 4,13:16; [para 0147]) and that extends in the second horizontal direction, wherein the capping pattern (fig 4,13:15; [para 0147]) is in contact with a sidewall of the source/drain contact (fig 12,13:134a,b; [para 0167]). PNG media_image8.png 402 494 media_image8.png Greyscale It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide a capping layer in contact with the source drain electrode in order to provide a via landing portion and provide a margin for alignment (paragraph 14). Claim(s) 8 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Noh (US 2019/0393315) in view of Hsu (US 2019/0172752) as applied to claim 1 and further in view of Wang (US 2022/0270971). Regarding claim 8. Noh in view of Hsu the semiconductor device of claim 1, above Noh in view of Hsu does not teach an active region comprising nanosheets. Wang teaches: a plurality of nanosheets (fig 2,5:14; [para 0014]) stacked and spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction (fig 2,5:Z) on the active pattern (fig 2,5:20; [para 0011]) and surrounded by the gate electrode (fig 3,5:26; [para 0015]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide nanosheets in order to increase the surface area and thereby increase the coupling between the channel and the gate. Claim(s) 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Noh (US 2019/0393315) in view of Hsu (US 2019/0172752) as applied to claim 1 and further in view of Huang (US 2021/0351299) Regarding claim 9. Noh in view of Hsu teaches the semiconductor device of claim 1, above. Noh in view of Hsu does not teach that the first interlayer insulating layer and the second interlayer insulating layer include materials that differ from each other. Huang teaches: the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 11,12:90; [para 0051])and the second interlayer insulating layer (fig 11,12:92; [para 0051]) include materials that differ from each other (fig 11,12; [para 0051]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention for the first interlayer insulating layer and the second interlayer insulating layer include materials that differ from each other in order to optimize the dielectric separation between conductive features with the stability of the layers. Claim(s) 12, 14, 15 and 18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Noh (US 2019/0393315) in view of Hsu (US 2019/0172752) Regarding claim 12. Noh teaches: A semiconductor device (fig 5:100a[0054]), comprising: a substrate (fig 5:101[0030]); an active pattern (fig 5:105[0030]) disposed on the substrate (fig 5:101[0030]) and that extends in a first horizontal direction (fig 5:x[0029]); a field insulating layer (fig 5:107[0054]) disposed on the substrate (fig 5:101[0030]) and that surrounds a sidewall of the active pattern (fig 5:105[0030]); a gate electrode (fig 5:147,145[0038]) disposed on the field insulating layer (fig 5:107[0054]) and that extends in a second horizontal direction (fig 5:y[0029])different from the first horizontal direction (fig 5:x[0029]); a source/drain region (fig 5:110[0054]) disposed on at least one side of the gate electrode (fig 5:147,145[0038]); a first interlayer insulating layer (fig 5,6:153[0054])disposed on the field insulating layer (fig 5:107[0054]) and that surrounds a portion of a sidewall of the source/drain region (fig 5:110[0054]); a second interlayer insulating layer (fig 6b:155[0054]) disposed on the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 5,6:153[0054]) and that surrounds a sidewall of the gate electrode (fig 5:147,145[0038]); and a source/drain contact (fig 5,6b:180[0054]) that penetrates through the second interlayer insulating layer (fig 6b:155[0054]) in a vertical direction (fig 5:z[0029]) and is electrically connected to the source/drain region (fig 5:110[0054]), wherein the source/drain contact (fig 5,6b:180[0054]) includes a first portion disposed on the source/drain region (fig 5:110[0054]) and a second portion disposed on the first portion, the first portion includes first and second sidewalls that oppose each other in the second horizontal direction (fig 5:y[0029]), and the second portion includes first and second sidewalls that oppose each other in the second horizontal direction (fig 5:y[0029]), the first sidewall of the first portion is continuous with the first sidewall of the second portion, and the second sidewall of the first portion is continuous with the second sidewall of the second portion, , the source/drain contact (fig 5,6b:180[0054])further includes a a portion of a lower sidewall of the first portion, and in a cross-section of the semiconductor device (fig 5:100a[0054]): the [portion] is disposed above an upper surface of the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 5,6:153[0054]) with respect to the substrate (fig 5:101[0030]) and has a sidewall having a slope with respect to the upper surface of the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 5,6:153[0054]) (fig 5,6b:180[0054]) is disposed below a level of an upper surface of the source/drain region (fig 5:110[0054]), with respect to the substrate (fig 5:101[0030]). PNG media_image9.png 631 1118 media_image9.png Greyscale Noh does not teach the source/drain contact comprises a lower slope that is less than an upper slope Hsu teaches: a source/drain contact (fig 8:78[0028]) that penetrates through the second interlayer insulating layer (fig 8:34[0029]) in a vertical direction and is electrically connected to the source/drain region (fig 8:30[0013]), wherein the source/drain contact (fig 8:78[0028]) includes a first portion disposed on the source/drain region (fig 8:30[0013]) and a second portion disposed on the first portion (fig 8 annotated), the first portion includes first and second sidewalls that oppose each other in the second horizontal direction, and the second portion includes first and second sidewalls that oppose each other in the second horizontal direction, the first sidewall of the first portion is continuous with the first sidewall of the second portion, and the second sidewall of the first portion is continuous with the second sidewall of the second portion (fig 8), a width of a lower surface of the first portion in the second horizontal direction is greater than a width of a lower surface of the second portion in the second horizontal direction, the source/drain contact (fig 8:78[0028]) further includes a skirt that protrudes from a portion of a lower sidewall of the first portion toward the second interlayer insulating layer (fig 8:34[0015]) in the second horizontal direction, and in a cross-section of the semiconductor device: the skirt is disposed above an upper surface of the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 8:16[0013]) with respect to the substrate (fig 8:12[0012]) and has a sidewall having a slope with respect to the upper surface of the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 8:16[0013]) that is less than a slope of the portion of the lower sidewall of the first portion of the source/drain contact (fig 8:78[0028]) with respect to the upper surface of the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 8:16[0013]). PNG media_image2.png 489 777 media_image2.png Greyscale PNG media_image10.png 527 461 media_image10.png Greyscale It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the contact with a skirt in order that the area of contact and the size of the lower contact portion can provide lower resistance while the size of the contact is reduced (paragraph 3). Regarding claim 14. Noh in view of Hsu teaches the semiconductor device of claim 12, further Hsu teaches: the skirt includes: a first skirt that protrudes from the first sidewall of the first portion (fig 8); and a second skirt that protrudes from the second sidewall of the first portion (fig 8). PNG media_image11.png 486 575 media_image11.png Greyscale Regarding claim 15. Noh in view of Hsu teaches the semiconductor device of claim 12, further Noh teaches: the [portion] (fig 6b annotated above]): is in contact with an the upper surface of the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 6b:153[0054]). Hsu teaches: The skirt (fig 8 annotated above) Regarding claim 18. Noh in view of Hsu teaches the semiconductor device of claim 12, further Noh teaches: a portion of the first portion is in contact with the second interlayer insulating layer (fig 6b:155[0054]). Hsu teaches: a portion of an upper surface of the first portion is in contact with the second interlayer insulating layer (fig 8:34[0022]). PNG media_image6.png 419 485 media_image6.png Greyscale Claim(s) 16 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Noh (US 2019/0393315) in view of Hsu (US 2019/0172752) as applied to claim 12 and further in view of Sherazi (US 2019/0229196) Regarding claim 16. Noh in view of Hsu the semiconductor device of claim 12, above Noh in view of Hsu does not teach a capping pattern on the gate electrode and in contact with sidewalls of the source drain contacts. Sherazi teaches: a capping pattern (fig 4,13:15; [para 0147]) disposed on the gate electrode (dig 4,13:16; [para 0147]) and that extends in the second horizontal direction, wherein the capping pattern (fig 4,13:15; [para 0147]) is in contact with a sidewall of the source/drain contact (fig 12,13:134a,b; [para 0167]). PNG media_image8.png 402 494 media_image8.png Greyscale It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide a capping layer in contact with the source drain electrode in order to provide a via landing portion and provide a margin for alignment (paragraph 14). Claim(s) 17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Noh (US 2019/0393315) in view of Hsu (US 2019/0172752) as applied to claim 12 and further in view of Huang (US 2021/0351299) Regarding claim 17. Noh in view of Hsu teaches the semiconductor device of claim 12, above. Noh in view of Hsu does not teach that the first interlayer insulating layer and the second interlayer insulating layer include materials that differ from each other. Huang teaches: the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 11,12:90; [para 0051])and the second interlayer insulating layer (fig 11,12:92; [para 0051]) include materials that differ from each other (fig 11,12; [para 0051]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention for the first interlayer insulating layer and the second interlayer insulating layer include materials that differ from each other in order to optimize the dielectric separation between conductive features with the stability of the layers. Claim(s) 19 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Noh (US 2019/0393315) in view of Hsu (US 2019/0172752) in view of Wang (US 2022/0270971). Regarding claim 19. Noh teaches: A semiconductor device (fig 5:100a[0054]), comprising: a substrate (fig 5:101[0030]); an active pattern (fig 5:105[0030]) disposed on the substrate (fig 5:101[0030]) and that extends in a first horizontal direction (fig 5:x[0029]); a field insulating layer (fig 5:107[0054]) disposed on the substrate (fig 5:101[0030]) and that surrounds a sidewall of the active pattern (fig 5:105[0030]); a gate electrode (fig 5:147,145[0038]) disposed on the field insulating layer (fig 5:107[0054]) and that extends in a second horizontal direction (fig 5:y[0029]) different from the first horizontal direction (fig 5:x[0029]); a source/drain region (fig 5:110[0054]) disposed on at least one side of the gate electrode (fig 5,6b:180[0054]); a first interlayer insulating layer (fig 5,6:153[0054]) disposed on the field insulating layer (fig 5:107[0054]) and that surrounds a portion of a sidewall of the source/drain region (fig 5:110[0054]); a second interlayer insulating layer (fig 6b:155[0054]) disposed on the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 5,6:153[0054]) and that surrounds a sidewall of the gate electrode (fig 5,6b:180[0054]); and a source/drain contact (fig 5,6b:180[0054]) that penetrates through the second interlayer insulating layer (fig 6b:155[0054]) in a vertical direction (fig 5,6:Z[0029])and is electrically connected to the source/drain region (fig 5:110[0054]), wherein the source/drain contact (fig 5,6b:180[0054]) includes a first portion disposed on the source/drain region (fig 5:110[0054]), a second portion disposed on the first portion, the source/drain contact (fig 5,6b:180[0054]) includes a portion of a lower sidewall of the source/drain contact (fig 5,6b:180[0054]) toward the second interlayer insulating layer (fig 6b:155[0054]) in the second horizontal direction (fig 5:y[0029]), the first portion includes first and second sidewalls that oppose each other in the second horizontal direction (fig 5:y[0029]), and the second portion includes first and second sidewalls that oppose each other in the second horizontal direction (fig 5:y[0029]), the first sidewall of the first portion is continuous with the first sidewall of the second portion, and the second sidewall of the first portion is continuous with the second sidewall of the second portion (fig 5,6b), , and in a cross-section of the semiconductor device: the [portion] is disposed above an upper surface of the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 5,6:153[0054]) with respect to the substrate (fig 5:101[0030]) and has a sidewall having a slope with respect to the upper surface of the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 5,6:153[0054]) , and the portion of the lower sidewall of the source/drain contact (fig 5,6b:180[0054]) is disposed below a level of an upper surface of the source/drain region (fig 5:110[0054]). PNG media_image9.png 631 1118 media_image9.png Greyscale Noh does not teach that the source/drain contact comprises a l Hsu teaches: a source/drain contact (fig 8:78[0028]) that penetrates through the second interlayer insulating layer (fig 8:34[0014]) in a vertical direction and is electrically connected to the source/drain region (fig 8:30[0028]), wherein the source/drain contact (fig 8:78[0028]) includes a first portion disposed on the source/drain region (fig 8:30[0028]), a second portion disposed on the first portion, the source/drain contact (fig 8:78[0028]) includes a skirt that protrudes from a portion of a lower sidewall of the source/drain contact (fig 8:78[0028]) toward the second interlayer insulating layer (fig 8:34[0014]) in the second horizontal direction, the first portion includes first and second sidewalls that oppose each other in the second horizontal direction, and the second portion includes first and second sidewalls that oppose each other in the second horizontal direction, the first sidewall of the first portion is continuous with the first sidewall of the second portion, and the second sidewall of the first portion is continuous with the second sidewall of the second portion, a width of a lower surface of the first portion in the second horizontal direction is greater than a width of a lower surface of the second portion in the second horizontal direction, and in a cross-section of the semiconductor device: the skirt is disposed above an upper surface of the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 8:16[0009]) with respect to the substrate (fig 8:12[0011]) and has a sidewall having a slope with respect to the upper surface of the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 8:16[0009]) that is less than a slope of the portion of the lower sidewall of the source/drain contact (fig 8:78[0028]) with respect to the upper surface of the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 8:16[0009]). PNG media_image2.png 489 777 media_image2.png Greyscale PNG media_image10.png 527 461 media_image10.png Greyscale It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the contact with a skirt in order that the area of contact and the size of the lower contact portion can provide lower resistance while the size of the contact is reduced (paragraph 3). Noh does not teach that the active pattern comprises a plurality of nanosheets Wang teaches: a plurality of nanosheets (fig 2,5:14; [para 0014]) stacked and spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction (fig 2,5:Z) on the active pattern (fig 2,5:20; [para 0011]) and surrounded by the gate electrode (fig 3,5:26; [para 0015]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide nanosheets in the active region in order to increase the surface area and thereby increase the coupling between the channel and the gate. Claim(s) 20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Noh (US 2019/0393315) in view of Hsu (US 2019/0172752) in view of Wang (US 2022/0270971) as applied to claim 19 and further in view of Huang (US 2021/0351299) Regarding claim 20. Noh in view of Hsu in view of Wang teaches the semiconductor device of claim 19, above. Noh in view of Hsu in view of Wang does not teach that the first interlayer insulating layer and the second interlayer insulating layer include materials that differ from each other. Huang teaches: the first interlayer insulating layer (fig 11,12:90; [para 0051])and the second interlayer insulating layer (fig 11,12:92; [para 0051]) include materials that differ from each other (fig 11,12; [para 0051]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention for the first interlayer insulating layer and the second interlayer insulating layer include materials that differ from each other in order to optimize the dielectric separation between conductive features with the stability of the layers. Response to Arguments Previously applied claim objection is withdrawn due to amendment Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference combination applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. The applicant argues that the amendment overcomes the previously applied rejection over Huang (US 2021/0351299). However, over Noh (US 2019/0393315) in view of Hsu (US 2019/0172752) anticipates the amended claim (see above). Conclusion Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DAVID J GOODWIN whose telephone number is (571)272-8451. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday, 11:00 - 19:00. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Kretelia Graham can be reached at (571)272-5055. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /D.J.G/Examiner, Art Unit 2817 /Kretelia Graham/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2817
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Prosecution Timeline

Show 16 earlier events
Jan 06, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Feb 06, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Feb 16, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Apr 03, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Jun 01, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary
Jun 01, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Jun 23, 2026
Response Filed
Sep 21, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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3y 8m to grant Granted Sep 15, 2026
Patent 12733179
PROGRAMMABLE HYBRID MEMORY AND CAPACITIVE DEVICE IN A DRAM PROCESS
3y 8m to grant Granted Sep 08, 2026
Patent 12708016
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE
3y 7m to grant Granted Aug 11, 2026
Patent 12696462
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME
3y 5m to grant Granted Jul 28, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

7-8
Expected OA Rounds
67%
Grant Probability
84%
With Interview (+16.5%)
3y 2m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 821 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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