초록 ▼

An apparatus and method for evaluating surface characteristics of a recording disc prior to incorporation into a disc drive. A glide test system includes a glide test head supportable over the disc, the glide test head having a negative-pressure air bearing slider and a contact sensor which outputs

An apparatus and method for evaluating surface characteristics of a recording disc prior to incorporation into a disc drive. A glide test system includes a glide test head supportable over the disc, the glide test head having a negative-pressure air bearing slider and a contact sensor which outputs a signal when the glide test head contacts a feature of the disc surface. The glide test head and the disc are characterized as opposing plates of a variable capacitor with a dielectric layer therebetween including at least a layer of air supporting the glide test head. A voltage source, operably coupled to the glide test head and the disc, applies a fly height control voltage across the capacitor to adjust the fly height of the glide test head. The disc surface preferably comprises a data region configured to magnetically store data as the disc is rotated and a texturized landing zone configured to support the disc drive read/write head when the disc is stopped. The voltage source accordingly applies a first fly height control voltage to maintain the glide test head at a first glide distance over the data region and a second fly height control voltage to maintain the glide test head at a second, greater glide distance over the landing zone.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for testing height characteristics of a recordable disc surface, comprising:a glide test head supportable over the disc surface comprising a negative-pressure air bearing slider to maintain the glide test head at a nominal distance over the disc surface in relation to a selected line

1. An apparatus for testing height characteristics of a recordable disc surface, comprising:a glide test head supportable over the disc surface comprising a negative-pressure air bearing slider to maintain the glide test head at a nominal distance over the disc surface in relation to a selected linear velocity of the disc and a contact sensor which outputs a signal when the glide test head contacts a feature of the disc surface; and fly height displacement means electrically charging the glide test head across a layer of air supporting the glide test head with respect to the disc surface so that the glide test head flies at a distance other than the nominal distance while the disc remains at the selected linear velocity.