Appeal No. 1997-1757
Application No. 08/450,145
This is a decision on appeal from the final rejection of
claims 5, 7 and 8. Claims 1 through 4 and 6 have been
withdrawn as being directed to a nonelected invention.
The invention is directed to a method of controlling a
carrier lifetime in a semiconductor switching device.
Representative independent claim 5 is reproduced as follows:
5. A transistor having a semiconductor layer with a
current path portion extending substantially from a first
electrode to a second electrode of said transistor through
which a main current flows such that said semiconductor layer
is structured so that the carrier lifetime in said
semiconductor layer is different between substantially all of
said current path portion of said semiconductor layer serving
as a path for most of said main current and a remaining
portion of said semiconductor layer.
The examiner relies on the following reference:
Baliga et al. 4,620,211 Oct. 28, 1986
Claims 5, 7 and 8 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112,
first and second paragraphs, as being based on an inadequate
written description and being indefinite, respectively.
Further, claims 5, 7 and 8 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. §
103 as unpatentable over Baliga.
Reference is made to the briefs and answer for the
respective positions of appellant and the examiner.
OPINION
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