Readout signal evaluation of optical flying head slider with visible light-wave guide flexure

Abstract The need for both higher recording density and faster transfer rates continues to propel the research and development of high-performance storage equipment. The optical first-surface recording method promises to overcome tough optical diffraction limits and/or wavelength-shortening limits. We have already proposed a novel compact optical head suspension assembly combining a flying optical slider with a resin-based flexible light-wave guide flexure, and we have confirmed this assembly's stable flying performance during head-arm out-of-plane disturbances. Following this technical progress, we here describe the successful detection of optical signals of sub-micron-size bits by flying this slider above a metal patterned medium through spacing of several tens of nanometers. Signal amplitude dependencies upon both bit pattern lengths and spacings are evaluated in detail, and it is predicted that sub-micron-long and -wide bit will be able to detect increasing the incident laser power up to its maximum value of several mW in our system.