Flying height-attitude tester: a novel technique for slider-lube-disk interaction study

Nowadays, slider flies lower and lower with the increase in recording density. Slider flying instability caused by slider-lube-disk interactions is becoming a big concern. So far, the techniques commonly used to study slider-lube-disk interaction include laser Doppler vibrometer, acoustic emission, optical surface analyzer, and others. However, each technique has its own limitations. About three years ago we proposed and developed a novel flying height-attitude testing (3D) system. Dynamic flying heights at three desired points on slider surface can be determined simultaneously with this system based on white light interference. In this work, the 3D system was employed to study slider-lube-disk interaction the first time. It is proved that the 3D system is a very powerful technique for the application.