Comparison of the Phase Metrics DFHT IV and Zygo Pegasus 2000 Fly Height Testers

The performance of the Phase Metrics DFHT IV (DFHT) fly height tester was compared with the performance of the Zygo Pegasus 2000 (P2000) fly height tester. The testers showed comparable repeatabilities (0.25 nm for the DFHT and 0.30 nm for the P2000) and correlated well at all points except at the center rail trailing edge. The DFHT had a measurement uncertainty of 0.76 nm at a fly height of 25 nm and 0.35 nm near contact. Similarly the P2000 exhibited an uncertainty of 1 nm at 25 nm and 0.5 nm at contact. The measurement uncertainty of the DFHT is due to calibration at a location different from the measurement location; for the P2000, it is primarily due to residual uncertainty in the correction for stress-induced birefringence in the test disk. The P2000 did not recognize the presence of small diamondlike carbon bumps on the air bearing surface. There was a consistent 3-nm absolute offset between the fly height measurements of the two testers. Neither tester possessed a clear advantage over the other in the approaching era of near-contact recording.