Investigation of slider dynamics and tribology of the head -disk interface

Investigation of slider dynamics are presented. The effect of lubricant thickness on slider vibrations was studied. Experimental measurements of lubricant mobility were carried out. Parametric system identification methods were employed to develop a linear time-invarient model of slider response. The model was used to characterize slider air-bearing properties like damping ratio and resonant frequencies. Joint time-frequency presentation was used to identify instantaneous frequencies during slider disk contact. The effects of intermolecular forces on the slider dynamics was also investigated. A model of the slider response involving non-linear air-bearing stiffness and intermolecular forces was developed. The model was used to simulate the flying characteristics of proximity sliders. Experimental evaluation of tribological and read-write performance of textured sliders is also presented.