A slider is configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording to a magnetic recording medium. A low- or non-modulation interface is defined between the slider and the medium. A contaminant is present on the slider and between the slider and the medium. A controller is configured to control the slider to dislodge the contaminant from the slider by performing modulation-based contact detection at a location of the medium where modulation-based contact detection can accurately detect head-medium contact. The controller is also configured to perform friction-based contact detection using the slider devoid of the contaminant.

A slider is configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording to a magnetic recording medium. A low- or non-modulation interface is defined between the slider and the medium. A contaminant is present on the slider and between the slider and the medium. A controller is configured to control the slider to dislodge the contaminant from the slider by performing modulation-based contact detection at a location of the medium where modulation-based contact detection can accurately detect head-medium contact. The controller is also configured to perform friction-based contact detection using the slider devoid of the contaminant.

A magnetic tape device includes a magnetic tape as a storage medium; a travel unit that moves the magnetic tape along a travel route; a magnetic head that is arranged at the travel route and performs data reading and writing for the magnetic tape that moves on the travel route; and a lifter unit that is arranged at the travel route and contacts the magnetic tape which is stopped on the travel route, where the lifter unit is able to reciprocate in a direction that intersects the travel route so as to separate the magnetic tape from the magnetic head.

A tape head writer yoke pole tip and a substrate ground plane are electrically coupled to the resistance measuring module. An electrically conductive wear layer is disposed over the pole tip and a ground plane at the tape bearing surface, forming a closed circuit. A magnetic tape is transported across the tape head and wears away the wear layer. The resistance measuring module identifies when the circuit becomes open, and an amount of tape travel until the open circuit occurred, and transmits this to a host computer for determination of a tape abrasivity measure as a function of the amount of tape travel. The write element can be used for write operations while the wear layer is present, and after the wear layer has been worn away.

A method involves forming a recording head that comprises a waveguide, a write pole, and a near-field transducer proximate the write pole. The near-field transducer has an extended portion extending towards a surface of the recording head and operable to direct plasmons to a recording medium. The surface of the recording head is lapped to form a lapped surface. A resist or hardmask is patterned on the lapped surface in a region that encompasses the extended portion. The lapped surface is etched with the resist or hardmask pattern to form a media-facing surface such that the extended portion protrudes beyond the media-facing surface by a first distance, and the resist or hardmask is removed.

A method involves forming a recording head that comprises a waveguide, a write pole, and a near-field transducer proximate the write pole. The near-field transducer has an extended portion extending towards a surface of the recording head and operable to direct plasmons to a recording medium. The surface of the recording head is lapped to form a lapped surface. A resist or hardmask is patterned on the lapped surface in a region that encompasses the extended portion. The lapped surface is etched with the resist or hardmask pattern to form a media-facing surface such that the extended portion protrudes beyond the media-facing surface by a first distance, and the resist or hardmask is removed.

A method of removing contamination from a magnetic recording head during contact detection, including the steps of setting a heat actuator at a first power level, dwelling at the first power level for a specified length of time, removing contamination from the head during the specified dwell time, oscillating the heat actuator from the first power level to a second level that is lower than the first level while detecting periodic contact between the head and an adjacent disk, calculating the amplitude of the detected periodic contact, and correlating the calculated amplitude to a clearance distance between the head and the disk.

A method of removing contamination from a magnetic recording head during contact detection, including the steps of setting a heat actuator at a first power level, dwelling at the first power level for a specified length of time, removing contamination from the head during the specified dwell time, oscillating the heat actuator from the first power level to a second level that is lower than the first level while detecting periodic contact between the head and an adjacent disk, calculating the amplitude of the detected periodic contact, and correlating the calculated amplitude to a clearance distance between the head and the disk.

In one general embodiment, a method includes forming a first magnetic layer, forming a tunnel barrier layer above the first magnetic layer, and forming a second magnetic layer above the tunnel barrier layer. The tunnel barrier layer includes crystalline alumina. The tunnel barrier layer is formed at a temperature of less than 100 degrees centigrade.

In one general embodiment, a method includes forming a first magnetic layer, forming a tunnel barrier layer above the first magnetic layer, and forming a second magnetic layer above the tunnel barrier layer. The tunnel barrier layer includes crystalline alumina. The tunnel barrier layer is formed at a temperature of less than 100 degrees centigrade.