An Active Flying Slider for Magneto-Optic Disk Focusing

Low mass flying heads for magneto-optic recording would yield fast access times. A design concept for such a head was proposed and computer modeling of its flying characteristics were conducted. Calculations indicated that the head (slider) will follow low frequency undulations the disk (resulting from disk run-out and disk warp) to within one depth of focus of the read/write beam. Thus the illuminating laser spot would be kept in focus in the presence of low frequency asperities, without the aid of extraneous focusing gear. However, the major advantage of magneto-optic disk storage is disk removability. Therefore, the presence of high frequency asperities such as dust particles is quite possible. An active slider which has adjustable flying characteristics was designed in order to meet this high frequency focusing demand without the assistance of conventional electro-magnetic focusing gear. Sliders were micro-machined from silicon, and were actuated both using plate type piezoelectric actuators and bimorph style actuators. Preliminary testing of the devices were conducted to ascertain the feasibility of this design.