Abstract: An air bearing slider having reduced mask misalignment sensitivities. For one embodiment, the air bearing slider has three etch surfaces formed by a dual etch process. The leading and trailing step regions are formed by a first etching step. The lateral step regions, adjacent to the air bearing pads, are formed by a second etching step. The negative pressure region is formed by both the first and second etching steps.

Abstract: A method of degassing a disk drive component including heating the drive component to a temperature ranging from about 70.degree. C. to 250.degree. C.; subjecting the drive component to vacuum pressure during heating, the vacuum pressure having a first pressure and a second pressure; and monitoring the vacuum pressure to determine the level of degassing of the disk drive component.

Abstract: A resilient conductor having an outer flexible insulating coating and an inner flexible conducting core is employed in a drill string to maintain an electric circuit between a subsurface and surface location. The conductor is inserted in the drill string in a generally free-hanging, random fashion to store excess length of conductor which is utilized as the drill string is lengthened. The stored conductor can be maintained in the drill string in a generally untangled state due to its kink-resistant mechanical and physical properties. Moreover, the frictional drag of the flowing drilling fluid tends to straighten and disentangle the conductor.