Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/612,005

ATOMIC LAYER DEPOSITION ON 3D NAND STRUCTURES

Non-Final OA

Filed

Mar 21, 2024

Priority

Dec 14, 2018 — provisional 62/780,006 +2 more

Examiner

SMITH, BRADLEY

Art Unit

Tech Center

Assignee

Lam Research Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— -3.2% interview lift. Interview lift (-3.2%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 889 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

SMITH, BRADLEY View full profile →

Grants 80% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

709 granted / 889 resolved

+19.8% vs TC avg

Minimal -3% lift

Without

With

+-3.2%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 5m

Avg Prosecution

31 currently pending

Career history

920

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

1.1%

-38.9% vs TC avg

§103

69.3%

+29.3% vs TC avg

§102

6.8%

-33.2% vs TC avg

§112

14.6%

-25.4% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 889 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 21, 2024

Application Filed

May 19, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/005,136

Patent 12677508

Light-Emitting Element and Method for Manufacturing the Same

3y 5m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/133,102

Patent 12677648

TREATMENT OF TUNGSTEN SURFACE FOR TUNGSTEN GAP-FILL

3y 2m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/414,819

Patent 12677450

SIC MOSFETS WITH SATURATION CURRENT PINCHING STRUCTURES

2y 5m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/187,692

Patent 12666765

LIGHT-EMITTING ELEMENT AND LIGHT-EMITTING DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME

3y 3m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

17/164,630

Patent 12657503

EXECUTION OF QUBIT GATES

5y 4m to grant Granted Jun 16, 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

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

80%

Grant Probability

77%

With Interview (-3.2%)

2y 5m (~1m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 889 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.