Abstract: A method for patterning and forming very small structures on a substrate such as a wafer. The process uses a difference in surface energy between a mask and the substrate to selectively deposit a hard mask material such as a metal onto the surface of the substrate. The mask can be formed extremely thin, such as only an atomic mono-layer thick, and can be patterned by ion beam photolithography. The pattern can, therefore, be formed with extremely high resolution. The thin mask layer can be constructed of various materials and can be constructed of perfluorpolyether diacrylate (PDA), which can be dip coated to and exposed to form a desirable positive photoresist mask layer.

Abstract: A slider-disk interface tester for measuring the friction force at the interface uses a “negative-pitch” slider in contact with a rotating disk. The tester includes a base that supports a motor for rotating the disk and an actuator for supporting the slider and moving it to a desired radial location on the disk surface. The slider is connected to the actuator by a rigid arm and a suspension like the suspension used in disk drives. When the disk is rotating, the negative-pitch slider has its upstream or leading portion in contact with the disk surface and its downstream or trailing portion not in contact with the disk surface. A contact pad is located at the leading portion of the slider and is in contact with the disk surface. The tester includes a friction-force sensor and associated measurement circuitry, such as strain gauge, piezoelectric and temperature sensors, and is located at one of several locations on the rigid arm, suspension or slider.

Abstract: A magnetic recording disk drive has a negative-pitch slider in near-contact or continuous-contact with the disk during reading and writing of data. When the disk is rotating at its operating speed, the slider has its upstream or leading portion located closer to the disk surface than its downstream or trailing portion. Both the leading and trailing portions have air-bearing surfaces that enable the slider to be partially supported above the disk surface. A contact pad that provides no substantial air-bearing support is located at the leading portion and supports or contains the magnetic elements of the read/write head. The contact pad protrudes beyond the air-bearing surface of the leading portion and is in contact with the disk. For near-contact recording the contact pad partially wears away during an initial wear-in period. For continuous-contact recording the contact pad is wear-resistant and remains in substantially continuous contact with the disk during reading and writing of data.

Abstract: A method and system for determining contact potential voltages between a slider body and a hard disk of a hard disk drive. In embodiments of the present invention, at least one continuous negative direct current (DC) voltage is applied between a slider body and a hard disk of a hard disk drive. Then, at least one continuous positive direct current (DC) voltage is applied between the slider body and the hard disk. A contact potential voltage between the slider body and the hard disk is then determined in response to the applying of the direct current voltages.