A method for cleaning magnetic sliders. One embodiment of the method includes dislodging particulate debris from a surface of a magnetic slider by contacting the surface of the slider with an oscillating brush, enveloping the dislodged particulate debris in a foam, and removing the enveloped particulate debris by removing the foam from the magnetic slider.

A cleaning mechanism is provided with an arm and a drive unit. The arm includes: a holder having a shape that allows a magnetic tape touching a magnetic head to be separated from the magnetic head without wearing the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is under tension; and a cleaning unit that can be brought into contact with the contact surface of the magnetic head that was touching the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is separate from the magnetic head. The drive unit drives the arm to separate the magnetic tape touching the magnetic head from the magnetic head without wearing the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is under tension, and drives the arm so that the cleaning unit comes in contact with the contact surface of the magnetic head that was touching the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is separate from the magnetic head.

A cleaning mechanism is provided with an arm and a drive unit. The arm includes: a holder having a shape that allows a magnetic tape touching a magnetic head to be separated from the magnetic head without wearing the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is under tension; and a cleaning unit that can be brought into contact with the contact surface of the magnetic head that was touching the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is separate from the magnetic head. The drive unit drives the arm to separate the magnetic tape touching the magnetic head from the magnetic head without wearing the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is under tension, and drives the arm so that the cleaning unit comes in contact with the contact surface of the magnetic head that was touching the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is separate from the magnetic head.

According to one embodiment, a head gimbal assembly includes a suspension and a magnetic head supported by the suspension via a gimbal portion. The magnetic head includes a slider and a head portion provided in the slider. The slider includes an air bearing surface, a pair of side surfaces, a leading-side end surface, and a trailing-side end surface. The slider includes a deep groove which is formed between the leading-side step portion and the trailing-side step portion and is open to the air bearing surface and the pair of side surfaces, and a pair of partition walls which extends from the trailing-side step portion toward the leading-side step portion along the pair of side surfaces to close at least a portion of a side surface opening of the deep groove.

According to one embodiment, a head gimbal assembly includes a suspension and a magnetic head supported by the suspension via a gimbal portion. The magnetic head includes a slider and a head portion provided in the slider. The slider includes an air bearing surface, a pair of side surfaces, a leading-side end surface, and a trailing-side end surface. The slider includes a deep groove which is formed between the leading-side step portion and the trailing-side step portion and is open to the air bearing surface and the pair of side surfaces, and a pair of partition walls which extends from the trailing-side step portion toward the leading-side step portion along the pair of side surfaces to close at least a portion of a side surface opening of the deep groove.

A diagnostic tape (318) for use with a tape drive (310) having a tape head (322) includes a first tape section (430A) and a second tape section (430B). The first tape section (430A) and the second tape section (430B) are configured to move across the tape head (322) during use of the tape drive (310). The first tape section (430A) includes a first patterned data code (432A) that is indicative of a first spacing between the tape head (322) and the first tape section (430A). The second tape section (430B) includes a second patterned data code (432B) that is indicative of a second spacing between the tape head (322) and the second tape section (430B). The second patterned data code (432B) is different than the first patterned data code (432A). The diagnostic tape (318) can further include a tape head cleaning section (630F) including abrasive material (650) that is configured to move across the tape head (322) to clean the tape head (322).

A diagnostic tape (318) for use with a tape drive (310) having a tape head (322) includes a first tape section (430A) and a second tape section (430B). The first tape section (430A) and the second tape section (430B) are configured to move across the tape head (322) during use of the tape drive (310). The first tape section (430A) includes a first patterned data code (432A) that is indicative of a first spacing between the tape head (322) and the first tape section (430A). The second tape section (430B) includes a second patterned data code (432B) that is indicative of a second spacing between the tape head (322) and the second tape section (430B). The second patterned data code (432B) is different than the first patterned data code (432A). The diagnostic tape (318) can further include a tape head cleaning section (630F) including abrasive material (650) that is configured to move across the tape head (322) to clean the tape head (322).

A method includes performing a cleaning process. The cleaning process includes measuring a thickness value of a contaminant on a slider. It is determined whether the thickness value is greater than a target thickness. If it is determined that the thickness is greater than the target thickness, the slider is cleaned based on the measured thickness value. The cleaning process is iteratively repeated until the thickness value is less than or equal to the target thickness.

A method includes performing a cleaning process. The cleaning process includes measuring a thickness value of a contaminant on a slider. It is determined whether the thickness value is greater than a target thickness. If it is determined that the thickness is greater than the target thickness, the slider is cleaned based on the measured thickness value. The cleaning process is iteratively repeated until the thickness value is less than or equal to the target thickness.

Provided herein is a magnetic write head including a near field transducer and a magnetic recording media including a media lubricant. The media lubricant includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion of the media lubricant is evaporated in response to heat emitted from the near field transducer. The second portion of the media lubricant that is evaporated removes a contaminant over the near field transducer.