Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/486,724

GATE CUT STRUCTURE INCLUDING AN AIRGAP

Non-Final OA

Filed

Oct 13, 2023

Examiner

SOWARD, IDA M

Art Unit

2898

Tech Center

2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems

Assignee

International Business Machines Corporation

OA Round

2 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +5.5% interview lift. Interview lift (+5.5%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 1351 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

SOWARD, IDA M View full profile →

Grants 93% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

1260 granted / 1351 resolved

+25.3% vs TC avg

Moderate +6% lift

Without

With

+5.5%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Fast prosecutor

2y 1m

Avg Prosecution

53 currently pending

Career history

1383

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.4%

-39.6% vs TC avg

§103

48.0%

+8.0% vs TC avg

§102

29.0%

-11.0% vs TC avg

§112

22.0%

-18.0% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1351 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Oct 13, 2023

Application Filed

Feb 06, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed

May 06, 2026

Response Filed

Jun 09, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/635,754

Patent 12684801

VERTICAL FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR INCLUDING CHANNEL HAVING GaN AND AIGaN REGIONS

4y 4m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/317,183

Patent 12684998

DISPLAY APPARATUS

3y 2m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/454,503

Patent 12684961

Organic Light Emitting Display Device and Method for Manufacturing the Same

2y 10m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/635,438

Patent 12684891

THREE-TERMINAL INTERDIGITATED BACK CONTACT PHOTOELECTRIC DEVICE

2y 3m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

17/661,029

Patent 12677666

DIE EDGE PROTECTION TO ELIMINATE DIE CHIPPING

4y 2m to grant Granted Jul 07, 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

2-3

Expected OA Rounds

93%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+5.5%)

2y 1m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Moderate

PTA Risk

Based on 1351 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.