DETAILED ACTION
Claims 1 through 20 originally filed 14 April 2022. By election received 14 April 2022; Invention A is elected for examination and claims 19 and 20 are withdrawn from consideration. By amendment received 19 December 2025; claims 1, 4 through 6, and 12 are amended, claims 19 and 20 are cancelled, and claim 21 is added. Claims 1 through 18 and 21 are addressed by this 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 .
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments have been fully considered; they are addressed below.
Applicant argues that the amendments to the specification overcome the previous drawing objections. This argument is persuasive and the corresponding objections are withdrawn.
Applicant argues that the amendments to the claims overcomes the previous prior art rejections. This argument is persuasive and all previous rejections are withdrawn. However, upon further search and consideration, new art has been located which, in combination with the previously cited art, renders obvious the limitations of the amended claims. As such, new rejections have been formulated as set forth below.
As such, all claims are addressed as follows:
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
Claims 1 through 6, 12 through 14, 16 through 18, and 21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Uchida (JP Pub. H10-261837 A), in view of Odani et al. (Odani, JP Pub. S63-164382 A), in view of Liang (US Pub. 2015/0380900), and further in view of Kwon et al. (Kwon, US Pub. 2012/0163821).
Regarding claim 1, Uchida discloses, "A first ring resonator" (p. [0009] and Fig. 1, pt. 105). "A first semiconductor stack comprising a first n-side semiconductor layer" (p. [0010] and Fig. 2B, pt. 201). "A first p-side semiconductor layer" (p. [0012] and Fig. 2B, pt. 203). "A first active layer located between the first n-side semiconductor layer and the first p-side semiconductor layer" (p. [0012] and Fig. 2B, pts. 201, 202b, and 203). "A second ring resonator" (p. [0009] and Fig. 1, pt. 105). "The second ring resonator comprising a second semiconductor stack comprising a second n-side semiconductor layer" (p. [0010] and Fig. 2B, pt. 201). "A second p-side semiconductor layer" (p. [0010] and Fig. 2B, pt. 203). "A second active layer located between the second n-side semiconductor layer and the second p-side semiconductor layer" (p. [0010] and Fig. 2B, pts. 201, 202a, and 203). "Wherein a peak wavelength of light emitted by the second ring resonator is the same as a peak wavelength of light emitted by the first ring resonator" (p. [0019] ). Uchida does not explicitly disclose, "Wherein the first ring resonator comprises a diffraction grating." Odani discloses, "Wherein the first ring resonator comprises a diffraction grating" (p. [0001] and Figs. 1A, 1B, and 2, pts. 9, 11, and 17). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Uchida with the teachings of Odani. In view of the teachings of Uchida regarding a laser based on coupled ring resonators, the additional inclusion of a grating along at least one ring as taught by Odani would enhance the teachings of Uchida by providing an additional mechanism for frequency selection so as to ensure operation in the desired mode.
The combination of Uchida and Odani does not explicitly disclose, "[The second ring resonator] optically coupled to the first ring resonator by evanescent field coupling." Liang discloses, "[The second ring resonator] optically coupled to the first ring resonator by evanescent field coupling" (p. [0013], [0020], and Fig. 2B, pts. 202 and 220). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of the combination of Uchida and Odani with the teachings of Liang. In view of the teachings of Uchida regarding a laser based on coupled ring resonators, the alternate arrangement of the waveguides to be coupled by evanescent coupling as taught by Liang would enhance the teachings of Uchida and Odani by allowing the waveguides to be coupled without needing to modify the shapes thereof to create a coupling region.
The combination of Uchida, Odani, and Liang does not explicitly disclose, "[The diffraction grating] is disposed at least on an inner lateral surface of the first ring resonator." Kwon discloses, "[The diffraction grating] is disposed at least on an inner lateral surface of the first ring resonator" (p. [0047] and Fig. 4, pts. 133a, 133b, and 134, where providing gratings along both sides of the waveguide in this manner in the ring resonator of Uchida results in the gratings being present on both the inner and outer lateral surfaces of the ring resonator). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of the combination of Uchida, Odani, and Liang with the teachings of Kwon. In view of the teachings of Uchida regarding a laser based on coupled ring resonators and the teachings of Odani regarding the inclusion of a grating along at least one ring, the additional inclusion of gratings along both sides of the waveguide as taught by Kwon would enhance the teachings of Uchida, Odani, and Liang by providing an additional coupling between the grating and the optical mode.
Regarding claim 2, Uchida discloses, "Wherein the first active layer and the second active layer are formed of the same material" (p. [0024]).
Regarding claim 3, Uchida discloses, "Wherein an upper surface of the first active layer and an upper surface of the second active layer are coplanar" (p. [0024]).
Regarding claim 4, Uchida does not explicitly disclose, "Wherein the diffraction grating is also disposed on an outer lateral surface of the first ring resonator." Odani discloses, "Wherein the diffraction grating is also disposed on an outer lateral surface of the first ring resonator" (p. [0001] and Fig. 1A, 1B, and 2, pts. 9, 11, and 17). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Uchida with the teachings of Odani for the reasons provided above regarding claim 1.
Regarding claim 5, The combination of Uchida, Odani, and Liang does not explicitly disclose, "Wherein the diffraction grating is also disposed on an upper surface of the first ring resonator." Kwon discloses, "Wherein the diffraction grating is also disposed on an upper surface of the first ring resonator" (p. [0049] and Fig. 5, pts. 133a, 133b, 134, and 134a). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of the combination of Uchida, Odani, and Liang with the teachings of Kwon for the reasons provided above regarding claim 1.
Regarding claim 6, Uchida does not explicitly disclose, "Wherein the diffraction grating is also embedded in the first ring resonator." Odani discloses, "Wherein the diffraction grating is also embedded in the first ring resonator" (p. [0001] and Fig. 1B, pt. 9). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Uchida with the teachings of Odani for the reasons provided above regarding claim 1.
Regarding claim 12, The combination of Uchida, Odani, and Liang does not explicitly disclose, "Wherein the diffraction grating is located on an entire inner lateral surface of the first ring resonator." Kwon discloses, "Wherein the diffraction grating is located on an entire inner lateral surface of the first ring resonator" (p. [0047] and Fig. 4, pts. 133a, 133b, and 134, where these gratings along both sides of the waveguide may extend along the entire waveguide as in Odani). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of the combination of Uchida, Odani, and Liang with the teachings of Kwon for the reasons provided above regarding claim 1.
Regarding claim 13, Uchida discloses, "Wherein the first ring resonator is circular and has a radius in a range of 3 pm to 5000 pm" (p. [0028]).
Regarding claim 14, Uchida discloses, "Wherein each of the first semiconductor stack and the second semiconductor stack is made of a group III-V semiconductor material or a group II-VI semiconductor material" (p. [0010], [0012] and Fig. 2B, pts. 202a and 202b).
Regarding claim 16, Uchida discloses, "An output waveguide" (p. [0009] and Fig. 1, pt. 106). "Wherein the output waveguide and the second ring resonator are optically coupled" (p. [0009] and Fig. 1, pts. 104 and 106).
Regarding claim 17, Uchida discloses, "Wherein an upper surface of a third active layer of the output waveguide is coplanar with an upper surface of the second active layer" (p. [0010] and Figs. 1 and 2B, pts. 104, 106, and 202a, where both waveguides 104 and 106 include active layer 202a).
Regarding claim 18, Uchida discloses, "Wherein the third active layer and the second active layer are formed of the same material" (p. [0010] and Figs. 1 and 2B, pts. 104, 106, and 202a, where both waveguides 104 and 106 include active layer 202a).
Regarding claim 21, Uchida does not explicitly disclose, "Wherein the diffraction grating is located on an entire outer lateral surface of the first ring resonator." Odani discloses, "Wherein the diffraction grating is located on an entire outer lateral surface of the first ring resonator" (p. [0001] and Fig. 1A, 1B, and 2, pts. 9, 11, and 17). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Uchida with the teachings of Odani for the reasons provided above regarding claim 1.
Claims 7 through 11 and 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Uchida, in view of Odani, in view of Liang, in view of Kwon, and further in view of Zhang (US Pub. 2016/0131926).
Regarding claim 7, The combination of Uchida, Odani, Liang, and Kwon does not explicitly disclose, "Wherein the first ring resonator includes one or more linear portions and one or more curved portions." "A distance between the first ring resonator and the second ring resonator is at a minimum at one of the one or more linear portions." Zhang discloses, "Wherein the first ring resonator includes one or more linear portions and one or more curved portions" (p. [0035] and Fig. 2B, where each ring of Uchida is configured to take this shape). "A distance between the first ring resonator and the second ring resonator is at a minimum at one of the one or more linear portions" (Fig. 2B, where coupling between waveguides is suggested to occur at straight sections). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of the combination of Uchida, Odani, Liang, and Kwon with the teachings of Zhang. In view of the teachings of Uchida regarding a laser based on coupled ring resonators, the alternate shaping of the ring to employ a rectangular shape as taught by Zhang would enhance the teachings of Uchida, Odani, Liang, and Kwon by providing a relatively longer region in which the waveguides may be coupled to one another while also indicating alternate ring shapes for filling a surface.
Regarding claim 8, The combination of Uchida, Odani, Liang, Kwon, and Zhang does not explicitly disclose, "Wherein the distance is in a range of 10 nm to 400 nm." It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to adjust the distance between the rings so as to ensure a desired degree of coupling occurs between the rings, since it has been held that where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, discovering the optimum or workable ranges involves only routine skill in the art. In re Aller, 105 USPQ 233.
Regarding claim 9, The combination of Uchida, Odani, Liang, Kwon, and Zhang does not explicitly disclose, "Wherein the diffraction grating is located on only one of (i) the one or more linear portions or (ii) the one or more curved portions." The examiner takes Official Notice of the fact that it was known in the art to 1) fabricate a ring resonator that includes a DFB with the DFB region only appearing in one portion of the ring resonator and 2) fabricate grating elements for a DFB along a straight waveguide. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to fabricate grating elements for the DFB only in the straight waveguide regions, since this alternate construction would allow a reduction in complexity of grating formation.
Regarding claim 10, The combination of Uchida, Odani, Liang, and Kwon does not explicitly disclose, "Wherein the first ring resonator includes exactly four linear portions and exactly four curved portions." "The diffraction grating is located on all of the four linear portions." Zhang discloses, "Wherein the first ring resonator includes exactly four linear portions and exactly four curved portions" (p. [0035] and Fig. 2B). "The diffraction grating is located on all of the four linear portions" (p. [0035] and Fig. 2B, where including the grating of Odani throughout a rectangular ring such as Zhang results in the grating appearing in these locations). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of the combination of Uchida, Odani, Liang, and Kwon with the teachings of Zhang for the reasons provided above regarding claim 7.
Regarding claim 11, The combination of Uchida, Odani, Liang, and Kwon does not explicitly disclose, "Wherein the first ring resonator includes exactly four linear portions and exactly four curved portions." "The diffraction grating is located on all of the four curved portions." Zhang discloses, "Wherein the first ring resonator includes exactly four linear portions and exactly four curved portions" (p. [0035] and Fig. 2B). "The diffraction grating is located on all of the four curved portions" (p. [0035] and Fig. 2B, where including the grating of Odani throughout a rectangular ring such as Zhang results in the grating appearing in these locations). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of the combination of Uchida, Odani, Liang, and Kwon with the teachings of Zhang for the reasons provided above regarding claim 7.
Regarding claim 15, The combination of Uchida, Odani, Liang, Kwon, and Zhang does not explicitly disclose, "Wherein the first ring resonator and the second ring resonator comprise a semiconductor stack made of a nitride semiconductor material." The examiner takes Official Notice of the fact that it was known in the art to employ nitride in a III-V laser material so as to cause the laser to emit wavelengths uniquely available to nitride laser devices. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to employ a nitride based material for the laser so as to allow the laser to emit wavelengths available only to nitride based laser devices, since it has been held to be within the general skill of a worker in the art to select a known material on the basis of its suitability for the intended use as a matter of obvious design choice. In re Leshin, 125 USPQ 416.
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.
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/SEAN P HAGAN/Examiner, Art Unit 2828