Abstract: A head slider for supporting a head over a magnetic disk in a hard disk drive, and a method of making the head slider are disclosed. The air bearing surface (ABS) of the head slider includes a relatively deep recess in front of a trailing pad and an island pad. A recess is formed between the trailing pad and the island pad of the ABS. In operation, the recess may reduce the peak pressure of the ABS, resulting in a reduced mid disk (MD) hump without a reduction in other performance parameters. The reduction in peak pressure may also reduce lubrication pick-up from the magnetic disk.

Abstract: An air bearing surface of a slider, which achieves low crown sensitivity is described. In one embodiment, the air bearing surface comprises a center channel and a plurality of side channels, wherein at least one side channel of the plurality of side channels is open to the center channel. The center channel and the plurality of side channels are configured to allow air to flow along the center channel toward the trailing edge of the ABS, such that there is low crown sensitivity.

Abstract: A head slider for supporting a head over a magnetic disk in a hard disk drive, and a method of making the head slider are disclosed. The tail section of the head slider has a deep write hole that may improve the altitude performance of the head slider by minimizing fly height variations at high altitudes (i.e., altitudes above 3000 m) or in low atmospheric pressure environments. The write hole prevents the fly height from changing. Additionally, the write hole limits the amount of lubricant that will flow over the ABS.

Abstract: An air-bearing surface of a hard disk drive slider comprises a trailing edge wherein a magnetic transducer is coupled to the air-bearing surface. A leading edge is opposite from the trailing edge. A channel is coupled to the air-bearing surface wherein the channel comprises: a closure at a distal end proximal to the leading edge; a bottom surface; and a center of the channel approximately aligned colinear with a center of the magnetic transducer. In this configuration the channel generates significantly more negative pressure proximal to the leading edge thereby stiffening the air bearing during operation.

Abstract: A head slider for supporting a head over a magnetic disk in a hard disk drive, and a method of making the head slider are disclosed. The air bearing surface (ABS) of the head slider includes a relatively deep recess in front of a trailing pad and an island pad. A recess is formed between the trailing pad and the island pad of the ABS. In operation, the recess may reduce the peak pressure of the ABS, resulting in a reduced mid disk (MD) hump without a reduction in other performance parameters. The reduction in peak pressure may also reduce lubrication pick-up from the magnetic disk.

Abstract: Magnetic disk drives and associated methods are described for performing an active flying height compensation process for a slider of a magnetic disk drive. For the flying height compensation process, a control system in the disk drive detects a reduction in flying height of a slider in the disk drive. The control system then calculates a compensation heating power to apply to one or more heating elements that are fabricated in the slider to compensate for the reduction in flying height. The control system then applies the compensation heating power to the heating element(s) in the slider to alter the ABS (i.e., generate a protrusion) and increase the flying height of the slider.

Abstract: Magnetic disk drives and associated methods are described for performing an active flying height compensation process for a slider of a magnetic disk drive. For the flying height compensation process, a control system in the disk drive detects a reduction in flying height of a slider in the disk drive. The control system then calculates a compensation heating power to apply to one or more heating elements that are fabricated in the slider to compensate for the reduction in flying height. The control system then applies the compensation heating power to the heating element(s) in the slider to alter the ABS (i.e., generate a protrusion) and increase the flying height of the slider.

Abstract: An air bearing surface of a slider is described. In one embodiment, the air bearing surface comprises a center channel. The air bearing surface further comprises a plurality of side channels, wherein at least one side channel of the plurality of side channels is open to the center channel, and a plurality of pocket areas. The center channel, the plurality of side channels, and the plurality of pocket areas are configured to allow air to flow along the center channel toward the trailing edge of the ABS, such that a change in ambient pressure and a change and relative velocity of a head assembly with respect to a data storage medium of a data storage device would not significantly affect the fly height of a head assembly utilizing the ABS.

Abstract: An air-bearing surface of a hard disk drive slider comprises a trailing edge wherein a magnetic transducer is coupled to the air-bearing surface. A leading edge is opposite from the trailing edge. A channel is coupled to the air-bearing surface wherein the channel comprises: a closure at a distal end proximal to the leading edge; a bottom surface; and a center of the channel approximately aligned colinear with a center of the magnetic transducer. In this configuration the channel generates significantly more negative pressure proximal to the leading edge thereby stiffening the air bearing during operation.

Abstract: An air bearing surface of a slider is described. In one embodiment, the air bearing surface comprises a center channel. The air bearing surface further comprises a plurality of side channels, wherein at least one side channel of the plurality of side channels is open to the center channel, and a plurality of pocket areas. The center channel, the plurality of side channels, and the plurality of pocket areas are configured to allow air to flow along the center channel toward the trailing edge of the ABS, such that a change in ambient pressure and a change and relative velocity of a head assembly with respect to a data storage medium of a data storage device would not significantly affect the fly height of a head assembly utilizing the ABS.

Abstract: An air bearing surface of a slider, which achieves low crown sensitivity is described. In one embodiment, the air bearing surface comprises a center channel and a plurality of side channels, wherein at least one side channel of the plurality of side channels is open to the center channel. The center channel and the plurality of side channels are configured to allow air to flow along the center channel toward the trailing edge of the ABS, such that there is low crown sensitivity.

Abstract: A dual etch depth slider air bearing surface includes a front pad disposed along the front and partially along the sides of the slider and a rear pad partially disposed along the rear of the slider, wherein a skewed center rail connects the front pad to the rear pad. Extending above the rear pad is a V-shaped ABS pad and extending above the front pad are two leading edge ABS pads that are separated by a channel towards the longitudinal center of the slider. The design enables the slider to fly much higher over the landing zone of the disk than at the data zone and provides for a steep take off profile followed by a rapid descend over the data zone.

Abstract: A dual etch depth slider air bearing surface includes a front pad disposed along the front and partially along the sides of the slider and a rear pad partially disposed along the rear of the slider, wherein a skewed center rail connects the front pad to the rear pad. Extending above the rear pad is a V-shaped ABS pad and extending above the front pad are two leading edge ABS pads that are separated by a channel towards the longitudinal center of the slider. The design enables the slider to fly much higher over the landing zone of the disk than at the data zone and provides for a steep take off profile followed by a rapid descend over the data zone.

Abstract: One embodiment of a recording head for a disk drive with a load/unload mechanism has an air bearing on one surface. The air bearing comprises a patterned set of three air bearing pads, and at least one deep pocket. The three air bearing pads are spaced apart from each other by the deep pocket, with the largest of the air bearing pads located on the leading edge, and the other pads on the trailing edge. The air bearing pads have unique geometry one of the trailing corners of the air bearing is free of all the air bearing pads. This configuration gives the air bearing superior performance characteristics over prior art designs with load/unload mechanisms, particularly in regard to contact with the disk during loading and unloading sequences.

Abstract: A shallow etch at the trailing edge rail that allows the slider to fly closer to the recording medium and exhibit less sensitivity to roll. The slider includes a support structure and at least one rail having side edges and an air bearing surface raised above the support structure. At least one of the rails comprises a magnetic element disposed on the support structure. The edges of the rail adjacent to the magnetic element are etched to minimize the fly height of the magnetic element over the disk while preventing collision of the rail with the disk during roll conditions. The etched features of the rail create relieved trailing edge portions where the edges of the rail adjacent to the magnetic element are lower than the air bearing surface but are higher than the support structure. The shallow etch in the air bearing surface minimizes the difference between the minimum mechanical slider/disk spacing and the magnetic head/disk spacing which in turn allows optimization of transducer spacing.

Abstract: One embodiment of a recording head for a disk drive with a load/unload mechanism has an air bearing on one surface. The air bearing comprises a patterned set of three air bearing pads, and at least one deep pocket. The three air bearing pads are spaced apart from each other by the deep pocket, with the largest of the air bearing pads located on the leading edge, and the other pads on the trailing edge. The air bearing pads have unique geometry one of the trailing corners of the air bearing is free of all the air bearing pads. This configuration gives the air bearing superior performance characteristics over prior art designs with load/unload mechanisms, particularly in regard to contact with the disk during loading and unloading sequences.

Abstract: Air bearing sliders that achieve fly height profiles which allow improved areal density and file capacity. The sliders include angled features in such a way that they align with the air skew at textured zones on a disk. The angled features are selected to create a first air pressure distribution at first predetermined radii of the recording medium and a second air pressure distribution at second predetermined radii of the recording medium. The spacing profile may be obtained by skewing the whole or a portion of one or more rails with respect to the air bearing slider edges. In designs with a center rail, the spacing profile may be customized by skewing the center rail. Further optimization may be provided by altering the taper of the rail widths. Still further, the entire slider can be mounted with a skew with respect to the suspension to achieve the required fly height profile variations rather than skewing one or more of the rails.

Abstract: A shallow etch at the trailing edge rail that allows the slider to fly closer to the recording medium and exhibit less sensitivity to roll. The slider includes a support structure and at least one rail having side edges and an air bearing surface raised above the support structure. At least one of the rails comprises a magnetic element disposed on the support structure. The edges of the rail adjacent to the magnetic element are etched to minimize the fly height of the magnetic element over the disk while preventing collision of the rail with the disk during roll conditions. The etched features of the rail create relieved trailing edge portions where the edges of the rail adjacent to the magnetic element are lower than the air bearing surface but are higher than the support structure. The shallow etch in the air bearing surface minimizes the difference between the minimum mechanical slider/disk spacing and the magnetic head/disk spacing which in turn allows optimization of transducer spacing.

Abstract: An air bearing slider for use in carrying a transducer adjacent a recording medium exhibits reduced sensitivity to variations in roll, crown, and skew. In one embodiment, the slider comprises an air bearing slider having a pair of substantially coplanar side rails disposed along the sides of the air bearing surface so as to form a recessed section between the side rails. The recessed section is open at both the leading and trailing ends of the slider while each side rail has a tapered section or etched step at the leading edge of the slider. One rail carries the transducer and extends for the entire length of the slider body. The rail without a transducer extends from the leading edge toward the trailing edge, but does not extend all the way to the trailing edge. Under some skew, accessing, and crash stop impact conditions, the resulting slider roll causes the flying height of the inactive rail to drop.

Abstract: An air bearing slider for use in carrying a transducer adjacent a recording medium exhibits reduced sensitivity to variations in roll, crown, and skew. In one embodiment, the slider comprises an air bearing slider having a pair of substantially coplanar side rails disposed along the sides of the air bearing surface so as to form a recessed section between the side rails. The recessed section is open at both the leading and trailing ends of the slider while each side rail has a tapered section or etched step at the leading edge of the slider. One rail carries the transducer and extends for the entire length of the slider body. The rail without a transducer extends from the leading edge toward the trailing edge, but does not extend all the way to the trailing edge. Under some skew, accessing, and crash stop impact conditions, the resulting slider roll causes the flying height of the inactive rail to drop.