ESD damage by directly arcing to a MR head

摘要

Direct arcing to a MR head occurs when the electric field exceeds the dielectric strength of insulating materia. It usually occurs on the airbeearing surface. It can not be prevented by shunting, in-sulating or grounding the leads. The most effective solution is to reduce the field strength near the MR head. Two examples from headway manufacturing experience are described. In the first case a galss disk is charged by rubbing with the slider. The charged disk causes arching between the MR head and a magnetic shield. In the second case a high-voltage electrode for gold-ball-bond arcs accidentally to the MR head. Symptom, mechanism of arcing, and the solutions are described.