A stiction model for a head-disk interface of a rigid disk drive

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Abstract
A theoretical stiction model for a head–disk interface has been developed that takes into account local redistribution of lubricant due to the competition between the capillary pressure inside a meniscus and the disjoining pressure outside the meniscus. Equations for calculating meniscus force and resulting stiction have been obtained for various contacting geometries and lubrication states. The model has been applied to study the effects of disk variables on stiction. Two categories of texture are considered: One has a uniform asperity height (the regular texture) and the other has a Gaussian asperity height distribution (the random texture). The relationship between stiction and the real area of contact is found to be nonmonotonic. The minimum stiction is predicted to occur at intermediate values of the real area of contact. The model also predicts a complicated interdependence between roughness parameters and their role on stiction. The role of lubricant and overcoat on stiction is also considered. Not only the lubricant film thickness, but also the physical and chemical properties of both lubricant and overcoat, as well as the interactions between them, are found to be crucial in determining stiction.