Wear measurements of diamond-like carbon coated proximity recording sliders using Raman spectroscopy

The wear behavior of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coated sliders for proximity recording is investigated as a function of sliding distance, spindle speed and slider "interference height" using Raman spectroscopy. Both constant s peed drug tests simulating track following and "slew" tests simulating trac k seeking were performed. The results indicate that track seeking increases the wear rate of DLC coated sliders dramatically during the first stages o f a seek test. The results also show that wear of the DLC layer depends str ongly on sliding distance and interference height of the slider.