TWG : Certainly once previously referenced patents are defined as state of the art, new patent applications based on those can be processed more quickly.

I would add that the examiner for this Patent, Chuong A. Luu , has been at the USPTO for more than 15 years.

Here's one of the oldest patent he awarded in 2001 :

Thin-film resistor employed in a semiconductor wafer and its method formation

You can also take a look at the number of patents he awarded and how many refer to the semiconductor industry (this is the first page of 69) :

http://patents.justia.com/examiner/chuong-a-luu?page=1

I will contact IR.