A method of forming a read head. The method includes forming first and second read sensors. A first read measurement is performed on a storage medium using the first read sensor. A second read measurement is performed on the storage medium using the second read sensor. Based on a comparison of the first and second read measurements to a predetermined quantity, either the first read sensor or the second read sensor is selected to be operational in a data storage device.

A head suspension assembly for testing a slider. The head suspension assembly includes a load beam assembly and a gimbal coupled to the load beam assembly. A clamp is coupled to the gimbal. The clamp is configured to releasably secure a slider in the head suspension assembly. The clamp includes an alignment feature for positioning the slider in the head suspension assembly.

A head suspension assembly for testing a slider. The head suspension assembly includes a load beam assembly and a gimbal coupled to the load beam assembly. A clamp is coupled to the gimbal. The clamp is configured to releasably secure a slider in the head suspension assembly. The clamp includes an alignment feature for positioning the slider in the head suspension assembly.

The present disclosure involves a row bar that includes a plurality of slider bodies to be lapped. At least one slider body includes at least a first row of a plurality of electrical contact pads; and a second row of a plurality of electrical contact pads. The first row of electrical contact pads extends along the cross-track direction at a first position in a lapping direction. The second row of electrical contact pads extends along the cross-track direction at a second position in the lapping direction. The second row of electrical contact pads are electrically isolated from ground. The present disclosure also involves related methods of locating electrical contact pads on a slider body.

A computer-implemented method for screening a multichannel head, according to one embodiment, includes measuring a channel signal to noise ratio value for each read transducer over a plurality of sense currents, wherein each transducer is one of a plurality of transducers in a multichannel head. The measured channel signal to noise ratio values are compared to a specification of a pre-defined value. The multichannel head is dispositioned to enable the multichannel head to perform to the specification of the pre-defined value, if possible.

A method of forming a read head. The method includes forming first and second read sensors that are substantially trapezoidal in shape. A first read measurement is performed on a storage medium using the first read sensor. A second read measurement is performed on the storage medium using the second read sensor. Based on a comparison of the first and second read measurements to a predetermined quantity, either the first read sensor or the second read sensor is selected to be operational in a data storage device.

A method of forming a read head. The method includes forming first and second read sensors that are substantially trapezoidal in shape. A first read measurement is performed on a storage medium using the first read sensor. A second read measurement is performed on the storage medium using the second read sensor. Based on a comparison of the first and second read measurements to a predetermined quantity, either the first read sensor or the second read sensor is selected to be operational in a data storage device.

A method of forming a read head. The method includes forming first and second read sensors. A first read measurement is performed on a storage medium using the first read sensor. A second read measurement is performed on the storage medium using the second read sensor. Based on a comparison of the first and second read measurements to a predetermined quantity, either the first read sensor or the second read sensor is selected to be operational in a data storage device.

A change in an optical energy profile of energy emitted from a read/write head is determined. The read/write head includes an optical transmission path that emits the energy to heat a heat-assisted recording medium during writing. A change in optical efficiency of the read/write head is also determined. Based on the change in the optical energy profile and the change in the optical efficiency, a change in the effectiveness of the read/write head is determined, and in response a mitigation is performed.