Title: Slider-disk clearance characterisation and optimisation for high-reliability magnetic hard disk drives

Authors: Andrei Khurshudov, George W. Tyndall

Addresses: Reliability Technology Department, Samsung Information Systems America, San Jose, CA 95134, USA. ' Chemical Reliability Department, Samsung Information Systems America, San Jose, CA 95134, USA

Abstract: This paper deals with the tribological reliability and durability issues in modern magnetic recording hard disk drives where the slider flies over the disk at distances typically less than 10 nm and at linear velocities of dozens meters per second. Specifically, we address the slider-disk clearance, which is known to have a major impact on HDD reliability. We discuss clearance-measuring techniques, the theoretical relationship between the clearance and reliability, and the relative contributions of different factors such as disk surface roughness, slider dynamic pitch, and disk lubricant properties to the overall drive performance.

Keywords: HDD reliability; tribology; durability; slider-disk clearance measurement; hard disk drives; optimisation; magnetic recording; disk surface roughness, slider dynamic pitch; disk lubricants; disk drive performance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2008.017465

International Journal of Product Development, 2008 Vol.5 No.3/4, pp.292 - 305

Published online: 11 Mar 2008 *

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