System for controlling contact location during TFC touchdown and methods thereof
US8149541B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 17, 2008 |
| Grant date | Apr 3, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 8, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B5/6064
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system according to one embodiment includes a thin film stack having a magnetic transducer and a contact pad; and a heater in the thin film stack for inducing thermal protrusion of a media-facing side of the thin film stack, wherein the thin film stack is characterized by the contact pad protruding farther than the magnetic transducer upon the thin film stack being heated by the heater. A method for calibrating a protrusion of a magnetic head includes increasing a thermal protrusion of a magnetic head to induce head-medium contact; determining that the head has contacted the medium, wherein a portion of the head that contacts the medium is a contact pad or overcoat of the contact pad; determining parameters for inducing a desired amount of protrusion based in part on the determination that the head has contacted the medium; and storing the parameters.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.