Numerical and experimental investigation of the head/disk interface

Abstract

Numerical and experimental design tools were developed to predict and analyze the mechanical behavior of the magnetic head disk interface. A finite element simulator for pivoted slider bearings as used in hard disk drives was implemented to predict the steady state flying characteristics of arbitrarily shaped slider contours. Extensions to incorporate flexible disks are outlined and discussed. In addition to the numerical simulations, a novel multi-wavelength interferometer was invented and built that is particularly suited for spacing measurements at head/flexible medium interfaces in the spacing range from 125 nm to contact.