The present disclosure relates to a method the present disclosure relates to an active pixel sensor having a gate dielectric protection layer that reduces damage to an underlying gate dielectric layer during fabrication, and an associated method of formation. A grooved pattern of a design similar to that usually found on a thrust plate is defined on an axial end surface of the shaft or the counterplate facing the axial end of the shaft, so that thrust is created to maintain separation of the end of the shaft and the facing thrust plate during relative rotation. A volatile memory is configured to execute the execution image.