Skip to main content

Application of SPM for the Analysis of Microcracks of Thin-Film Head Alumina

  • Chapter
  • 373 Accesses

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((NSSE,volume 330))

Abstract

In the low flying height magnetic disk drive, where the head is flying just 20–30 nm above the rotating disk surface, the possibility of mechanical damage to the head significantly increases. In fact, chipping and microcracks of the alumina of the thin-film head is a frequently encountered problem. The complex layered structure of the thin-film head contains many materials and interfaces. Interaction with the disk surface and thermal expansion of the head materials causes high mechanical stresses in the head alumina, which may result in a crack initiation and growth.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. B. Bhushan and G.S. Blackman (1991) Atomic force microscopy of magnetic rigid disks and sliders and its application to tribology, Journ. of Tribology, 113, pp. 452–457.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. M. Yang and F. Talke (1993) Surface Roughness Investigation of Magnetic Recording Disks Using STM and Profilometry Measurements, Wear, 170, pp. 15–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. P. Gutter, D. Rugar and H.J. Mamin (1992) Magnetic force microscopy of magnetic materials, Ultramicroscopy, 47, pp. 393–399.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. A.S. Chekanov, T.S. Low, S. Alli, B. Liu, B.S. Teo, S. Hu (1995) Microcracks of the Alumina of the Thin-Film Head: Study and Simulation, IEEE Tram. Mag. 31, n6, 1995, pp. 2991–2993

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  5. A.S. Chekanov, T.S. Low, S. Alli (1996) Microcracks of the Thin-Film Head Alumina: “L”-cracks and “U”-cracks, IEEE Trots. Mag. to be published

    Google Scholar 

  6. A. Briggs (1992) Acoustic Microscopy, Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  7. O.V. Kolosov, K. Yamanaka, Jap. J. Appt. Phys. Lett., 32, 1993, pp. L1095–L1098.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1997 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Chekanov, A.S., Alli, S., Kolosov, O. (1997). Application of SPM for the Analysis of Microcracks of Thin-Film Head Alumina. In: Bhushan, B. (eds) Micro/Nanotribology and Its Applications. NATO ASI Series, vol 330. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5646-2_46

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5646-2_46

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6381-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-5646-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics