Alumina recession determination using a flying height tester

摘要

A method for measuring a surface recession of a magnetic recording head using a flying height tester. The recording head has a trailing edge portion that extends from an air bearing surface. The trailing edge portion contains the read/write elements of the recording head. Manufacturing processes typically create a recession in the trailing edge portion. The recession is measured by placing the slider adjacent to a rotating transparent substrate of a flying height tester. A light beam is then directed through the substrate and reflected off of the slider. The reflected light beam is detected to compute a flying height between the substrate and the point of reflection on the slider. The light beam is reflected off various points on the air bearing surface and the trailing edge portion to measure a number of different flying heights. The various flying heights are then used to compute the recession in the slider.