Suspension damping

A dielectric layer configured to overlay a spring metal layer in a suspension assembly, the dielectric layer part of a flexure including a gimbal, a proximal end, and a distal end, the flexure having a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the gimbal includes a spring metal layer having a base portion, a tongue, and a pair of spring arms extending from the base portion to the tongue, the dielectric layer comprising:

• a tongue portion including a proximate end and a distal end;
• trace portions extending from the distal end of the tongue portion, the trace portions comprising a first plurality of traces and a second plurality of traces;
• and
• an aperture configured to be aligned with a void of the spring metal layer and defined by at least the proximate end of the tongue portion, the aperture includes an elongated opening with opposing ends and at least a first slit and second slit each extending less than a full-length from the aperture to the trace portions, the void formed in the spring metal layer between the tongue and the base portion and partially surrounding the tongue, the void includes a central opening with opposing ends, first and second channels extending from the opposing ends of the central opening, and
• the first plurality of traces and the second plurality of traces are configured to converge toward one another over the void to define a portion of the aperture, and wherein the first plurality of traces and the second plurality of traces are coupled via a bridge.

A flexure comprising:

• a gimbal, a proximal end, and a distal end, the flexure having a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the gimbal includes a spring metal layer including a base portion, a tongue, and a pair of spring arms extending from the base portion to the tongue, a dielectric layer overlaying the spring metal layer and a conductive metal layer overlying the dielectric layer, the conductive metal layer including a first plurality of traces extending from the base portion to the tongue and a second plurality of traces extending from the base portion to the tongue;
• a void formed in the spring metal layer between the tongue and the base portion and partially surrounding the tongue, the void includes a central opening with opposing ends, first and second channels extending from the opposing ends of the central opening, wherein the dielectric layer includes a tongue portion, trace portions, and an aperture aligned with the void and defined by the tongue portion and the trace portions,
• the tongue portion includes a proximate end and a distal end, the trace portions extending from the distal end of the tongue portion, and
• the aperture includes an elongated opening with opposing ends partially aligning with the central opening of the void, and a first slit and a second slit extending from the opposing ends of the elongated opening, and
• the first plurality of traces and the second plurality of traces extend from the base portion and converge toward one another over the void, and wherein the first plurality of traces and the second plurality of traces are coupled via a bridge.