Lubricant Dynamics in the Sub-Nanometer Clearance Regime

Abstract

This paper reviews the present state of understanding of lubricant-slider interactions in a rigid disk drive. As slider flying heights are rapidly approaching the intrinsic limit of a disk topography (1-3 nm), it has become apparent that disk-slider clearance of less than a nanometer can be achieved, at least on a laboratory setup. We will discuss the implication of such low spacing on the lubricant film behavior, and provide general physical arguments that attempt to highlight lubricant attributes that are relevant under those clearance conditions.