Abstract: An apparatus and method for evaluating surface characteristics of a recording disc prior to incorporation into a disc drive. A glide test system includes a glide test head supportable over the disc, the glide test head having a negative-pressure air bearing slider and a contact sensor which outputs a signal when the glide test head contacts a feature of the disc surface. The glide test head and the disc are characterized as opposing plates of a variable capacitor with a dielectric layer therebetween including at least a layer of air supporting the glide test head. A voltage source, operably coupled to the glide test head and the disc, applies a fly height control voltage across the capacitor to adjust the fly height of the glide test head. The disc surface preferably comprises a data region configured to magnetically store data as the disc is rotated and a texturized landing zone configured to support the disc drive read/write head when the disc is stopped.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evaluating surface characteristics of a recording disc prior to incorporation into a disc drive. A glide test system includes a glide test head supportable over the disc, the glide test head having a negative-pressure air bearing slider and a contact sensor which outputs a signal when the glide test head contacts a feature of the disc surface. The glide test head and the disc are characterized as opposing plates of a variable capacitor with a dielectric layer therebetween including at least a layer of air supporting the glide test head. A voltage source, operably coupled to the glide test head and the disc, applies a fly height control voltage across the capacitor to adjust the fly height of the glide test head. The disc surface preferably comprises a data region configured to magnetically store data as the disc is rotated and a texturized landing zone configured to support the disc drive read/write head when the disc is stopped.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evaluating surface characteristics of a recording disc prior to incorporation into a disc drive. A glide test system includes a glide test head supportable over the disc, the glide test head having a negative-pressure air bearing slider and a contact sensor which outputs a signal when the glide test head contacts a feature of the disc surface. The glide test head and the disc are characterized as opposing plates of a variable capacitor with a dielectric layer therebetween including at least a layer of air supporting the glide test head. A voltage source, operably coupled to the glide test head and the disc, applies a fly height control voltage across the capacitor to adjust the fly height of the glide test head. The disc surface preferably comprises a data region configured to magnetically store data as the disc is rotated and a texturized landing zone configured to support the disc drive read/write head when the disc is stopped.

Abstract: Disclosed is anew technique for measuring the resistivity of ultra-thin carbon films (less than 200 Å). The technique involves using a probe with very smooth surface, a thin layer lubricant (20-30Å)that enables the intimate and stable electrical contact between probe and the thin film, and measurement of I-V curve to determine resistance. Resistivity measurements were conducted on carbon films doped with hydrogen and nitrogen at different mixture ratios and different thicknesses, and the results were compared with those obtained on a commercially available machine that uses a mercury probe. The advantages of the present technique include simple in use, less expensive and quick measurements with reasonably good accuracy.