In-situ spin stand ESD testing of giant magnetoresistive (GMR) recording heads

An experimental set-up for automated in-situ ESD testing of giant magnetoresistive (GMR) heads flying on a spin stand is described. The effects of human body model (HBM) ESD current transients on three different GMR head designs are reported. Results show that exposure to HBM ESD can seriously degrade the quality and shape of the cross-track profiles. Magnetic instability was also seen to increase with increasing ESD damage. It is concluded that ESD damage results in serious and undesirable changes in the micromagnetic response of GMR sensors and can result in increased magnetic instability.