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 .
Acknowledgment
The amendment filed on 03/27/2026 has been entered. The present Office action is made with all the suggested amendments being fully considered. Accordingly, pending in this application are claims 1-19.
Response to Amendment
Applicant’s amendments to Claim 13 have overcome all claim rejections under 35 U.S.C. § 112 previously set forth in the Non-Final Office action mailed on 12/29/2025. Accordingly, all previous claim rejections under 35 U.S.C. § 112 have been withdrawn.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 03/27/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant argues Chan does not teach “a back of at least one of the first bridge pier and the second bridge pier is configured such that residue of a photoresist and/or a sacrifice layer in a removal process of the photoresist and/or the sacrifice layer used in manufacture of the airbridge is difficult to remain around a back surface thereof”, as added in claims 1 and 7.
Examiner respectfully disagrees with this assertion. Chan discloses “Finally, all remaining photoresist is removed. This last step removes not only the protective photoresist 521 on top of the strip but also the portion 505 of the first photoresist that still remained below the middle portion, leaving the structure shown in the last step of FIG. 5”; ¶65. Therefore, Chan discloses a back of at least one of the first bridge pier and the second bridge pier is configured such that residue of a photoresist and/or a sacrifice layer in a removal process of the photoresist and/or the sacrifice layer used in manufacture of the airbridge is difficult to remain around a back surface thereof.
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 2 and 8 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 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 –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1, 3-5, 7, 9-11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Chan et al. (US 20210265261 A1; hereinafter “Chan”).
In re claim 1, Chan discloses an airbridge (figs. 3-4) comprising:
first and second bridge abutments 301, 302 contacted with first and second conductors 104, 105 (¶42-43), respectively,
the first and second conductors 104, 105 opposing each other via a gap (“first superconductive area 104 and a second superconductive area 105, which are separated from each other by a discontinuity”; hereinafter “G”. ¶37),
wherein a third conductor 111 is provided extending in the gap (¶34),
the first to third conductors 104, 105, 111 each provided on a substrate (¶17; hereinafter “Subx);
first and second bridge piers (e.g., intermediate portions between the planar end portions 301, 302 and the top portion of the middle portion 303. Hereinafter “Br_P1” and “Br_P2”) rising from the first and second bridge abutments 301, 302, respectively; and
a bridge girder part (e.g., top portion of the middle portion 303; hereinafter “Br_G”) having both ends supported by the first and second bridge piers (Br_P1, Br_P2) in air, the bridge girder part Br_G striding over the third conductor 111,
wherein a first intersection edge 304 (¶45), at which the first bridge abutment 301 intersects with a base of the first bridge pier Br_P1, is of a convex shape protruded against a first virtual straight line connecting end points of the first intersection edge at which the first intersection edge intersects with both sides of the first bridge abutment 301 (see fig. 4(c) annotated below), and
a second intersection edge 305 (¶45), at which the second bridge abutment 302 intersects with a base of the second bridge pier Br_P2, is of a convex shape protruded against a second virtual straight line connecting end points of the second intersection edge at which the second intersection edge intersects with both sides of the second bridge abutment 302 (see fig. 4(c) annotated below),
a back of at least one of the first bridge pier and the second bridge pier is configured such that residue of a photoresist and/or a sacrifice layer in a removal process of the photoresist and/or the sacrifice layer used in manufacture of the airbridge is difficult to remain around a back surface thereof (Chan discloses “Finally, all remaining photoresist is removed. This last step removes not only the protective photoresist 521 on top of the strip but also the portion 505 of the first photoresist that still remained below the middle portion, leaving the structure shown in the last step of FIG. 5”; ¶65. Therefore, Chan discloses a back of at least one of the first bridge pier and the second bridge pier is configured such that residue of a photoresist and/or a sacrifice layer in a removal process of the photoresist and/or the sacrifice layer used in manufacture of the airbridge is difficult to remain around a back surface thereof).
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In re claim 3, Chan discloses in figs. 3-4, the airbridge according to claim 1, wherein the first intersection edge 304 takes a shape of a convex curve protruded against the first virtual straight line toward a side of the first bridge abutment 301 opposing the first virtual straight line, and the second intersection edge 305 takes a shape of a convex curve protruded against the second virtual straight line toward a side of the second bridge abutment 302 opposing the second virtual straight line (see fig. 4(g)).
In re claim 4, Chan discloses in figs. 3-4, the airbridge according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second bridge piers has a configuration in which a convex degree of the convex shape corresponding to each of the first and second intersection edges at the bases of the first and second bridge piers is gradually mitigated toward a top of each of the first and second bridge piers (see fig. 4(c) annotated above).
In re claim 5, Chan discloses in figs. 3-4, the airbridge according to claim 1, wherein the bridge girder part Br_G located at the tops of the first and second bridge piers Br_P1, Br_P2, has a transverse cross section with flat top and bottom edges.
In re claim 7, Chan discloses a superconducting circuit apparatus (figs. 1-4) (FIG. 3 illustrates an airbridge 113 for making connections on a superconducting chip; ¶42) comprising:
first and second conductors 104, 105 arranged opposing each other (¶37);
a third conductor 111 extended in a gap between the first and second conductors 104, 105 (“first superconductive area 104 and a second superconductive area 105, which are separated from each other by a discontinuity”; hereinafter “G”. ¶34-37),
the first, second and third conductors 111, 104, 105 each made of a superconducting material (¶33-37); and
an airbridge 113 striding over the third conductor 111 to bridge first and second conductors 104, 105 (¶36, 42),
wherein the airbridge includes: first and second bridge abutments 310, 302 contacted with first and second conductors 104, 104, respectively (¶42-43),
the first and second conductors 104, 105 opposing each other via a gap (G),
wherein a third conductor 111 is provided extending in the gap (G), the first to third conductors 104, 105, 111 each provided on a substrate (¶17; hereinafter “Subx);
first and second bridge piers (e.g., intermediate portions between the planar end portions 301, 302 and the top portion of the airbridge 113. Hereinafter “Br_P1” and “Br_P2”) rising from the first and second bridge abutments 301, 302, respectively; and
a bridge girder part (e.g., top portion of the airbridge 113; hereinafter “Br_G”) having both ends supported by the first and second bridge piers (Br_P1, Br_P2) in air, the bridge girder part (Br_G) striding over the third conductor 111,
wherein a first intersection edge, at which the first bridge abutment intersects with a base of the first bridge pier, is of a convex shape protruded against a first virtual straight line connecting end points of the first intersection edge at which the first intersection edge intersects with both sides of the first bridge abutment, and
a second intersection edge, at which the second bridge abutment intersects with a base of the second bridge pier, is of a convex shape protruded against a second virtual straight line connecting end points of the second intersection edge at which the second intersection edge intersects with both sides of the second bridge abutment.
wherein a first intersection edge 304 (¶45), at which the first bridge abutment 301 intersects with a base of the first bridge pier Br_P1, is of a convex shape protruded against a first virtual straight line connecting end points of the first intersection edge at which the first intersection edge intersects with both sides of the first bridge abutment 301 (see fig. 4(c) annotated below), and
a second intersection edge 305 (¶45), at which the second bridge abutment 302 intersects with a base of the second bridge pier Br_P2, is of a convex shape protruded against a second virtual straight line connecting end points of the second intersection edge at which the second intersection edge intersects with both sides of the second bridge abutment 302 (see fig. 4(c) annotated below),
a back of at least one of the first bridge pier and the second bridge pier is configured such that residue of a photoresist and/or a sacrifice layer in a removal process of the photoresist and/or the sacrifice layer used in manufacture of the airbridge is difficult to remain around a back surface thereof (Chan discloses “Finally, all remaining photoresist is removed. This last step removes not only the protective photoresist 521 on top of the strip but also the portion 505 of the first photoresist that still remained below the middle portion, leaving the structure shown in the last step of FIG. 5”; ¶65. Therefore, Chan discloses a back of at least one of the first bridge pier and the second bridge pier is configured such that residue of a photoresist and/or a sacrifice layer in a removal process of the photoresist and/or the sacrifice layer used in manufacture of the airbridge is difficult to remain around a back surface thereof).
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In re claim 9, Chan discloses in figs. 1-4, the superconducting circuit apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first intersection edge 304 takes a shape of a convex curve protruded against the first virtual straight line toward a side of the first bridge abutment 301 opposing the first virtual straight line, and the second intersection edge 305 takes a shape of a convex curve protruded against the second virtual straight line toward a side of the second bridge abutment 302 opposing the second virtual straight line (see fig. 4(g)).
In re claim 10, Chan discloses in figs. 1-4, the superconducting circuit apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each of the first and second bridge piers has a configuration in which a convex degree of the convex shape corresponding to each of the first and second intersection edges at the bases of the first and second bridge piers is gradually mitigated toward a top of each of the first and second bridge piers (see fig. 4(c) annotated above).
In re claim 11, Chan discloses in figs. 1-4, the superconducting circuit apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the bridge girder part Br_G located at the tops of the first and second bridge piers Br_P1, Br_P2, has a transverse cross section with flat top and bottom edges.
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.
Claim(s) 2, 8 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chan as applied to claims 1 and 7 above, respectively and further in view of Asano et al. (US 20080258311 A1; hereinafter “Asano”).
In re claim 2, Chan discloses in figs. 3-4, the airbridge according to claim 1,
wherein the first intersection edge 304 takes a shape of a convex curve protruded against the first virtual straight line toward a direction opposite to a side of the first bridge abutment 301 opposing the first virtual straight line, and
the second intersection edge 305 takes a shape of a convex curve protruded against the second virtual straight line toward a direction opposite to a side of the second bridge abutment 302 opposing the second virtual straight line (see fig. 4(c) annotated above).
Chan does not expressly disclose a structure in which the back surface at least one of the first bridge pier and the second bridge pier configured to protrude convexly toward other of the first bridge pier and the second bridge pier, along with each of backs of the first and second intersection edges of the first and second bridge abutments being convex, making it difficult for the residue of the photoresist and/or the sacrifice layer in the removal process of the photoresist and/or the sacrifice layer employed in the manufacture of the airbridge to remain therein.
In the same field of endeavor, Asano discloses in figs. 1-9, an airbridge 14, 13-1, 13-2 (¶22) comprising
a structure in which the back surface at least one of the first bridge pier and the second bridge pier (e.g., intermediate portions between the planar end portions 13-1, 13-2 and the top portion of the airbridge 14. Hereinafter “Br_P1” and “Br_P2”) configured to protrude convexly toward other of the first bridge pier and the second bridge pier (¶9),
along with each of backs of the first and second intersection edges of the first and second bridge abutments being convex (see fig. 1, each of backs of the first and second intersection edges of the first and second bridge abutments 13-1, 13-2 being convex), making it difficult for the residue of the photoresist and/or the sacrifice layer in the removal process of the photoresist and/or the sacrifice layer employed in the manufacture of the airbridge to remain therein (¶28-31; Asano recognizes that the convex shape of airbridge 14 makes it difficult for the residue of the photoresist and/or the sacrifice layer in the removal process of the photoresist and/or the sacrifice layer employed in the manufacture of the airbridge to remain therein. Therefore, Asano employs special technique as described in ¶28-31 to remove the residue of the photoresist).
It 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 to employ the teachings of Asano into the airbridge shape of Chan for increasing mechanical strength of air bridge wiring itself without increasing manufacturing costs (¶7-10).
In re claim 8, Chan discloses in figs. 1-4, the superconducting circuit apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first intersection edge 304 takes a shape of a convex curve protruded against the first virtual straight line toward a direction opposite to a side of the first bridge abutment 301 opposing the first virtual straight line, and the second intersection edge 305 takes a shape of a convex curve protruded against the second virtual straight line toward a direction opposite to a side of the second bridge abutment 302 opposing the second virtual straight line (see fig. 4(c) annotated above).
Chan does not expressly disclose a structure in which the back surface at least one of the first bridge pier and the second bridge pier configured to protrude convexly toward other of the first bridge pier and the second bridge pier, along with each of backs of the first and second intersection edges of the first and second bridge abutments being convex, making it difficult for the residue of the photoresist and/or the sacrifice layer in the removal process of the photoresist and/or the sacrifice layer employed in the manufacture of the airbridge to remain therein.
In the same field of endeavor, Asano discloses in figs. 1-9, an airbridge 14, 13-1, 13-2 (¶22) comprising
a structure in which the back surface at least one of the first bridge pier and the second bridge pier (e.g., intermediate portions between the planar end portions 13-1, 13-2 and the top portion of the airbridge 14. Hereinafter “Br_P1” and “Br_P2”) configured to protrude convexly toward other of the first bridge pier and the second bridge pier (¶9),
along with each of backs of the first and second intersection edges of the first and second bridge abutments being convex (see fig. 1, each of backs of the first and second intersection edges of the first and second bridge abutments 13-1, 13-2 being convex), making it difficult for the residue of the photoresist and/or the sacrifice layer in the removal process of the photoresist and/or the sacrifice layer employed in the manufacture of the airbridge to remain therein (¶28-31; Asano recognizes that the convex shape of airbridge 14 makes it difficult for the residue of the photoresist and/or the sacrifice layer in the removal process of the photoresist and/or the sacrifice layer employed in the manufacture of the airbridge to remain therein. Therefore, Asano employs special technique as described in ¶28-31 to remove the residue of the photoresist).
It 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 to employ the teachings of Asano into the airbridge shape of Chan for increasing mechanical strength of air bridge wiring itself without increasing manufacturing costs (¶7-10).
Claim(s) 6 and 12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chan as applied to claims 1 and 7 above, respectively and further in view of Zhang et al. (US 20220216390 A1; hereinafter “Zhang”).
In re claim 6, Chan discloses in figs. 3-4, the airbridge according to claim 1, but does not expressly disclose wherein at least the bridge girder part includes a mesh structure.
In the same field of endeavor, Chang discloses an airbridge (figs.1-3) wherein at least the bridge girder part (i.e., the top part pf the airbridge 232) includes a mesh structure (¶32).
It 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 to form mesh structure on the bridge girder part of Chan’s airbridge and arrive at the claimed invention. One would have been motivated to do so as Zhang teaches by having openings like a mesh structure on the airbridge, a complete release of the bridge brace material is ensured, and bridge brace material residues are prevented from being left inside the bridge hole, thereby improving the overall device quality of the air bridge and the fabrication accuracy of the air bridge (¶11 of Zhang).
In re claim 12, Chan as modified by Zhang discloses the superconducting circuit apparatus according to claim 7, but does not expressly disclose wherein at least the bridge girder part includes a mesh structure.
In the same field of endeavor, Chang discloses an airbridge (figs.1-3) wherein at least the bridge girder part (i.e., the top part pf the airbridge 232) includes a mesh structure (¶32).
It 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 to form mesh structure on the bridge girder part of Chan’s airbridge and arrive at the claimed invention. One would have been motivated to do so as Zhang teaches by having openings like a mesh structure on the airbridge, a complete release of the bridge brace material is ensured, and bridge brace material residues are prevented from being left inside the bridge hole, thereby improving the overall device quality of the air bridge and the fabrication accuracy of the air bridge (¶11 of Zhang).
Claim(s) 13 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chan as applied to claim 7 above, and further in view of Adiga et al. (US 20190089033 A1; hereinafter “Adiga”).
In re claim 13, Chan discloses in figs. 1-4, the superconducting circuit apparatus according to claim 7,
wherein the superconducting circuit apparatus includes:
a plurality of the air bridges 112, 113 separately provided in parallel and striding over the third conductor 111 to bridge first and second conductors 104 (¶36-38).
Chan does not expressly disclose a plurality of lateral members provided perpendicular to a longitudinal direction the bridge girder part, the plurality of lateral members connecting the bridge girder parts of the plurality of the air bridges provided at a predetermined interval along a longitudinal direction the bridge girder parts to form a mesh structure.
In the same field of endeavor, Adiga discloses superconducting circuit apparatus (figs. 1-3), wherein a plurality of the air bridges separately provided in parallel (“the pattern is designed such that the bridge will be multiple substantially parallel bridges. For example, the bridge could actually be two bridges with crossbeams connecting the two bridges”; ¶56),
a plurality of lateral members provided perpendicular to a longitudinal direction the bridge girder part, the plurality of lateral members connecting the bridge girder parts of the plurality of the air bridges provided at a predetermined interval along a longitudinal direction the bridge girder parts to form a mesh structure (“the pattern is designed such that the bridge will be multiple substantially parallel bridges. For example, the bridge could actually be two bridges with crossbeams connecting the two bridges. In an embodiment, the etching could form the bridge into a mesh shape with multiple hole” ¶56).
It 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 to form a plurality of bridges with lateral connecting members to form a mesh in the airbridge of Chan and arrive at the claimed invention. One would have been motivated to do so as Chan teaches the holes between multiple airbridges are formed such that the base material can be etched through the one or more holes, and where the set of one or more holes is sized such that metal cannot be deposited through the set of one or more holes (¶56).
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 NILUFA RAHIM whose telephone number is (571)272-8926. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9am-5:30pm EST.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Yara J. Green can be reached at (571) 270-3035. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/NILUFA RAHIM/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2893
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