Abstract: A proximity sensor is described including a capacitor formed by a first conductive element and a second conductive element. The first conductive element and the second conductive element are situated at a magnetic head, a slider that connects to the magnetic head, a reader of the magnetic head, a writer of the magnetic head, a reader shield of the magnetic head, or a writer shield of the magnetic head. A capacitance and a fringing electric field are formed by the capacitor when there is a voltage difference between the first conductive element and the second conductive element. The capacitor is situated such that the fringing electric field changes with a positioning change of a magnetic storage medium with respect to at least one of the first conductive element and the second conductive element. The capacitor is also situated such that the capacitance changes with the fringing electric field change.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a disk drive is described. The disk drive includes media such as one or more disks, a slider, and a head residing on the slider. The head has an air-bearing surface (ABS), a portion of which contacts the media during touchdown. The head further includes a plurality of touchdown sensors. A first touchdown sensor is proximate to the ABS, while a second touchdown sensor is distal from the ABS. The touchdown sensors are capable of detecting a temperature change of 0.1 degree Celsius or, in some embodiments, smaller.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a disk drive is described. The disk drive includes media such as one or more disks, a slider and a head residing on the slider. The head has an air-bearing surface (ABS) and includes a touchdown sensor proximate to the ABS. The touchdown sensor is capable of detecting a temperature change of 0.1 degree Celsius or, in some embodiments, smaller. The disk drive also includes touchdown sensor control circuitry coupled with the touchdown sensor. The touchdown sensor control circuitry drives a current through the touchdown sensor and converts a signal from the touchdown sensor into an indication of whether touchdown has occurred.

Abstract: An atom probe provides rapidly pulsed field evaporation/desorption of ions from a tip utilizing a local extraction electrode positioned closely adjacent to the tip. A bias potential is applied between the tip and the local extraction electrode which provides an electric field at the tip which is less than but near the field intensity required for field evaporation of ions. Additional potential is applied between the tip and the extraction electrode in relatively low over-voltage pulses to obtain field evaporation of ions without substantially accelerating the ions. The ions extracted from the tip by the sharply defined pulses pass through an aperture in the extraction electrode and are accelerated by a large potential difference between the tip and a detector spaced from the tip and the local extraction electrode.