Abstract: Employed is a structure for moving by a micro-actuator not a read/write element but an air-bearing surface pad. The air-bearing surface pad is arranged nearer to the leading end than the read/write element. This arrangement allows the read/write element portion to have a sufficient size, making it possible to mount the currently used read/write element and associated wiring structure. The individual adjustment of a flying height leads to the increased recording density. Moving the read/write element away from the disk during loading/unloading operations can enhance reliability.

Abstract: A magnetic head slider mounted on a magnetic disk unit for supporting a magnetic head that writes and reads information to and from a magnetic disk is constructed such that a depth &dgr;s1 from the surfaces of leading and trailing pads, which come into contact with a medium surface when the disk is at rest, to stepped surfaces formed on the air inflow side of the leading pads, a depth &dgr;s2 from the contact surfaces to stepped surfaces formed on the air inflow side of the trailing pad and a step depth &dgr;s3 from the contact surfaces to the surfaces of side rails are in a relation of &dgr;s1≦&dgr;s2≦&dgr;s3. With this arrangement, the slider can follow the waved medium surface at a low flying height with a small flying height fluctuation, thus realizing high density recording, high reliability and reduced cost of the magnetic disk unit.

Abstract: A head element is made into contact with the surface of a recording medium so as to realize a float-up degree of 5 nm. Accordingly, a slider incorporating the head element for recording and reproducing data to and from the recording medium is provided thereon with a plurality of pads having step parts, and one of the plurality of pads, on which the head element is mounted, has a height which is less than that of the other pads. Thus, the pads other than the pad on which the head element is mounted are floated up while the pad on which the head element is mounted is stably made into contact with the surface of the recoding medium by means of a meniscus suction force and a damping action of lubricant applied on the surface of the recording medium.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to prevent a spacing between a magnetic head and a writing medium at low temperature from increasing to cause a writing/reading error, and to prevent the magnetic head element protruded by a temperature increase from colliding with small protrusions on a magnetic disk surface, and to prevent damage on the element, and to prevent the occurrence of thermal asperity. In order to attain the object, a magnetic head slider is provided, which includes a magnetic head element supported on a rotating magnetic disk via a gap to write or read information on the magnetic disk, and a heat source for heating the magnetic head element. A magnetic disk device is further provided, which includes a magnetic head slider.

Abstract: Employed is a structure for moving by a micro-actuator not a read/write element but an air-bearing surface pad. The air-bearing surface pad is arranged nearer to the leading end than the read/write element. This arrangement allows the read/write element portion to have a sufficient size, making it possible to mount the currently used read/write element and associated wiring structure. The individual adjustment of a flying height leads to the increased recording density. Moving the read/write element away from the disk during loading/unloading operations can enhance reliability.

Abstract: A magnetic disk apparatus includes a rotation mechanism for driving a magnetic disk, a magnetic head slider being floated in close proximity to a surface of the magnetic disk, a recording/reproduction element for performing recording and playback of information, a drive unit for causing a distance between the record/reproduction element and the magnetic disk to change, and means for performing position determination of the magnetic head slider, wherein the apparatus has a detection unit for permitting the drive unit to gradually reduce the distance between the record/reproduction element and the magnetic disk and for detecting occurrence of contact therebetween, and a control unit for controlling the drive unit in such a way as to cause, the record/reproduction element to shift in position by a fixed amount to thereby let the distance between this element and magnetic disk increase accordingly.

Abstract: A head element is made into contact with the surface of a recording medium so as to realize a float-up degree of 5 nm. Accordingly, a slider incorporating the head element for recording and reproducing data to and from the recording medium is provided thereon with a plurality of pads having step parts, and one of the plurality of pads, on which the head element is mounted, has a height which is less than that of the other pads. Thus, the pads other than the pad on which the head element is mounted are floated up while the pad on which the head element is mounted is stably made into contact with the surface of the recoding medium by means of a meniscus suction force and a damping action of lubricant applied on the surface of the recording medium.