Abstract: A slider is formed of an air bearing surface coated with a wear limiting coating that substantially limits surface wear of the air bearing surface encountered in proximity recording. The wear limiting coating is comprised of a wear inhibiting layer formed on the air bearing surface and a sacrificial layer formed on the wear inhibiting layer. The two coatings of the wear limiting coating have different mechanical properties so that the sacrificial layer is burnished, exposing the wear inhibiting layer. This design substantially limits the surface wear of the air bearing surface typically encountered in proximity recording, resulting in less debris accumulation, which could otherwise adversely affect the performance of the proximity recording head. This self-limiting burnishing action overcomes the flying height variation due to manufacturing tolerances and provides extremely small and uniform magnetic spacing, which greatly enhances the proximity recording.

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: The air bearing surface (ABS) of an air bearing slider is formed with etched pads and a leading edge shaped shallow etch step taper region that extends continuously between first and second sides of the slider. A first pad is formed on the slider and extends from the trailing edge between the first side and a central axis and has a first extension at the step taper region. The first extension has a leading edge that is angled toward the first side of the slider. A second pad is formed on the slider and extends from the trailing edge between the second side and the central axis and has a second extension at the step taper region. The second extension has a leading edge that is angled inwardly toward the central axis. The first pad and the second pad provide an air bearing surface (ABS) for the slider. A deep central recess is bounded by the first pad, the second pad, and the step taper region.