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Lam Research

IPEC 472

CMPLam Research IPEC 472 family
Research Quality: 40% complete

Provisional entry — research in progress

This page was generated automatically from cited public sources and hasn't completed the full research pass yet. Every specification shown carries its source; more detail is added as research completes.

The Lam / IPEC 472 is a CMP (chemical mechanical polisher / chemical mechanical planarization) system. The Lam / IPEC 472 is configured for 6-inch wafer processing. The Lam / IPEC 472 is also configured for 8-inch wafer processing.[1][2][3]

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What it is

The Lam Research IPEC 472 is a chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) polisher.[1][2][3]

How it works

General reference — not yet source-verified

In a CMP tool, the wafer is mounted on a rotating carrier head and pressed face-down against a rotating polishing pad. Slurry, containing abrasive particles and reactive chemicals, is dispensed onto the pad. The combination of chemical attack and mechanical action removes material at a controlled rate.

Where it fits in the process flow

General reference — not yet source-verified

CMP is used after deposition steps such as oxide deposition, metal deposition, or poly-silicon deposition to remove excess material and create a flat surface for subsequent lithography. In the semiconductor fabrication flow, CMP typically follows a deposition or etching step and precedes photolithography.

Applications

General reference — not yet source-verified

The IPEC 472 is used for planarizing interlayer dielectrics, shallow trench isolation structures, and metal layers such as tungsten and copper.

What do the numbers mean?

Wafer handling3

Wafer size
6 inch, 8 inch[2]
Accurate?
Wafer size
8 inch[3]
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Wafer size
6 inch[2]
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Gas & chemistry2

Category
CMP (Chemical Mechanical Polisher / Chemical Mechanical Planarization)[1]
Accurate?
Category
CMP (Chemical Mechanical Polisher/Planarization)[1]
Accurate?

Configuration & options4

Surface Automated[1]
Accurate?
Fully Refurbished[2]
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Make / OEM
Lam / IPEC[1]
Accurate?
Model
472[1]
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What replaced it?

Alternatives

Tools documented as functional equivalents — same process step and wafer size, from a different manufacturer. Each equivalence cites its source.

What does it need to run?

Site utility requirements, footprint, and infrastructure needed to install and operate this tool. Sourced from public records.

  • CategoryCMP (Chemical Mechanical Polisher / Chemical Mechanical Planarization)[1]
  • CategoryCMP (Chemical Mechanical Polisher/Planarization)[1]

Where are the manuals?

Generated from public-source data on file. Enter your email to access — nothing is published; details are routed privately.

Not publicly documented

Field notes

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Frequently asked questions

What type of equipment is the IPEC 472?

The IPEC 472 is a chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) polisher.[1][2][3]

Not publicly documented

The following facts about the IPEC 472 are absent from this record as of this revision. First-hand knowledge or a citation closes a gap; every submission is reviewed before publication.

  • No publicly documented production dates or lifecycle milestones (introduction, end of production, EOL) for the IPEC 472 are on record.

    Answerable by: OEM historical records or a trade-press announcement

  • No publicly documented variants, configuration options, or revision breakpoints of the IPEC 472 are on record.

    Answerable by: an OEM product catalog or an engineer who ordered or specified the tool

  • The control-system platform and OS era of the IPEC 472 are not on record.

    Answerable by: an engineer who operated it or OEM installation records

  • No publicly documented failure modes or field errata for the IPEC 472 are on record.

    Answerable by: a field service engineer, process engineer, or maintenance technician

  • The process node or technology generation of the IPEC 472 is not on record.

    Answerable by: an OEM datasheet or a fab qualification report

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Sources & citations

Sources (3)Every fact above is drawn from these public sources
  1. [1]inventory listing
  2. [2]inventory listing
  3. [3]Equipment inventory listing
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Last updated Oct 10, 2026.

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