Abstract: A method and system for determining localized contact potential voltages and localized clearance data between a slider body and a hard disk of a hard disk drive. In embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of direct current (DC) pulses are applied between said slider body and a discreet location of the hard disk. In embodiments of the present invention, the discreet location of the hard disk comprises a portion of a data track of the hard disk. In embodiments of the present invention, a variation in the clearance of the slider body is determined when a given voltage is applied. Furthermore, a first set of DC pulses has a positive/negative bias while a second set of DC pulses has a negative/positive bias. The voltage of the sets of DC pulses is increased until a contact between the slider body and the hard disk is detected.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously measuring contact potential and slider body clearance in a hard disk drive. In embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of direct current (DC) pulses are applied between a slider body and a hard disk of a magnetic disk drive. The contact potential voltage between the slider body and the hard disk is determined in response to applying the plurality of direct current (DC) pulses. The voltage of the plurality of direct current (DC) pulses is increased until a contact between the slider body and the hard disk is detected.

Abstract: The read-back signal from a HDD head is demodulated to find the pitch frequency of the head, which can be compared to a baseline value to determine if it has increased, indicating a possible failure due to contamination or lubricants pick up. Or, the pitch frequency can be used during manufacturing of a burnished pad head to determine when burnishing has been completed.

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.

Abstract: An electrical potential difference between a slider body and a hard disk of a hard disk drive is eliminated based on the flying-height spacing of the slider body between the slider body and the hard disk. A predetermined bias voltage is applied between the slider body and the hard disk that includes a DC component and an AC component and that is based on the detected flying-height spacing of the slider body. The flying-height spacing can be detected based a minimum slider-to-disk clearance change from a design flying height of the slider at a frequency of the AC component as the DC component of the predetermined bias voltage is varied. Alternatively, the flying-height spacing can be detected based on a minimum electrodynamic response of the slider to a first harmonic of the AC frequency of the AC component as the DC component is varied.

Abstract: An electrical potential difference between a slider body and a hard disk of a hard disk drive is eliminated based on the flying-height spacing of the slider body between the slider body and the hard disk. A predetermined bias voltage is applied between the slider body and the hard disk that includes a DC component and an AC component and that is based on the detected flying-height spacing of the slider body. The flying-height spacing can be detected based a minimum slider-to-disk clearance change from a design flying height of the slider at a frequency of the AC component as the DC component of the predetermined bias voltage is varied. Alternatively, the flying-height spacing can be detected based on a minimum electrodynamic response of the slider to a first harmonic of the AC frequency of the AC component as the DC component is varied.

Abstract: The head of a disk drive has write elements disposed on one protrusion pad that wears away during initial operation to permit reduced tolerances and, thus, reduced spacing between the disk and head, with the read element being disposed on a separate protrusion pad and spaced from the write element pad in the radial dimension. This prevents read element recession during cooling in the absence of write current that could otherwise occur if the read element were located on the same pad as the write head.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for laser texturing symmetrically and simultaneously both sides of a glass containing substrate, such as a magnetic disk. There are two or more acousto-optic modulators arranged in series to obtain equal laser pulses from a first beam from a laser, apparatus for capturing a first order diffracted beam from each acousto-optic modulator; monitoring the wavelength of the laser source, providing a visible indicator or diagnostic beam for each first order diffracted beam, and combining each first order diffracted beam with its respective indicator beam to form a texturing beam for texturing each side of the substrate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for laser texturing symmetrically and simultaneously both sides of a glass containing substrate, such as a magnetic disk. There are two or more acousto-optic modulators arranged in series to obtain equal laser pulses from a first beam from a laser, apparatus for capturing a first order diffracted beam from each acousto-optic modulator; monitoring the wavelength of the laser source, providing a visible indicator or diagnostic bean for each first order diffracted beam, and combining each first order diffracted beam with its respective indicator beam to form a texturing beam for texturing each side of the substrate.