Abstract: A sensor supported by a head transducer has a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and a sensor resistance. The sensor operates at a temperature above ambient and is responsive to changes in sensor-medium spacing. Conductive contacts connected to the sensor have a contact resistance and a cross-sectional area adjacent to the sensor larger than that of the sensor, such that the contact resistance is small relative to the sensor resistance and negligibly contributes to a signal generated by the sensor. A multiplicity of head transducers each support a TCR sensor and a power source can supply bias power to each sensor of each head to maintain each sensor at a fixed temperature above an ambient temperature in the presence of heat transfer changes impacting the sensors. A TCR sensor of a head transducer can include a track-oriented TCR sensor wire for sensing one or both of asperities of the medium.

Abstract: A sensor supported by a head transducer has a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and a sensor resistance. The sensor operates at a temperature above ambient and is responsive to changes in sensor-medium spacing. Conductive contacts connected to the sensor have a contact resistance and a cross-sectional area adjacent to the sensor larger than that of the sensor, such that the contact resistance is small relative to the sensor resistance and negligibly contributes to a signal generated by the sensor. A multiplicity of head transducers each support a TCR sensor and a power source can supply bias power to each sensor of each head to maintain each sensor at a fixed temperature above an ambient temperature in the presence of heat transfer changes impacting the sensors. A TCR sensor of a head transducer can include a track-oriented TCR sensor wire for sensing one or both of asperities of the medium.

Abstract: A slider utilizes a triple-etch, high pitch-stiffness side rail ABS design. The slider is characterized by a relatively deep shallow recession at its leading edge, which maximizes the cavity area while at the same time increases the pitch angle to achieve DLC pad clearance as required by smooth media ABS designs. The slider ABS has a shallower recession at the trailing edge, which provides low gram-load sensitivity and low flying standard deviation. The slider ABS further presents a decreased sensitivity in response to altitude variations.

Abstract: A disk drive (22) for load/unload applications having an actuator arm (32), a slider (34) and a suspension membrane (48) which attaches the slider (34) to the actuator arm (32). The slider (34) includes a leading edge (50), a trailing edge (52), a number of pads (80, 82) and a cavity (60), which creates a region of sub-ambient pressure (61), including a negative pressure center (62). A load point (64) is formed where the suspension membrane (48) attaches to the slider (34). The negative pressure center (62) is positioned towards the trailing edge (52) relative to the load point (64), such that when upward force (96) is applied to the slider (34) at the load point (64), a moment (98) is produced which raises the leading edge (50), allowing increased air flow into the cavity (60), which diminishes the sub-ambient pressure (61), and allows the arm (34) to be raised without damaging the suspension membrane (48).

Abstract: An air bearing surface for use on a magnetic read/write head. The air bearing surface provides a stable flight profile while exhibiting exception load/unload characteristics through the use of a plurality of pads providing high pressure areas as well as a central cavity providing a sub-ambient pressure to counter the high pressure areas. The channel is set a predetermined distance from the leading edge of the air bearing, the predetermined distance being greater than with prior art designs. A channel extends from the leading edge to the cavity to allow airflow into the cavity. The channel and the set back of the cavity both act in conjunction to facilitate unloading of the air bearing by preventing excessive sub ambient pressures.

Abstract: A slider includes an air bearing surface (ABS) including a plurality of separate coplanar pads, a cavity recessed to a certain depth beneath the level of the ABS, and a plurality of steps in which each step is disposed at a level between that of the ABS and that of the cavity. The plurality of steps include a trailing edge step and a leading edge step, and in some embodiments a first side step and a second side step. The leading edge step is provided at a level between that of the trailing edge step. The first side step and the second side step may be provided at the same or different levels to tailor the flight characteristics of the slider. A process is also disclosed for the fabrication of a slider of the present invention. The process includes at least three cycles of masking, etching, and stripping in order to form at least three successively deeper levels, the deepest level being the cavity.

Abstract: A disk drive (22) for load/unload applications having an actuator arm (32), a slider (34) and a suspension membrane (48) which attaches the slider (34) to the actuator arm (32). The slider (34) includes a leading edge (50), a trailing edge (52), a number of pads (80, 82) and a cavity (60), which creates a region of sub-ambient pressure (61), including a negative pressure center (62). A load point (64) is formed where the suspension membrane (48) attaches to the slider (34). The negative pressure center (62) is positioned towards the trailing edge (52) relative to the load point (64), such that when upward force (96) is applied to the slider (34) at the load point (64), a moment (98) is produced which raises the leading edge (50), allowing increased air flow into the cavity (60), which diminishes the sub-ambient pressure (61), and allows the arm (34) to be raised without damaging the suspension membrane (48).

Abstract: A slider includes an air bearing surface (ABS) including a plurality of separate coplanar pads, a cavity recessed to a certain depth beneath the level of the ABS, and a plurality of steps in which each step is disposed at a level between that of the ABS and that of the cavity. The plurality of steps include a trailing edge step and a leading edge step, and in some embodiments a first side step and a second side step. The leading edge step is provided at a level deeper than that of the trailing edge step. The first side step and the second side step may be provided at the same or different levels to tailor the flight characteristics of the slider. A process is also disclosed for the fabrication of a slider of the present invention. The process includes at least three cycles of masking, etching, and stripping in order to form at least three successively deeper levels, the deepest level being the cavity.

Abstract: An air bearing surface for use on a magnetic read/write head. The air bearing surface provides a stable flight profile while exhibiting exception load/unload characteristics through the use of a plurality of pads providing high pressure areas as well as a central cavity providing a sub-ambient pressure to counter the high pressure areas. The channel is set a predetermined distance from the leading edge of the air bearing, the predetermined distance being greater than with prior art designs. A channel extends from the leading edge to the cavity to allow airflow into the cavity. The channel and the set back of the cavity both act in conjunction to facilitate unloading of the air bearing by preventing excessive sub ambient pressures.

Abstract: An air bearing surface for use on a magnetic read/write head. The air bearing surface provides a stable flight profile while exhibiting exception load/unload characteristics through the use of a plurality of pads providing high pressure areas as well as a central cavity providing a sub-ambient pressure to counter the high pressure areas. The channel is set a predetermined distance from the leading edge of the air bearing, the predetermined distance being greater than with prior art designs. A channel extends from the leading edge to the cavity to allow airflow into the cavity. The channel and the set back of the cavity both act in conjunction to facilitate unloading of the air bearing by preventing excessive sub ambient pressures.

Abstract: An air bearing slider for a magnetic head is defined by a leading edge and a trailing edge and has a central longitudinal axis extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge. A pair of side pads, and a center pad between the side pads that is disposed substantially on the center axis, are formed on the air bearing surface of the slider. A first central recess having a T-shaped configuration is etched to a first depth, preferably in the range of 5-30 micro-inches with reference to the air bearing surface. A second major recess portion is etched to a second depth in the range of 60-150 micro-inches. The air bearing surface is configured for high load applications and maintains a flat flying height profile. The configured slider is particularly useful with small size sliders, such as picosliders.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in an air bearing slider. The slider contains a magnetic head for writing and reading data to and from the magnetic medium of a hard disk. The slider is attached to an actuator arm which reciprocates over the disk surface to position the slider over the surface of the disk. When placed in the airflow existing just above the surface of a rotating disk the slider flies above the disk. The slider which has a leading edge, a trailing edge and two sides defined between the leading and trailing edges comprises a pair of leading pads positioned near the leading edge, a channel defined between the leading pads, a side pad positioned adjacent to each of the sides respectively, a center pad positioned near the trailing edge and a cavity disposed between the pads. With the side pads being separate from the leading pads as well as the inclusion of the channel providing a reduction in stiction.

Abstract: An air bearing slider for use in a disk drive includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, and parallel sides defined between said edges. The slider has a plurality of pads that form discrete air bearing surfaces having a uniform height. The pads include two leading pads formed along the leading edge, a center pad defined along the trailing edge and two side pads. A platform surrounds the center pad and another platform is formed between the leading pads. The slider has a side bridge between each side pad and leading pad and a leading bridge between the leading pads. The side bridge has a height that is less than the height of the pads and which is configured to direct air towards the side pads. The directed air in cooperation with the slider geometry regulates lifting pressure under the center and side pads to limit pitch and maintain a constant slider flying height.