Abstract: A reflective grating for precision location measurement is disclosed. In one embodiment, the reflective grating has a non-reflective substrate and a non-reflective adhesion layer disposed on the substrate layer. A reflective surface layer is disposed on the adhesion layer. In another embodiment, the reflective grating is manufactured on the reflective (polished) surface of a monolithic substrate. A series of grating lines are formed in the reflective surface layer by vaporizing portions of the reflective surface layer with a laser in order to expose the non-reflective adhesion layer. Accordingly, alternating reflective and non-reflective grating lines are formed that are used for making precision measurements.

Abstract: A positioner which can move an object such as a magnetic recording head. The positioner includes a housing with an inner opening. The housing is located within a coordinate system that includes an x axis, a y axis and a z axis. An electrical/mechanical transducer is coupled to the inner opening of the housing by at least two flexure joint inserts. Expansion or contraction of the transducer creates a movement of the housing along the x or y axis. The flexure joint inserts allow the transducer to be adjusted within the inner opening during assembly to minimize the out of plane movement of the housing along the z axis.