Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 16, 2026
Application No. 17/858,570

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR QUANTUM SAMPLING FROM A PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION

Non-Final OA §102§103
Filed
Jul 06, 2022
Priority
Jan 06, 2020 — provisional 62/957,400 +2 more
Examiner
HOANG, MICHAEL H
Art Unit
2122
Tech Center
2100 — Computer Architecture & Software
Assignee
President and Fellows of Harvard College
OA Round
2 (Non-Final)
54%
Grant Probability
Moderate
2-3
OA Rounds
3m
Est. Remaining
78%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 54% of resolved cases
54%
Career Allowance Rate
80 granted / 149 resolved
-1.3% vs TC avg
Strong +24% interview lift
Without
With
+23.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
4y 5m
Avg Prosecution
32 currently pending
Career history
172
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
28.7%
-11.3% vs TC avg
§103
45.5%
+5.5% vs TC avg
§102
10.5%
-29.5% vs TC avg
§112
12.7%
-27.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 149 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
CTFR 17/858,570 CTFR 95804 DETAILED ACTION This action is in response to the claims filed 05/13/2026 for Application number 17/858,570. Claim 18 has been amended, claims 19 and 20 has been canceled, and claims 30 and 31 are new. Thus, claims 1-18 and 21-31 are currently pending. Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status 07-03-aia AIA 15-10-aia The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 07-06 AIA 15-10-15 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. 07-07-aia AIA 07-07 The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – 07-12-aia AIA (a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. 07-15-03-aia AIA Claim s 1-2, 8-9, and 27-29 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Cao et al. ("US 20210374550 A1", hereinafter "Cao") . Regarding claim 1 , Cao teaches A method of sampling from a probability distribution, the method comprising: receiving a description of a probability distribution (“The function that defines the quantum-mechanical states of a qubit is known as its wavefunction. The wavefunction also specifies the probability distribution of outcomes for a given measurement ” [¶0061]) ; determining a first Hamiltonian having a ground state encoding the probability distribution (“The data representing a first training state in the plurality of training states is implicitly specified by data representing a Hamiltonian related to the system of interest. The computer program instructions to perform the quantum circuit training include computer program instructions executable by the processor to use the data representing the first training state to represent a ground state of the Hamiltonian in the performing of the quantum circuit training. ” [¶0011]) ; determining a second Hamiltonian, the second Hamiltonian being continuously transformable into the first Hamiltonian via a path through at least one quantum phase transition (“Quantum annealing starts with the classical computer 254 generating an initial Hamiltonian 260 and a final Hamiltonian 262 based on a computational problem 258 to be solved, and providing the initial Hamiltonian 260, the final Hamiltonian 262 and an annealing schedule 270 as input to the quantum computer 252…. At the end of the time evolution, the set of qubits on the quantum annealer is in a final state 272, which is expected to be close to the ground state of the classical Ising model that corresponds to the solution to the original optimization problem 258. ” [¶0071; note: The annealing schedule corresponds to a “path”]) ; initializing a quantum system according to a ground state of the second Hamiltonian (“The process of outputting the state preparation signal(s) to cause the qubits 104 to be in their initial state is referred to herein as “state preparation” (FIG. 2A, section 206). A special case of state preparation is “initialization,” also referred to as a “reset operation,” in which the initial state is one in which some or all of the qubits 104 are in the “zero” state i.e. the default single-qubit state.” [¶0091; “according to a ground state of the second Hamiltonian” would be inherent given) ; evolving the quantum system from the ground state of the second Hamiltonian to the ground state of the first Hamiltonian according to the path through the at least one quantum phase transition (“The classical computer 254 provides the initial Hamiltonian 260, a final Hamiltonian 262, and an annealing schedule 270 to the quantum computer 252. The quantum computer 252 starts in the initial state 266, and evolves its state according to the annealing schedule 270 (“path”) following the time-dependent Schrodinger equation, a natural quantum-mechanical evolution of physical systems (FIG. 2B, operation 268). More specifically, the state of the quantum computer 252 undergoes time evolution under a time-dependent Hamiltonian, which starts from the initial Hamiltonian 260 and terminates at the final Hamiltonian 262. ” [¶0071]) ; and performing a measurement on the quantum system, thereby obtaining a sample from the probability distribution. (“Although not shown explicitly in FIG. 1 and not required, the measurement unit 110 may provide one or more feedback signals 114 to the control unit 106 based on the measurement signals 112. For example, quantum computers referred to as “one-way quantum computers” or “measurement-based quantum computers” utilize such feedback 114 from the measurement unit 110 to the control unit 106. Such feedback 114 is also necessary for the operation of fault-tolerant quantum computing and error correction.” [¶0090; note: obtaining a sample from the probability distribution is merely an intended result thus carries little to no patentable weight]) Regarding claim 2 , Cao teaches The method of claim 1, wherein determining the first Hamiltonian comprises deriving the first Hamiltonian from a projected entangled pair state (PEPS) representation of its ground state. (“In certain embodiments of the fourth aspect, each of the plurality of quantum states is either a matrix product state or a projected entangled pair state.” [¶0030]) Regarding claim 8 , Cao teaches The method of claim 1, wherein the ground state of the second Hamiltonian is a product state. (“In certain embodiments of the third aspect, each of the plurality of quantum states is either a matrix product state or a projected entangled pair state.” [¶0023]) Regarding claim 9 , Cao teaches The method of claim 1, wherein the evolving is adiabatic. (“Quantum annealing starts with the classical computer 254 generating an initial Hamiltonian 260 and a final Hamiltonian 262 based on a computational problem 258 to be solved, and providing the initial Hamiltonian 260, the final Hamiltonian 262 and an annealing schedule 270 as input to the quantum computer 252.” [¶0071; note quantum annealing is an adiabatic quantum computation]) Regarding claim 27 , it is substantially similar to claim 1 respectively, and is rejected in the same manner, the same art, and reasoning applying. Claim 28 recites features similar to claim 1 and is rejected for at least the same reasons therein. Claim 28 additionally requires A computer program product for configuring a quantum computer to sample from a probability distribution, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a method (Cao, ¶0005) Claim 29 recites features similar to claim 1 and is rejected for at least the same reasons therein. Claim 29 additionally requires A system comprising: a quantum computer; and a computing node configured to: (Cao, ¶0005) Regarding claim 30 , Cao teaches The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one phase transition comprises at least one of: a phase transition between a paramagnetic phase and a ferromagnetic phase; a phase transition between a disordered phase and one or more ordered phases; and a phase transition between a first quantum state and a second quantum state. (“Some embodiments described herein generate, measure, or utilize quantum states that approximate a target quantum state (e.g., a ground state of a Hamiltonian). As will be appreciated by those trained in the art, there are many ways to quantify how well a first quantum state “approximates” a second quantum state.” [¶0068; note: The claim recites “at least one of” thus under BRI, the examiner is only required to map to one of the recited elements. This citation corresponds to a phase transition between a first quantum state and a second quantum state]) Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 07-06 AIA 15-10-15 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. 07-20-aia AIA 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. 07-23-aia AIA The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows: 1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art. 2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue. 3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. 4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness. 07-21-aia AIA Claim s 3-7, 15-17, and 21-24 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cao in view of Crosson ("Classical and Quantum Computation in Ground States and Beyond", hereinafter "Crosson") . Regarding claim 3 , Cao teaches The method of claim 1, however fails to explicitly teach wherein the description of the probability distribution comprises a description of a Markov chain whose stationary distribution is the probability distribution. Crosson teaches teaches wherein the description of the probability distribution comprises a description of a Markov chain whose stationary distribution is the probability distribution (“To do this we will review some definitions and techniques from the mathematical theory of Markov Chains in section Section 5.3.4. The time it takes for a Markov chain to converge to its stationary distribution is governed by the spectral gap of the transition matrix (which encodes the transition probabilities of the random walk).” [pg. 15, bottom para]) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify Cao’s teachings by using the Markov chain techniques disclosed by Crosson. One would have been motivated to make this modification because efficient simulation algorithms are valuable for the perspective they yield on the complexity of these systems. [pg. 16, Crosson] Regarding claim 4 , Cao/Crosson teaches The method of claim 3, Crosson further teaches wherein the Markov chain satisfies detailed balance. (“The transition probabilities are chosen to be reversible with respect to π (i.e. they satisfy detailed balance), and this together with a few additional assumptions ensures that the random walk will eventually converge to π” [pg. 85, ¶3]) Same motivation to combine the teachings of Cao/Crosson as claim 3. Regarding claim 5 , Cao/Crosson teaches The method of claim 4, where Crosson teaches wherein determining the first Hamiltonian comprises constructing the first Hamiltonian from the Markov chain. (“This opens up the possibility of treating the ground state wave function as an (unnormalized) classical probability distribution, and the idea behind the quantum Monte Carlo method we will consider is to treat the off-diagonal matrix entries of a stoquastic Hamiltonian as transition probabilities of a random walk that converges to the thermal state.” [pg. 15, ¶2]) Same motivation to combine the teachings of Cao/Crosson as claim 3. Regarding claim 6 , Cao/Crosson teaches The method of claim 3, wherein the description of the Markov chain comprises a generator matrix. (“This opens up the possibility of treating the ground state wave function as an (unnormalized) classical probability distribution, and the idea behind the quantum Monte Carlo method we will consider is to treat the off-diagonal matrix (“generator matrix”) entries of a stoquastic Hamiltonian as transition probabilities of a random walk that converges to the thermal state.” [pg. 15, ¶2]) Same motivation to combine the teachings of Cao/Crosson as claim 3. Regarding claim 7 , Cao/Crosson teaches The method of claim 3, wherein the Markov chain comprises a single-site update. (“…the factor of 2nL comes from the chain being lazy and the choice of random single-site updates (which means there is a 1/nL chance of proposing each particular transition)” [pg. 94, bottom para]) Same motivation to combine the teachings of Cao/Crosson as claim 3. Regarding claim 15 , Cao/Crosson teaches The method of claim 1, Crosson teaches wherein the probability distribution comprises a classical Gibbs distribution. (“To sample from the Gibbs distribution π for the effective classical system (5.11) we will use a Markov chain which chooses a site in the classical lattice Λ uniformly at random and proposes to flip the bit at that site to make a transition z → zwith an acceptance probability P(z,z) given by the metropolis rule.” [pg. 90, §5.4.5, ¶1]) Same motivation to combine the teachings of Cao/Crosson as claim 3. Regarding claim 16 , Cao/Crosson teaches The method of claim 15, Crosson teaches wherein the path is distinct from a path along a set of first Hamiltonians associated with the Gibbs distribution at different temperatures. (“Simulated annealing attempts to minimize a cost function by treating it as the energy of a physical system, and by performing a random walk to sample the Gibbs distribution of this energy function at various temperature” [pg. 12, ¶2]) Same motivation to combine the teachings of Cao/Crosson as claim 3. Regarding claim 17 , Cao/Crosson teaches The method of claim 16, Crosson teaches wherein the Gibbs distribution is a Gibbs distribution of weighted independent sets of a graph (“The matrix P is called a transition matrix, and since the state space of the random walk is a connected graph and the Metropolis rule satisfies the property of detailed balance, the transition matrix P with transitions satisfying (5.19) will have the Gibbs distribution π as an eigenvector corresponding to an eigenvalue with magnitude 1” [pg. 90, bottom para]) . Same motivation to combine the teachings of Cao/Crosson as claim 3. Regarding claim 21 , Cao/Crosson teaches The method of claim 16, Crosson teaches wherein the Gibbs distribution is a Gibbs distribution of an Ising model. (“The most famous spin system is the ferromagnetic Ising model” [pg. 2, 1.1.1., ¶1]) Same motivation to combine the teachings of Cao/Crosson as claim 3. Regarding claim 22 , Cao/Crosson teaches The method of claim 21, Crosson teaches wherein the Gibbs distribution is a zero-temperature Gibbs distribution (“First consider the model at zero temperature. At T = 0, following our discussion of the fan-out in Section 2.4, it is easy to see that the ground state of this model can be thought of as a series of fan-out gates originating from the root vertex vr with possible bit flips applied to the fan-out depending on the sign of J(v,w).” [pg. 44, ¶3]) and the Ising model is a ferromagnetic ID Ising model. (“The most famous spin system is the ferromagnetic Ising model” [pg. 2, 1.1.1., ¶1]) Same motivation to combine the teachings of Cao/Crosson as claim 3. Regarding claim 23 , Cao/Crosson teaches The method of claim 16, Crosson teaches wherein the Gibbs distribution is a Gibbs distribution of a classical Hamiltonian encoding an unstructured search problem. (“In thermal equilibrium a quantum system with Hamiltonian H will be in the Gibbs state,.. As in the classical case, the solution of a physical model typically involves going from a Hamiltonian as in (1.6) to an explicit form of the ground state or thermal state that allows one to determine observables of interest” [pg. 5, ¶2])) Same motivation to combine the teachings of Cao/Crosson as claim 3. Regarding claim 24 , Cao/Crosson teaches The method of claim 23, Cao teaches teaches and the unstructured search problem has a single solution. (“The classical computer 254 performs postprocessing on the measurement results 276 to produce output 280 representing a solution to the original computational problem 258 (FIG. 2B, operation 278).” [¶0072]) Crosson teaches wherein the Gibbs distribution is a zero-temperature Gibbs distribution (“First consider the model at zero temperature. At T = 0, following our discussion of the fan-out in Section 2.4, it is easy to see that the ground state of this model can be thought of as a series of fan-out gates originating from the root vertex vr with possible bit flips applied to the fan-out depending on the sign of J(v,w).” [pg. 44, ¶3]) Same motivation to combine the teachings of Cao/Crosson as claim 3 . 07-21-aia AIA Claim s 10-14 and 25 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cao in view of Keesling et al. ("US 20200185120 A1", hereinafter "Keesling") . Regarding claim 10 , Cao teaches The method of claim 1, however fails to explicitly teach wherein the quantum system comprises a plurality of confined neutral atoms. Keesling teaches wherein the quantum system comprises a plurality of confined neutral atoms. (“trapping at least two atoms in at least two of said plurality of confinement regions” [¶0005; See further [¶0079] discloses “neutral atoms”) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify Cao’s teachings by using neutral atoms in a quantum system as taught by Keesling. One would have been motivated to make this modification as neutral atoms serve as building blocks for large-scale quantum systems. [¶0079, Keesling] Regarding claim 11 , Cao/Keesling teaches The method of claim 10, where Keesling teaches wherein each of the plurality of confined neutral atoms is configured to blockade at least one other of the plurality of confined neutral atoms when excited into a Rydberg state. (“Furthermore, the Rydberg states of multiple atoms strongly interact with each other, enabling engineered, coherent interactions. These strong, coherent interactions between Rydberg atoms can provide an effective constraint that prevents simultaneous excitation of nearby atoms into Rydberg states. FIG. 1F shows such an effect, which is also sometimes called Rydberg blockade.” [¶0110]) Same motivation to combine the teachings of Cao/Keesling as claim 10. Regarding claim 12 , Cao/Keesling teaches The method of claim 10, where Keesling teaches wherein initializing the quantum system comprises exciting each of a subset of the plurality of confined neutral atoms according to the ground state of the second Hamiltonian. (“According to some embodiments, arranged 1D arrays of atoms may be excited and evolved to produce solutions to quantum computing problems and may be used as a quantum simulator. Described below are techniques for exciting and controlling a 1D array of atoms, as well as characterization of the interaction between the atoms. In the case of homogeneous coherent coupling, the Hamiltonian Equation (1) closely resembles the paradigmatic Ising model for effective spin-½ particles with variable interaction range. Its ground state exhibits a rich variety of many-body phases that break distinct spatial symmetries, as shown in FIG. 2A.” [¶0117]) Same motivation to combine the teachings of Cao/Keesling as claim 10. Regarding claim 13 , Cao/Keesling teaches The method of claim 10, Keesling teaches wherein evolving comprises directing a time-varying beam of coherent electromagnetic radiation to each of the plurality of confined neutral atoms. (“The tweezer laser source 106 supplies light to the crystal 102, which is then deflected into n separate tweezer beams that form a tweezer array 107, each associated with one of the one or more tone frequencies. The frequency of each individual tone frequency determines the deflection of the respective tweezer beam. The tweezer beams may be used to trap atoms 190. The individual tone frequencies may be adjusted in frequency in order to adjust the spacing of the atoms 190. Atoms 190 may then be manipulated by manipulation laser sources 108A and 108B in order to evolve the system.” [¶0086]) Same motivation to combine the teachings of Cao/Keesling as claim 10. Regarding claim 14 , Cao/Keesling teaches The method of claim 10, Keesling teaches wherein the plurality of confined neutral atoms is confined by optical tweezers. (“As shown in FIG. 1A, individual .sup.87Rb atoms are trapped using optical tweezers and arranged into defect-free arrays.” [¶0111]) Same motivation to combine the teachings of Cao/Keesling as claim 10. Regarding claim 25 , Cao/Keesling teaches The method of claim 10, Keesling teaches wherein performing the measurement comprises imaging the plurality of confined neutral atoms. (“The final states of individual atoms are detected in step 118 by turning the traps back on, and imaging the recaptured ground state atoms via atomic fluorescence using, for example, a camera, while the anti-trapped Rydberg atoms are ejected.” [¶0089]) Same motivation to combine the teachings of Cao/Keesling as claim 10 . 07-21-aia AIA Claim 18 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cao in view of Crosson and further in view of Liu et al. ("The Ising Partition Function: Zeros and Deterministic Approximation", hereinafter "Liu") . Regarding claim 18 , Cao/Crosson teaches The method of claim 17, however fails to explicitly teach wherein the graph is at least one of a unit disk graph, a chain graph, or a star graph with two vertices per branch. Liu teaches wherein the graph is a unit disk graph, a chain graph, or a star graph with two vertices per branch (“Similarly, Theorem 1.4, the FPTAS for two-spin sys tems on hypergraphs, follows by combining Theorem 3.1 with Lemma 2.1 and the Suzuki-Fisher theorem [50] (also stated as Theorem 4.3 in the next section). Again, the Suzuki Fisher theorem ensures that there are no zeros inside the unit disk, under the condition on the hyperedge activities stated in Theorem 1.4.” [pg. 994, 3.5, ¶2; note: The claim recites “at least one of a…” thus under BRI the examiner is only required to map to one of the recited elements.]) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify Cao’s/Crosson’s teachings in order to use a unit disk graph. One would have been motivated to make this modification in order to approximate the partition function of the ferromagnetic Ising model in graphs and hypergraphs. [Abstract, Liu] 07-21-aia AIA Claim 26 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cao in view of Keesling and further in view of Hollerith et al. ("Quantum gas microscopy of Rydberg macrodimers", hereinafter "Hollerith") . Regarding claim 26 , Cao/Keesling teaches The method of claim 25, however fails to explicitly teach teaches wherein imaging the plurality of confined neutral atoms comprises quantum gas microscopy. Hollerith teaches wherein imaging the plurality of confined neutral atoms comprises quantum gas microscopy. (“Our results allow for rigorous testing of Rydberg interaction potentials and highlight the potential of quantum gas microscopy for molecular physics” [Abstract]) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify Cao’s/Keesling’s teachings in order to use quantum gas microscopy for imaging neutral atoms as taught by Hollerith. One would have been motivated to make this modification in order to understand and study Rydberg interaction potentials and highlight the potential of quantum gas microscopy for molecular physics. [Abstract, Hollerith] 07-21-aia AIA Claim 31 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cao in view of Nie et al. ("Scaling of geometric phase versus band structure in cluster-Ising models", hereinafter "Nie") . Regarding claim 31 , Cao teaches The method of claim 30, however fails to explicitly teach wherein the phase transition between the paramagnetic phase and the ferromagnetic phase further comprises a phase transition to a cluster-state-like phase. Nie teaches wherein the phase transition between the paramagnetic phase and the ferromagnetic phase further comprises a phase transition to a cluster-state-like phase. (“Phase diagrams of cluster-Ising models. (a)-(f) are phase diagrams of the system for l from to 6. We choose λ=1. The horizontal and vertical axes are represented by g and a, respectively. The abbreviations mean different phases: paramagnetic(P), ferromagnetic(F), anti ferromagnetic(AF), cluster(C); the superscripts X, Y specify the directions of the orders. Cl represent the cluster phase (l=2) or generalized cluster phases(l>2). [pg. 2, Fig. 1 caption]) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify Cao’s teachings by implementing a cluster-state-like phase transition as taught by Nie. One would have been motivated to make this modification in order to quantify the scaling behavior of the geometric phase in relation with the topology and low energy properties of the band structure of the system. [Nie, Abstract] Response to Arguments 07-37 AIA Applicant's arguments filed 05/13/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Regarding the 35 U.S.C. §102 Rejection: Applicant appears to assert that the prior art of Cao fails to explicitly teach an evolution path through at least one quantum phase transition. Examiner respectfully disagrees. Applicant merely cites ¶0071 and asserts that a PHOSITA would not read and understand it to disclose the claimed quantum phase transition however fails to explicitly provide any further details of why that particular passage fails to teach the claimed quantum phase transition. The phrase “through at least one quantum phase transition” under BRI is merely a transition from one quantum state to another quantum state. This concept is explicitly taught by Cao in ¶0068-¶0071 (“Some embodiments described herein generate, measure, or utilize quantum states that approximate a target quantum state (e.g., a ground state of a Hamiltonian). As will be appreciated by those trained in the art, there are many ways to quantify how well a first quantum state “approximates” a second quantum state … The quantum computer 252 starts in the initial state 266, and evolves its state according to the annealing schedule 270 following the time-dependent Schrodinger equation, a natural quantum-mechanical evolution of physical systems (FIG. 2B, operation 268). More specifically, the state of the quantum computer 252 undergoes time evolution under a time-dependent Hamiltonian, which starts from the initial Hamiltonian 260 and terminates at the final Hamiltonian 262..”) Therefore, the examiner asserts Cao, under BRI, does teach the claimed “through the at least one quantum phase transition” of claim 1. Applicant’s arguments are not persuasive. Applicant’s arguments with respect to the rejections of the dependent claims have been fully considered but they are not persuasive as they rely upon the allowability of the independent claims Conclusion 07-39 AIA THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 MICHAEL H HOANG whose telephone number is (571)272-8491. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4:30PM. 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, Kakali Chaki can be reached at (571) 272-3719. 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. /MICHAEL H HOANG/PRIMARY EXAMINER, Art Unit 2122 Application/Control Number: 17/858,570 Page 2 Art Unit: 2122 Application/Control Number: 17/858,570 Page 3 Art Unit: 2122 Application/Control Number: 17/858,570 Page 4 Art Unit: 2122 Application/Control Number: 17/858,570 Page 5 Art Unit: 2122 Application/Control Number: 17/858,570 Page 6 Art Unit: 2122 Application/Control Number: 17/858,570 Page 7 Art Unit: 2122 Application/Control Number: 17/858,570 Page 8 Art Unit: 2122 Application/Control Number: 17/858,570 Page 9 Art Unit: 2122 Application/Control Number: 17/858,570 Page 10 Art Unit: 2122 Application/Control Number: 17/858,570 Page 11 Art Unit: 2122 Application/Control Number: 17/858,570 Page 12 Art Unit: 2122 Application/Control Number: 17/858,570 Page 13 Art Unit: 2122 Application/Control Number: 17/858,570 Page 14 Art Unit: 2122 Application/Control Number: 17/858,570 Page 15 Art Unit: 2122 Application/Control Number: 17/858,570 Page 16 Art Unit: 2122 Application/Control Number: 17/858,570 Page 17 Art Unit: 2122 Application/Control Number: 17/858,570 Page 18 Art Unit: 2122 Application/Control Number: 17/858,570 Page 19 Art Unit: 2122 Application/Control Number: 17/858,570 Page 20 Art Unit: 2122 Application/Control Number: 17/858,570 Page 21 Art Unit: 2122
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Prosecution Timeline

Jul 06, 2022
Application Filed
Feb 13, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103
May 13, 2026
Response Filed
Jun 05, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103
Aug 05, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action

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Prosecution Projections

2-3
Expected OA Rounds
54%
Grant Probability
78%
With Interview (+23.9%)
4y 5m (~3m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 149 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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