Content area
Abstract
An introduction to the mechanics of magnetic tape recording is presented followed by a review of the literature on the measurement and simulation of the spacing at the head/tape interface. Asperity compliance is identified as a crucial factor in determining the head/tape spacing. Monochromatic interferometry using biquadratic intensity calibration envelopes is applied to quarter inch cartridge and Bernoulli interfaces, and a Monte Carlo error analysis is performed. An interferometer using stroboscopic illumination for a helical-scan digital data storage drive is described. Three-wavelength interferometry using a weighted average analysis technique with a multiple reflection theory correction is shown to be an improvement over monochromatic interferometry and to provide automatic fringe identification. A Monte Carlo error analysis is performed. The hardware for performing three-wavelength interferometry is described, with special attention to camera characteristics. Application of the three-wavelength interferometer to the measurement of asperity compliance curves is discussed. An experimental setup for performing five-wavelength interferometry using one camera and taking two images is described.
