Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for fly height testing using light emitting diodes

US6624892B1 · kind B1 · utility

5Cited by
10References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 11, 2001
Grant dateSep 23, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 11, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01B11/14
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and fly-height tester include a moving medium and a slider mount that holds a slider in proximity with the medium so that the slider flies relative to the medium. At least one light emitting diode generates a light that is directed by optics so that it reflects off the medium and the slider. The reflected light is directed by second optics to at least one detector, where each detector is capable of generating an electrical signal based on the amplitude of at least one wavelength of light in the reflected light. A distance calculator then determines the distance from the slider to the medium based on the at least one electrical signal.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.