Unshielded capacitor probe technique for determining disk memory ceramic slider flying characteristics

Small (0.025-in diameter) capacitor probes mounted without shield rings in ceramic air-bearing sliders enable dynamic flying height measurements to be obtained in the 40- to 200-μin range for flying over aluminum disks protected with thin epoxy coatings. An absolute precision of 4 percent and a relative precision of better than 1 percent is realizable at a 60 μ,in height. Three probes per slider, monitored simultaneously, yield roll and pitch angle information in addition to height data. The measured height and pitch angle time-average values agree with those computed using Reynolds equation. Experimental calibration of the probes is in satisfactory agreement with a conformal-transform computed calibration. The probe technique has led to the development of a stable-flying slider of apertureless rectangular design.