Patent · US Active

Contact detection using laser modulation

US9202499B2 · kind B2 · utility

27Cited by
22References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 13, 2013
Grant dateDec 1, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 21, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11B2005/0021
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus is arranged to detect contact between an air bearing surface of a transducer and a medium using a modulated thermal sensor signal. A laser source produces modulated laser light. A thermal sensor is disposed at or near the air bearing surface and is subject to cyclic heating by the modulated laser light. The thermal sensor is configured to produce the modulated sensor signal in response to the cyclic heating.

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