Simulation of gas filled head-disk interface for future extremely high density magnetic recording

Abstract

When a Hard Disk is operating, the spinning platters generate air flow. The Air Bearing Surface(ABS) of the slider is specially designed to allow the slider to glide on a thin film of air as close to the platter’s surface as possible. To meet the demand of consumer for an increased storage capacity, the bits on the platters needs to be made smaller. As the bits are smaller, the read/write heads need to be flying very close to the surface of the platters. With an ultra low flying height, the risk of the head colliding with the platter becomes very high. Therefore a good ABS is needed to maintain stable flying characteristics. In this project, the in house software used, ABSolution is developed by Data Storage Institute. The scope of this final year project is to the study the effect of various inert gases such as Argon, Neon, Helium and Hydrogen on the flying characteristic of the slider. In addition, mixtures of the gases are also studied and tell how the mixtures of gases will further improve the flying height in the slider. ABSolution software is used to simulate the slider flying characteristic at inert gas filled Head Disk Interface. As the use of inert gases requires the hard disk enclosure to be sealed, both open and sealed case scenario are done in simulation. This report will also elaborate on the basic operating principles of a Hard Disk Drive's mechanisms.