Head/Tape Spacing Measurements for Digital Linear Tape Drives Using Three-Color Interferometry

Abstract

The spacing of the head/tape interface in a digital linear tape (DLT) drive was measured using replica glass heads and three-color interferometry. A modified load-unload method was used to calibrate the light intensity. Class heads with different island widths and zero and nine degree skew angle were used to investigate the effect of head contour on the head/tape spacing. In addition, thin and thick metal particle tapes were evaluated to study the effect of tape compliance, tape speed and tape tension. “Tape tenting” was observed for heads with a narrow center island.

Presented as a Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Paper at the STLE/ASME Tribology Conference in Orlando, Florida, October 11–13, 1999

KEY WORDS:

• Head/Medium Spacing
• Interferometry
• Magnetic Recording
• Tribology

Notes

Presented as a Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Paper at the STLE/ASME Tribology Conference in Orlando, Florida, October 11–13, 1999