Abstract: A device for accessing data stored on a medium includes a substrate that has a transducer on a back side, a bottom side facing the disc, and a surface that protrudes from the bottom side. An insulation layer is placed on top of the surface. An electrostatic actuator electrode is placed on top of the insulation layer. The electrostatic actuator electrode faces the medium across an electrostatically charged portion of an air layer. The electrostatic actuator electrode protrudes above the surface into the electrostatically charged portion of the air layer.

Abstract: A head slider that includes a substrate having a leading surface, a trailing surface, first and second side edges, a back surface and a disc-facing surface opposite the back surface is provided. The disc-facing surface includes a bearing plane and a recessed area recessed from the bearing plane. An end layer is attached to the trailing surface of the substrate. The end layer includes a bearing pad formed substantially solely on the end layer that is generally parallel to the bearing plane. The bearing pad is positioned adjacent to and rearward of the recessed area to receive fluid flow from the recessed area.

Abstract: A disc head slider includes a longitudinal axis, a recessed region, and first and second elongated rails extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and being disposed about the recessed region. Each rail forms a respective bearing surface. First and second elongated depressions extend along the first and second rails, respectively, and each has a depression floor which is recessed relative to the respective bearing surface. First and second convergent channels are recessed within the first and second rails, respectively, relative to the respective bearing surfaces, and include a leading channel end open to fluid flow from the first and second depressions, respectively, channel side walls and a trailing channel end closed to the fluid flow and positioned forward of a portion of the respective bearing surface.

Abstract: A head having micro-positioning control. The head includes a slider body and a transducer body coupled to the slider body through a flexible interface. The transducer body is spaced from the slider body to form a gap therebetween. Micro-positioning actuators are coupled to the transducer body in the gap to provide micro-positioning control. In an embodiment for an air bearing slider, the gap includes off-track and fly height positioning control.

Abstract: A method is used for fabricating sliders for use in a disc drive actuation system, the sliders having bonds pads formed on either a top surface or side faces of the slider. The method comprises providing a substrate having a top surface. Trenches are formed in the substrate and filled with a bond pad material to form slider bond pads. Excess bond pad material is removed from the trenches such that the slider bond pads are flush with the top surface of the substrate. A transducer is fabricated on the top surface of the substrate. Finally, the slider bond pads are exposed.

Abstract: A head for a disc drive and a method of making the head. The head includes a substrate with a trailing side and a first air bearing surface that generates lift. A magnetic transducer is deposited along the trailing side and has a pole tip that is spaced apart from a disc by a pole-to-disc spacing. The head also includes a deposit along the trailing side. The deposit includes a second air bearing surface that changes position relative to the first air bearing surface as temperature increases.

Abstract: A head slider is provided that includes a slider body having leading and trailing slider edges and first and second side edges. The body further includes an air bearing surface generally disposed within a bearing surface plane. A raised portion is positioned on the bearing surface plane and spaced apart from the leading edge. Also, a comb structure is provided having a plurality of raised protrusions positioned proximate and substantially parallel to the leading edge of the slider, wherein the plurality of raised protrusions form gaps throughout the leading edge.