To achieve ultra-low flying height, we have developed a thermal flying-height control (TFC) slider that carries a micro-thermal actuator. Figure 1 illustrates the concept of TFC. Using the actuator, the magnetic spacing of these sliders can be controlled in-situ while the drive is operating. The previous component-level prototype had insufficient actuator characteristics [1]. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to improve the actuator characteristics and to verify the drive-level feasibility of TFC technology.
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