Last updated: May 29, 2026

Application No. 18/139,699

METHODS FOR FORMING LOW-K DIELECTRIC MATERIALS

Final Rejection

Filed

Apr 26, 2023

Examiner

ANDREWS, FELIX BRYAN

Art Unit

2812

Tech Center

2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems

Assignee

Applied Materials, Inc.

OA Round

2 (Final)

Interview Optional

— +13.4% interview lift. Interview lift (+13.4%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 53 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

ANDREWS, FELIX BRYAN View full profile →

Grants 83% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

44 granted / 53 resolved

+15.0% vs TC avg

Moderate +13% lift

Without

With

+13.4%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 4m

Avg Prosecution

9 currently pending

Career history

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103

91.6%

+51.6% vs TC avg

§102

5.0%

-35.0% vs TC avg

§112

2.5%

-37.5% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 53 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Apr 26, 2023

Application Filed

Sep 09, 2025

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Feb 05, 2026

Response Filed

May 26, 2026

Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/314,979

Patent 12642128

THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) NAND COMPONENT WITH CONTROL CIRCUITRY ACROSS MULTIPLE WAFERS

5y 0m to grant Granted May 26, 2026

18/362,998

Patent 12641776

SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME

2y 9m to grant Granted May 26, 2026

17/357,739

Patent 12635255

SUBSTRATE-LESS DIODE, BIPOLAR AND FEEDTHROUGH INTEGRATED CIRCUIT STRUCTURES

4y 11m to grant Granted May 19, 2026

17/541,529

Patent 12635241

Fork Sheet with Reduced Coupling Effect

4y 5m to grant Granted May 19, 2026

18/192,338

Patent 12635271

METHOD FOR MAKING IMAGE SENSOR DEVICES INCLUDING A SUPERLATTICE

3y 1m to grant Granted May 19, 2026

Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

3-4

Expected OA Rounds

83%

Grant Probability

96%

With Interview (+13.4%)

3y 4m (~3m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Moderate

PTA Risk

Based on 53 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.