This paper reviews the state of the head-disk interface (HDI) technology, and more particularly the head-medium spacing (HMS),\r\nfor todayââ?¬â?¢s and future hard-disk drives. Current storage areal density on a disk surface is fast approaching the one terabit per square\r\ninch mark, although the compound annual growth rate has reduced considerably from ~100%/annum in the late 1990s to 20ââ?¬â??30%\r\ntoday. This rate is now lower than the historical,Mooreââ?¬â?¢s law equivalent of ~40%/annum. A necessary enabler to a high areal density\r\nis theHMS, or the distance fromthe bottomof the read sensor on the flying head to the top of themagneticmediumon the rotating\r\ndisk. This paper describes the various components of the HMS and various scenarios and challenges on how to achieve a goal of\r\n4.0ââ?¬â??4.5nm for the 4 Tbit/in2 density point. Special considerations will also be given to the implication of disruptive technologies\r\nsuch as sealing the drive in an inert atmosphere and novel recording schemes such as bit patternedmedia and heat assisted magnetic\r\nrecording.
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