Head slap characterization using optical surface analyzer

A system for characterizing damage caused to a magnetic recording media on a surface of a data storage disc during a head slap event, the system comprising:

• an optical analyzer module comprising:
• a spindle, wherein the data storage disc is coupled to and spun on the spindle;
• at least one laser beam directed at the surface of the data storage disc;
• and
• at least one sensor operable to receive reflected light from the at least one laser beam reflecting from the surface of the data storage disc and sense changes in a direction of the reflected light;
• a data storage module operably coupled to the optical analyzer module for storing a plurality of data points generated by the optical analyzer module, the plurality of data points quantifying the changes in the direction of the at least one light beam;
• and
• a processing module coupled to the optical analyzer module and the data storage module operable to manipulate the plurality of data points to qualitatively and quantitatively represent the damage caused during the head slap event to the magnetic recording media on the surface of the data storage disc.

A method of detecting damage to a magnetic recording media on a data storage disc caused by a head slap event in a disc drive, the method comprising steps of:

• (a) spinning a data storage disc having magnetic recording media on a surface of the storage disc, wherein the disc has previously been subjected to a head slap event in a disc drive;
• (b) scanning the surface of the spinning data storage disc using an optical analyzer laser beam;
• (c) sensing changes in a reflected light beam created by the laser beam reflecting from the surface of the spinning data storage disc;
• (d) acquiring a plurality of data points corresponding to the changes in the reflected light beam;
• and
• (e) characterizing the damage caused by the head slap event to the magnetic recording media on the surface of the spinning data storage disc based on the plurality of data points.

A system for characterizing damage to a magnetic recording media on a surface of a magnetic data storage disc during a head slap event in a magnetic data storage disc drive, the system comprising:

• an optical analyzer module comprising:
• a spindle adapted to be coupled to a magnetic data storage disc and the disc spun on the spindle, wherein the disc has been subjected to a head slap event in a magnetic data storage disc drive;
• at least one laser beam operable to be directed at a surface of the magnetic data storage disc when the disc is spun on the spindle;
• and
• at least one sensor operable to receive reflected light from the at least one laser beam reflecting from the surface of the magnetic data storage disc and sense changes in a direction of the reflected light;
• a data storage module operably coupled to the optical analyzer module for storing a plurality of data points generated by the optical analyzer module, the plurality of data points quantifying the changes in the direction of the at least one laser beam;
• and
• a processing module coupled to the optical analyzer module and the data storage module operable to manipulate the plurality of data points to qualitatively and quantitatively represent damage caused during the head slap event to the magnetic recording media on the surface of the magnetic data storage disc.