In a first aspect, a disk drive includes a base and a disk assembly, including
at least one data storage disk, rotatably mounted on the base. The disk drive further
includes structure for defining an electrostatic discharge gap between the base
and the disk assembly. For example, one or more point electrodes may be provided
on the disk assembly, to define the electrostatic discharge gap relative to one
or more stationary electrodes mounted on the base. Damaging electrostatic discharges
through the read/write head, or at a surface of the data storage disk, may be prevented
by the present invention.
