Read head with N-cycle switch for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection

摘要

A read head is provided with an N-cycle switch for sequentially shorting and unshorting a sense current circuit of a read head so that the read head will be protected from electrostatic discharges (ESDs) by shorting when the read head is not being tested and unshorted during tests of the read head. The shorting and unshorting switches, which are mounted on or in a slider carrying the read head, are activated by a laser beam.