Provided herein is an apparatus including a head over-coat and a depleted region in the head over-coat. A media over-coat is deposited in the depleted region. A near field transducer is adjacent to the head over-coat, wherein the near field transducer combusts the deposited media over-coat.

Provided herein is an apparatus including a head over-coat and a depleted region in the head over-coat. A media over-coat is deposited in the depleted region. A near field transducer is adjacent to the head over-coat, wherein the near field transducer combusts the deposited media over-coat.

An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a module having a tape bearing surface, a first edge, and a second edge. A sensor is located in a thin film region of the module. The sensor has a free layer. A distance from the first edge to the free layer is less than a distance from the second edge to the free layer. A method according to another embodiment includes detecting a distance between a free layer of a sensor and an edge closest thereto. The free layer is positioned between an upper shield and the edge. A wrap angle is selected based on the detected distance for inducing tenting of a magnetic recording tape in a region above the free layer when the magnetic recording tape moves over the module.

An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a module having a tape bearing surface, a first edge, and a second edge. A sensor is located in a thin film region of the module. The sensor has a free layer. A distance from the first edge to the free layer is less than a distance from the second edge to the free layer. A method according to another embodiment includes detecting a distance between a free layer of a sensor and an edge closest thereto. The free layer is positioned between an upper shield and the edge. A wrap angle is selected based on the detected distance for inducing tenting of a magnetic recording tape in a region above the free layer when the magnetic recording tape moves over the module.

A lumped-parameter function δ is determined that represents an average power dissipated by a write transducer when writing a signal to a magnetic recording medium. Temperatures of the write transducer are measured while varying the parameters to determine constants of the function δ. The function δ is used to adjust power applied to a clearance control heater when writing to the magnetic recording medium.

A method of providing an apparatus with a protective layer by simultaneously depositing carbon and seed material on the apparatus to form an intermediate layer, wherein the carbon and seed material have a percentage composition that varies as a function of the intermediate layer thickness; and then providing a diamond-like carbon (DLC) layer adjacent to the intermediate layer to produce the protective layer.

A method of providing an apparatus with a protective layer by simultaneously depositing carbon and seed material on the apparatus to form an intermediate layer, wherein the carbon and seed material have a percentage composition that varies as a function of the intermediate layer thickness; and then providing a diamond-like carbon (DLC) layer adjacent to the intermediate layer to produce the protective layer.

A heat generating component of a slider is energized at a predetermined frequency. The heat generating component changes a spacing between a medium and the slider. A temperature response proximate a media-facing surface of the slider is measured while the heating element is energized. Based on the measured temperature response, a determination is made as to whether the media-facing surface is contaminated. In response to determining that the media-facing surface is contaminated, remedial action is taken.

A magnetic device including: a magnetic reader; a magnetic writer; and a variable overcoat, the variable overcoat positioned over at least the magnetic reader and writer, the variable overcoat having an overcoat layer, the overcoat layer having a substantially constant thickness and material; and at least one disparate overcoat portion, the disparate overcoat portion having a different thickness, a different material, or both, than the overcoat layer.

A magnetic device including: a magnetic reader; a magnetic writer; and a variable overcoat, the variable overcoat positioned over at least the magnetic reader and writer, the variable overcoat having an overcoat layer, the overcoat layer having a substantially constant thickness and material; and at least one disparate overcoat portion, the disparate overcoat portion having a different thickness, a different material, or both, than the overcoat layer.