CTNF 17/958,288 CTNF 77799 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. DETAILED ACTION 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 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 AIA 1. Claim s 1 and 7-8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102( a2 ) as being anticipated by Li (US 11,158,717) . Regarding claim 1 , Li, in fig. 10, discloses a semiconductor device comprising: a first layer 40 with a first side (bottom) and a second side (top) opposite the first side (bottom); a second layer 60 with a first side (bottom) and a second side (top) opposite the first side (bottom), wherein the first side of the second layer 60 (bottom) is on the second side (top) of the first layer 40; and a plug 71 that extends from the second side (top) of the second layer 60 to the second side (top) of the first layer 40, wherein a first surface area of a cross-section of the plug 71 at a plane of the second side (top) of the second layer 60 is larger than a second surface area of a cross-section of the plug 71 at the second side (top) of the first layer 40. Regarding claim 7, Li discloses wherein the plug 71 is direct physical contact with the first layer 40 (fig. 10). Regarding claim 8, Li discloses wherein the plug 71 extends into the first layer 40 (fig. 10) . 07-15 AIA 2. Claim s 1 and 7-10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102( a2 ) as being anticipated by Lee et al. (US 2023/0253327; hereinafter Lee) . Regarding claim 1 , Lee, in fig. 2, discloses a semiconductor device comprising: a first layer ILD2 with a first side (bottom) and a second side (top) opposite the first side (bottom); a second layer ILD3 with a first side (bottom) and a second side (top) opposite the first side (bottom), wherein the first side of the second layer ILD3 (bottom) is on the second side (top) of the first layer ILD2; and a plug (BM/SV) that extends from the second side (top) of the second layer ILD3 to the second side (top) of the first layer ILD2, wherein a first surface area of a cross-section of the plug (BM/SV) at a plane of the second side (top) of the second layer ILD3is larger than a second surface area of a cross-section of the plug (BM/SV) at the second side (top) of the first layer ILD2. Regarding claim 7, Lee discloses wherein the plug (BM/SV) is direct physical contact with the first layer ILD2 (fig. 2). Regarding claim 8, Lee discloses wherein the plug (BM/SV) extends into the first layer ILD2 (fig. 2). Regarding claim 9, Lee discloses wherein the plug (BM/SV) is an electrical insulator BM (fig. 2 & 0041 ]). Regarding claim 10, Lee discloses wherein the plug (BM/SV) includes a dielectric BM (fig. 2 & 0041 ]) . Allowable Subject Matter 12-151-08 AIA 07-43 12-51-08 3. Claim s 2-6 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. 12-151-07 AIA 07-97 12-51-07 4. Claim s 11 and 13-21 are allowed. The following is an examiner's statement of reason for allowance: the prior art of record, either singularly or in combination, does not disclose or suggest at least the claim limitations of " a plug that extends from a top of the first metal and a top of the second metal to a side of the insulator, wherein the plug and the insulator electrically isolate the first metal and the second metal from each other, and wherein a first surface area of across-section of the plug at the top of the first metal and the top of the second metal is larger than a second surface area of a cross- section of the plug at the side of the insulator” ( claim 11 ) as instantly claimed and in combination with the remaining elements; or “forming a metal layer on a side of the substrate, wherein the metal layer has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and wherein the first side of the metal layer is on the side of the substrate; and forming a plug that extends from the second side of the metal layer to the side of the substrate, wherein a first surface area of a cross-section of the plug at a plane of the second side of the metal layer is larger than a second surface area of a cross-section of the plug at the side of the substrate” ( claim 17 ) as instantly claimed and in combination with the additionally claimed method steps. Response to Arguments 5 Applicant's arguments with respect to the pending claims have been considered but are moot in view of the new ground(s) of rejection. Conclusion 6. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to David Vu whose telephone number is (571) 272-1798. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. 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 attempt to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's supervisor, Steven Loke H can be reached on (571) 272-1657. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is (571) 273-8300. 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If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /DAVID VU/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2818 Application/Control Number: 17/958,288 Page 2 Art Unit: 2818 Application/Control Number: 17/958,288 Page 3 Art Unit: 2818 Application/Control Number: 17/958,288 Page 4 Art Unit: 2818 Application/Control Number: 17/958,288 Page 5 Art Unit: 2818 Application/Control Number: 17/958,288 Page 6 Art Unit: 2818
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