AVS 46th International Symposium
    The Science of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems Topical Conference Monday Sessions
       Session AS+MI+VM-MoM

Invited Paper AS+MI+VM-MoM1
Disk Drive Chemical Integration: Influence of Outgassing on Stiction

Monday, October 25, 1999, 8:20 am, Room 610

Session: Magnetic Recording: Chemical Integration and Tribology
Presenter: D.E. Fowler, Maxtor Corporation
Authors: D.E. Fowler, Maxtor Corporation
R.H. Geiss, Maxtor Corporation
E. Ghelichkhani, Maxtor Corporation
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Beyond optimizing the magnetic read/write sensor and the magnetic storage media, the successful introduction of a new disk drive product requires the integration of the best electronics and a great mechanical design to surround this magnetic interface. However, all of this effort will be for naught, if the disk drive cannot spin-up because the interface is stuck together or if contamination at the interface causes the sensor-to-media spacing to be a few nanometers greater than the designed fly height. Failure to spin-up can be the result of stiction and, in some cases, a phenomenon called fly stiction. We briefly discuss the distinguishing physical features of stiction induced by the disk lubricant as compared to stiction induced by in-drive outgassing, before focussing on outgassing-induced fly stiction. Various analytical methods have been used to identify the important outgassing sources and materials within the drive. The formation of liquid droplets on the read/write sensor during drive operation has been documented as an important contributor to increased stiction of the sensor-to-media interface following a period of nonoperation. We describe a real time visualization setup which monitors these processes in experimental, but fully functioning disk drives. This offers the opportunity to study the phenomenon and the mechanisms of fly stiction in a realistic drive environment. Results of these visualization experiments are presented. The goal of these studies is to develop a low-stiction interface through the optimization of the chemical integration of the drive. This allows the high-performance magnetic interface to function according to its design.