Reducing flying height degradation due to track access acceleration acting on a magnetic head slider

Flying height fluctuations in a magnetic head slider were measured during track access using an optical interferometric technique. It was found that flying height of the front rail decreases while that of the rear rail increases due to acceleration during track access. Upon deceleration the situation is reversed. It is clear that flying height degradation is strongly influenced by deformation of the flexure element of a magnetic head suspension. An analytical model of the flying height degradation is presented to predict the flying height degradation for both Watrous and Winchester suspensions. By reducing installation angle of the flexure element, it is possible to reduce the flying height degradation. The flying height degradation can also be reduced by reducing slider mass and offset in the flexure mounting surface from the slider mass center and by increasing slider's air bearing stiffness.