Very thin head-tape spacing, combining contact and floating conditions
, is investigated for high density magnetic recording. A generalized l
ubrication equation, based on a linearized Boltzmann equation, is coup
led with the tape deformation equation for analysis. Tape-surface roug
hness is also taken into account in the lubrication equation. The aver
age flow model is adopted to analyzing tape-surface roughness. For ver
y thin spacing conditions, it is found that the spacing based on the l
inearized Boltzmann equation is smaller than that based on first-order
slip flow, and larger than that based on second-order slip flow. It i
s also found that considering tape-surface roughness reduces the calcu
lated minimum spacing. Analytical results agreed with the experimental
ones.