HEAD SUSPENSION FOR DISK-BASED DATA STORAGE APPARATUS

摘要

PURPOSE: A head suspension for a disk-based data storage apparatus is provided to easily control the gap between a read-write head and a disk by detecting the temperature of air gap between the disk and read-write head. CONSTITUTION: A head suspension for measuring a gap between a read-write head and a data storage disk, comprises: a heater for heating gas in the gap in order to make a thermal conductance measurement; and sensors(90-140) for generating an output during the measurement of the thermal conductance across the gap. The output is indicative of the thickness of the gap. The heater is integral to the sensor. The sensor comprises a bar of silicon. The heater comprises a narrowed portion of the bar of silicon. The narrowed portion comprises a doped region.