• Transactions of the Society of Information Storage Systems
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.184-188
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• 2006

In recent years the flying height of the head/slider has been decreasing in order to increase the recording density of hard disk drive (HDD). Accordingly, it was predicted that direct contact between slider and disk surface (slider slap) can cause defects on the disk such as scratch and particle generation. In this work, we theoretically demonstrate the effect of rounded-edge slider using Hertzian contact theory. Depth and width of scratch were predicted by plowing model. Furthermore, as we fabricated rounded-edge slider, rounded-edge slider was tested and compared with sharp-edge slider. The experimental results show rounded-edge was effective for reducing scratch depth.

• Transactions of the Society of Information Storage Systems
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.81-85
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• 2007

Reliability of a hard disk drive depends on the head disk interface (HDI) characteristics. Particularly, the disk media and the head can be damaged due to contact between the two components during operation. The contact may occur due to particles being introduced into the disk/slider interface or due to direct contact between the slider and the disk. Such contacts may be induced by external vibration or abnormal operation of the HDI. In this work the characteristics of scratches generated on the disk surface were investigated. The scratches were generated by impacting the hard disk. The type of scratches was analyzed with respect to their shape and dimensions.