DETAILED 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 .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention. Claim 1 recites, “slowly reducing the pressure” in step D. “slowly” is a relative term and indefinite. It is unclear what reducing rate would meet the limitation “slowly.” The same argument applies to claims 2-9 which depends from claim 1.
Claims 1-9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention. Claim 1 recites, “stopping the rotation and pulling of the seed crystal when the size of the crystal is close to the wall of the VGF crucible” in step F. It is unclear the meets the bounds of “close.” For example, it is unclear if 15 mm, 10 mm or 5 mm or 1 mm etc is “close.” The same argument applies to claims 2-9 which depends from claim 1.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the matching heating system" in step B. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 2 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention. Claim 2 recites, “the inert gas is slowly filled” in line 3. “slowly” is a relative term and indefinite. It is unclear what rate would meet the limitation “slowly.”
Claim 2 recites the limitation "the balance gas tube" in line 3. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 8 recites the limitation "the adapter fixture" in line 4. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 9 recites the limitation "the adapter fixture" in line 4. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 9 recites the limitation "the differential pressure tube" in line 5. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 8 recites the limitation "the upper furnace cover" in line 3. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 9 recites the limitation " the upper furnace cover " in line 4. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Matsumoto et al (US 5,290,395) teaches a continuous LEC process comprising a first crucible 2 for crystal growth containing a melt 6 and a liquid sealant 8; and a second crucible 16 containing a liquid sealant 8 and a melt for replenishing (Fig 2; col 6-8).
Burmeister et al (US 3,305,485) a melting or drawing vessel 6; a capillary (suction) connected to the bottom of the vessel 6 and a container 9 filled with a melt, wherein the drawing vessel is disposed above the container 9 (Fig 2; col 4-8).
Wang et al (US 2019/0352794) teaches a continuous VGF process comprising an injection system (abstract; Fig 6; [0040]-[0062]).
Wang et al (US 2021/0285123) teaches a continuous VGF growth using a reverse injection system comprising capillaries and boron oxide (abstract; fig 1-10; [0044]-[0080]).
JP2004107120A teaches an LEC process comprising a temperature gradient in a liquid encapsulant is controlled to be 100°C/cm or less; and the gradient above the liquid encapsulant is controlled to be 35°C/cm or less (computer translation [0006]).
Kawasaki et al (US 4,863,554) teaches a LEC crystal growth method comprising a vertical temperature gradient of 5-100°C/cm (Fig; col 2-3).
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MATTHEW J SONG whose telephone number is (571)272-1468. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 10AM-6PM.
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MATTHEW J. SONG
Examiner
Art Unit 1714
/MATTHEW J SONG/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1714
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