Asperity and head-media contact detection using multi-stage temperature coefficient of resistance sensor

摘要

A multi-stage sensor is situated on the head transducer and configured to interact with a magnetic recording medium. A first sensor stage of the multi-stage sensor has a temperature coefficient of resistance. A second sensor stage of the multi-stage sensor is coupled to the first sensor and has a temperature coefficient of resistance. The first sensor stage is configured to preferentially sense asperities of the media relative to the second sensor stage, and the second sensor stage configured to preferentially sense proximity to, and contact with, a surface of the media relative to the first sensor stage. The first and second sensor stages may be connected in series or in parallel.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a slider supporting a transducer configured to interact with a magnetic recording medium, the slider comprising an airbearing surface having an actuatable close point; and a sensor at or near the close point, the sensor comprising:
a first resistive temperature sensor; anda second resistive temperature sensor coupled to the first sensor; the first sensor configured to preferentially sense asperities of the medium relative to the second sensor; and the second sensor configured to preferentially sense contact with a surface of the medium relative to the first sensor.