Abstract: An apparatus has an information storage medium with an information storage surface, and structure operable to effect relative movement of the head and surface within a first zone while maintaining the head adjacent the surface and while using the head to effect at least one of reading information from and writing information to the surface. A head cleaning section includes a cleaning part engageable with the head when the head is in a second zone where the head is spaced from the surface, the structure being operable to effect relative movement of the engaged head and cleaning part in a manner which includes a component of movement that is representative of an applied force subject to a damping influence.

Abstract: The present invention includes capacitive film thickness measurement devices and measurement systems. The invention also includes machines or instruments using those aspects of the invention. The present invention additionally includes methods and procedures using those devices of the present invention. The present invention discloses a capacitance measurement device and technique useful in determining lubricant film thickness on substrates such as magnetic thin-film rigid disks. Using the present invention, variations in lubricant thickness on the Angstrom scale or less may be measured quickly and nondestructively.

Abstract: An apparatus has an information storage medium with an information storage surface, and structure operable to effect relative movement of the head and surface within a first zone while maintaining the head adjacent the surface and while using the head to effect at least one of reading information from and writing information to the surface. A head cleaning section includes a cleaning part engageable with the head when the head is in a second zone where the head is spaced from the surface, the structure being operable to effect relative movement of the engaged head and cleaning part in a manner which includes a component of movement that is representative of an applied force subject to a damping influence.

Abstract: A data storage apparatus (10) includes a drive (13) which can removably receive a cartridge (12) that contains a rotatable hard disk (17). The drive has a read/write head (38) supported for movement between a position adjacent an information storage surface (21) on the disk, and a position engaging a cleaning surface (52, 118) located within the drive. A vibrator (56, 112) effects vibration of the cleaning surface while it engages the head, in order to provide efficient and effective cleaning of an air bearing surface on the head, including shallow recesses of this surface.

Abstract: Capacitive film thickness measurement devices and measurement systems used in machines or instruments. A capacitance measurement device and technique useful in determining lubricant film thickness on substrates such as magnetic thin-film rigid disks. Variations in lubricant thickness on the Angstrom scale or less may be measured quickly and nondestructively.

Abstract: The present invention includes capacitive film thickness measurement devices and measurement systems. The invention also includes machines or instruments using those aspects of the invention. The present invention additionally includes methods and procedures using those devices of the present invention. The present invention discloses a capacitance measurement device and technique useful in determining lubricant film thickness on substrates such as magnetic thin-film rigid disks. Using the present invention, variations in lubricant thickness on the Angstrom scale or less may be measured quickly and nondestructively.

Abstract: The present invention includes capacitive film thickness measurement devices and measurement systems used in machines or instruments. A capacitance measurement device and technique useful in determining lubricant film thickness on substrates such as magnetic thin-film rigid disks. Using the present invention, variations in lubricant thickness on the Angstrom scale or less may be measured quickly and nondestructively.

Abstract: An optical storage device that is characterized by an actuator assembly movably coupled within said optical information storage apparatus. A narrow buried heterojunction semiconductor laser is coupled to a distal end of the arm so that the arm moves the narrow buried heterojunction semiconductor laser into a near field relationship with an optical medium. A motor spins the optical medium at an operational speed.

Abstract: The present invention includes capacitive film thickness measurement devices and measurement systems. The invention also includes machines or instruments using those aspects of the invention. The present invention additionally includes methods and procedures using those devices of the present invention. The present invention discloses a capacitance measurement device and technique useful in determining lubricant film thickness on substrates such as magnetic thin-film rigid disks. Also disclosed is a device and technique for determining film thickness by suspending the film in a liquid dielectric. Using the present invention, variations in lubricant thickness on the Angstrom scale or less may be measured quickly and nondestructively.