Time-Frequency Analysis of Slider Dynamics and the Effect of Lubricant

The dynamics of pico sliders is investigated during scratch impact using laser Doppler vibrometry. Airbearing frequencies and damping of the pitch frequency are studied as a function of disk velocity for lubricant thickness values of 1.6nm, 1.0nm and 2.0nm. In addition, time-frequency analysis is used to study transient events during slider-scratch impact. The results indicate that the slider dynamics is not only a function of the design of the air-bearing, but also of the velocity and the characteristics of the lubricant film thickness on the disk surface.