Appeal 2007-0377
Application 10/151,897
of Schrems ‘703 unpersuasive since Figure 4 merely describes a microscopic view
of the interface layers in the polycrystalline region consistent with the teachings of
Sze. In that regard, as pointed out by the Examiner (Answer, 12), Sze teaches that
the dopant precipitations in Schrems ‘703 are formed at the grain boundaries and
control the grain growth in the non-monocrystalline region.
With regard to Appellants’ assertion (Br. 15-16) that Sze teaches against the
combination by considering the precipitations as undesirable, we observe that the
undesirability relates to crystal growth (Sze 18) which is what Schrems ‘703 is also
trying to avoid for forming the proper interface between monocrystalline and the
polycrystalline regions. Therefore, Sze teaches the concentration of the
precipitants at the grain boundary and reinforces the goal of controlling the grain
growth to achieve improved contact structure between the monocrystalline and the
polycrystalline regions.
Based on the presented arguments, the weight of evidence in support of each
side and our findings above, we find the Examiner’s case of prima facie
obviousness to be reasonable. Therefore, we, sustain the 35 U.S.C. § 103 rejection
of claims 60-64, 66, 67, and 69-73 over Schrems ‘703 and Sze.
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