Development of evaluation method of gas viscous friction force acting on head/disk interface

A method of evaluating the gas viscous friction force acting on head/disk i nterface has been developed. In the past, the effect of the gas viscous fri ction force has been almost negligible, due to its small value compared wit h the contact friction force. Recently the gas viscous friction force has t ended to increase with the decrease in spacing and the increase in relative speed between the slider and the disk, therefore it is becoming necessary to consider its effect on motor load or slider posture. Few experimental st udies of the gas viscous friction force, however, have been performed. In t his study, the measurement of the gas viscous friction force has been reali zed by developing a sensitive friction force sensor. Furthermore a method o f evaluating the gas viscous and contact friction forces separately has bee n also established.