Effect of slot edge defects on the head/tape spacing

The effect of slot edge defects on the performance of the head/tape interface is studied for single and double module heads. A number of typical edge defects was created artificially on a glass replica of an actual head, and three-wavelength interferometry was used to study spacing changes caused by these defects. The results show that head edge defects have a small influence on the flying behavior of tape with the effects being localized to the immediate defect area.