Abstract: A method for writing servo patterns onto a disk of a disk drive. The method includes providing a plurality of different drive currents for an actuator while pushing the actuator into a crash stop defining a swing range of the actuator. The method also includes performing a write operation for at least one of the plurality of different drive currents to write a plurality of servo pattern tracks including a plurality of separate servo pattern sectors. Furthermore, the method includes gradually changing a drive current of the plurality of different drive currents while pushing the actuator into the crash stop so as to gradually move a read element in searching for a servo pattern track to a radial position different from a radial position of the write element. Moreover, the method includes positioning the read element at one of the plurality of servo pattern tracks.

Abstract: A method for writing servo sector sets that include a plurality of separate servo sectors on a disk so that servo sectors are present at same circumferential positions but different radial positions. The method includes reading a first servo sector set in a track with a read element such that the track includes first, second and third servo sector sets. The method also includes writing the third servo sector set with a write element at a different radial position from the read element with positional control and timing control using the first servo sector set while skipping the second servo sector set if all servo sectors of the first servo sector set are non-defective. Moreover, the method includes using positional control and timing control using the second servo sector set in the writing of the third servo sector set if the first servo sector set includes a defective servo sector.

Abstract: A method for writing servo sector sets that include a plurality of separate servo sectors on a disk so that servo sectors are present at same circumferential positions but different radial positions. The method includes reading a first servo sector set in a track with a read element such that the track includes first, second and third servo sector sets. The method also includes writing the third servo sector set with a write element at a different radial position from the read element with positional control and timing control using the first servo sector set while skipping the second servo sector set if all servo sectors of the first servo sector set are non-defective. Moreover, the method includes using positional control and timing control using the second servo sector set in the writing of the third servo sector set if the first servo sector set includes a defective servo sector.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a magnetic head that includes negative expansion material. According to one embodiment, the magnetic head includes a read element, a substrate, and at least a partial layer of negative expansion material to control, at least in part, a fly height between an air bearing surface associated with the magnetic head and a disk surface. The material is manganese nitride based and non-insulating and the layer of negative expansion material is parallel to the substrate, according to one embodiment.

Abstract: A method for writing servo patterns onto a disk of a disk drive. The method includes providing a plurality of different drive currents for an actuator while pushing the actuator into a crash stop defining a swing range of the actuator. The method also includes performing a write operation for at least one of the plurality of different drive currents to write a plurality of servo pattern tracks including a plurality of separate servo pattern sectors. Furthermore, the method includes gradually changing a drive current of the plurality of different drive currents while pushing the actuator into the crash stop so as to gradually move a read element in searching for a servo pattern track to a radial position different from a radial position of the write element. Moreover, the method includes positioning the read element at one of the plurality of servo pattern tracks.

Abstract: A disk drive has a head fly-height actuator wherein the head-disk spacing is controlled as a function of both the track, and the sector or sectors within the track, where data is to be read or written. The fly-height actuator may be a thermal actuator comprising a heater located on the slider near the read/write head. The fly-height controller (FHC) for the thermal actuator stores band control signal (BCS) values representative of heater power (Hp) to be applied to the thermal actuator when reading or writing to a data track in the associated band of tracks. The FHC also either calculates from a programmed equation or recalls sector control signal (SCS) values representative of an Hp increment to be applied to the thermal actuator depending on the sector or sectors where data is to be written. The FHC sums the appropriate SCS value with the appropriate BCS value to achieve the desired Hp, resulting in the optimal fly-height not only for the selected band but also for the selected sector or sectors.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a magnetic head that includes negative expansion material. According to one embodiment, the magnetic head includes a read element, a substrate, and at least a partial layer of negative expansion material to control, at least in part, a fly height between an air bearing surface associated with the magnetic head and a disk surface. The material is manganese nitride based and non-insulating and the layer of negative expansion material is parallel to the substrate, according to one embodiment.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a tradeoff between reliability and performance for a disk drive. According to one embodiment, a first measurement at a first thermal fly height control (TFC) heater level that provides low reliability for a parameter and a second measurement at a second TFC heater level that provides low performance for the parameter are determined. The first measurement and the second measurement are used to determine if there is a third TFC heater level that at least satisfies a criteria for the parameter whereby the tradeoff between the reliability and the performance for the disk drive is enabled.

Abstract: A disk drive has a head fly-height actuator wherein the head-disk spacing is controlled as a function of both the track, and the sector or sectors within the track, where data is to be read or written. The fly-height actuator may be a thermal actuator comprising a heater located on the slider near the read/write head. The fly-height controller (FHC) for the thermal actuator stores band control signal (BCS) values representative of heater power (Hp) to be applied to the thermal actuator when reading or writing to a data track in the associated band of tracks. The FHC also either calculates from a programmed equation or recalls sector control signal (SCS) values representative of an Hp increment to be applied to the thermal actuator depending on the sector or sectors where data is to be written. The FHC sums the appropriate SCS value with the appropriate BCS value to achieve the desired Hp, resulting in the optimal fly-height not only for the selected band but also for the selected sector or sectors.

Abstract: A disk drive has a resistive heater located near the read/write head as a thermal fly-height actuator and uses an improved method for operating the fly-height actuator. As part of the method, the heater may be deactivated during a seek to minimize the risk of head-disk contacts. When a write command is received, a level of heater power is applied to pre-heat the write head prior to writing the initial data sectors. This pre-heating heater power level may be higher than the power level used for writing. Then when writing commences, the lower power level is applied to the heater so the write head has the optimal head-disk spacing during the writing of all the data sectors, including the initial data sectors. Even though the heater may be deactivated during the seek the controller can initiate pre-heating during the last portion of the seek before the write head has reached the target track.