Method for detection of slider-disk contact

摘要

A method for testing slider/disk contact in a disk drive is described. The disk drive comprises a rotating disk having tracks and a head mounted by an actuator for selective positioning of the head over any one of the tracks of the disk. The head includes a slider. The method comprises the steps of positioning the head at each of a preselected set of tracks, while at each one of the preselected set of tracks, rotating the disk of the disk drive at a preselected rotational velocity and using the head of the disk drive, at each track, to write a signal having a substantially uniform pattern on the disk as it rotates. Thereafter, rotating the disk at a fixed preselected rotational velocity, and while rotating at the fixed preselected rotational velocity, using the head to read back the signals written at each one of the preselected set of tracks. The read back signals are used to determine rotational velocities at which slider/disk contact occurs.