The invention generally relates to hard disk drives with a disk and a read/write head, and methods for preventing contact between the disk and the read/write head. The hard disk drive includes a z-axis actuator configured to control movement of the read/write head, and to prevent contact between the read/write head and the disk, based on signals from a controller that indicate when the distance between the read/write head and the disk are outside a predetermined range, such as between 0 and 10.0 nm.

The invention generally relates to hard disk drives with a disk and a read/write head, and methods for preventing contact between the disk and the read/write head. The hard disk drive includes a z-axis actuator configured to control movement of the read/write head, and to prevent contact between the read/write head and the disk, based on signals from a controller that indicate when the distance between the read/write head and the disk are outside a predetermined range, such as between 0 and 10.0 nm.

A flexure includes a metal base, a circuit member, and an actuator. The circuit member includes a base insulating layer, a conductor layer, and a cover insulating layer. The conductor layer includes a second pad, and a reference hole, which is an example of a portion to be protected, in a tongue portion. A second end portion of the actuator is fixed to the second pad via an adhesive. The circuit member includes a wall portion. The wall portion is formed between the second pad and the reference hole. A height of the wall portion is greater than a height of the second pad.

A flexure includes a metal base, a circuit member, and an actuator. The circuit member includes a base insulating layer, a conductor layer, and a cover insulating layer. The conductor layer includes a second pad, and a reference hole, which is an example of a portion to be protected, in a tongue portion. A second end portion of the actuator is fixed to the second pad via an adhesive. The circuit member includes a wall portion. The wall portion is formed between the second pad and the reference hole. A height of the wall portion is greater than a height of the second pad.

The invention generally relates to hard disk drives with a disk and a read/write head, and methods for preventing contact between the disk and the read/write head. The hard disk drive includes a z-axis actuator configured to control movement of the read/write head, and to prevent contact between the read/write head and the disk, based on signals from a controller that indicate when the distance between the read/write head and the disk are outside a predetermined range, such as between 0 and 10.0 nm.

The invention generally relates to hard disk drives with a disk and a read/write head, and methods for preventing contact between the disk and the read/write head. The hard disk drive includes a z-axis actuator configured to control movement of the read/write head, and to prevent contact between the read/write head and the disk, based on signals from a controller that indicate when the distance between the read/write head and the disk are outside a predetermined range, such as between 0 and 10.0 nm.

An apparatus comprises a slider configured for writing data to and reading data from a magnetic recording medium and for heat-assisted magnetic recording. The slider comprises a heater configured to receive an AC signal and to cause oscillation in a spacing between the slider and the medium, and a contact sensor situated on the slider and configured to produce a DC response signal. A detector is coupled to the slider and configured to measure an amplitude of a spike in the DC response signal, calculate a ratio between the spike amplitude and an amplitude of the DC response signal, and detect contact between the slider and the medium in response to the ratio exceeding a predetermined threshold.

An apparatus comprises a slider configured for writing data to and reading data from a magnetic recording medium and for heat-assisted magnetic recording. The slider comprises a heater configured to receive an AC signal and to cause oscillation in a spacing between the slider and the medium, and a contact sensor situated on the slider and configured to produce a DC response signal. A detector is coupled to the slider and configured to measure an amplitude of a spike in the DC response signal, calculate a ratio between the spike amplitude and an amplitude of the DC response signal, and detect contact between the slider and the medium in response to the ratio exceeding a predetermined threshold.

A slider design for a hard disk drive (HDD) features an air-bearing surface (ABS) topography with soft bumper pads (SBP) formed proximally to corners of the leading edge and the trailing edge. The bumper pads are formed by a process that combines the use of a first photomask for subtractive etching of the ABS to form pedestals, followed by additive depositions onto the pedestals using a second lift-off photomask. The additive process deposits sequences of Si layers and diamond-like carbon (DLC) layers to produce a soft bumper pad that is energy absorbing and heat conducting, thereby protecting the recording media from surface damage and thermal erasures.

A slider design for a hard disk drive (HDD) features an air-bearing surface (ABS) topography with soft bumper pads (SBP) formed proximally to corners of the leading edge and the trailing edge. The bumper pads are formed by a process that combines the use of a first photomask for subtractive etching of the ABS to form pedestals, followed by additive depositions onto the pedestals using a second lift-off photomask. The additive process deposits sequences of Si layers and diamond-like carbon (DLC) layers to produce a soft bumper pad that is energy absorbing and heat conducting, thereby protecting the recording media from surface damage and thermal erasures.