Abstract: A write shield of a magnetic head includes a pair of first side shields and a pair of second side shields. The pair of first side shields each include a first side wall and a second side wall. The pair of second side shields each include a third side wall. The third side wall of one of the pair of second side shields is continuous with the first side wall of one of the pair of first side shields. The third side wall of the other of the pair of second side shields is continuous with the first side wall of the other of the pair of first side shields.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a main magnetic pole, a write shield separated from the main magnetic pole by a write gap, a first side shield that is separated from the main magnetic pole by a first side gap, a second side shield that is separated from the main magnetic pole by a second side gap, a first layer that has a first magnetic relative permeability and is disposed in the write gap between the main magnetic pole and the write shield, and a second layer that has a second magnetic relative permeability and is disposed in the first side gap and the second side gap, wherein the first magnetic relative permeability is smaller than the second magnetic relative permeability.

Abstract: A contact-making device (10) is used for a resistance measurement on a test object (30). The test object (30) comprises a threaded hole (31), which has an internal thread (32). The contact-making device (10) is designed to be mechanically coupled to the internal thread (32) of the threaded hole (31). The contact-making device (10) comprises a first contact (11) and a second contact (12), in order to make electrical contact with the test object (30) at, at least, two points when the contact-making device (10) is mechanically coupled to the internal thread (32). The first contact (11) and the second contact (12) are electrically insulated from one another by an insulating material (15-17) in the contact-making device (10).

Abstract: A head gimbal assembly has a suspension configured to extend along a surface of a recording medium and to bend and deform in a thickness direction of the recording medium. A slider is provided on a front end side of the suspension so as to confront the surface of the recording medium. A support section supports the slider such that the slider can pivot about two axes parallel to the surface of the recording medium and perpendicular to each other. An optical waveguide is connected to the slider and is configured to introduce a light flux into the slider. A near-field light generating element generates near-field light from the optical flux and causes the near-field light to record information on the recording medium. A positioning section is mounted between the support section and the slider for positioning the optical waveguide relative to the slider.

Abstract: A slider and microactuator elements are arranged on a gimbal portion of a flexure. A conducting member includes tongue conductive circuit portions, and unsupported conductive circuit portions which do not overlap with a metal base. The unsupported conductive circuit portions are disposed between arms of an outrigger portion. Bendable portions for reducing bending stiffness are formed in the unsupported conductive circuit portions, respectively. End portions of the microactuator elements are secured to supporting portions of a tongue, respectively. Each of bridge members is provided between the corresponding supporting portion of the tongue and the corresponding unsupported conductive circuit portion.

Abstract: Reducing slider bounce within a hard disk drive. A force is received at a first material while the first material is in contact with a disk of a hard disk drive; the first material comprising a portion that is flexible in a first direction and is substantially non-flexible in a second direction. The first direction is a direction that is normal to the disk and the second direction is a direction that is parallel to a surface of the disk. The force is substantially absorbed by the portion that is flexible to reduce the force associated with interaction between the first material and the disk, thereby reducing slider bounce within the hard disk drive.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a slider structure having a waveguide and a cavity configured to align a laser to the waveguide. The cavity includes a plurality of solder bumps on a bottom of the cavity configured to electrically and thermally couple the laser to the slider. At least one mechanical stopper is disposed in the cavity to facilitate vertical alignment between an output of the laser and an input of the waveguide. At least one solder bump is disposed on the mechanical stopper to facilitate lateral alignment between the output of the laser and the input of the waveguide in response to a reflow of the solder bumps.

Abstract: The thermally-assisted magnetic recording head includes: a magnetic pole having an end exposed on an air-bearing surface; a waveguide; a plasmon generator formed essentially of a first metallic material, and having a first region and a second region, the first region extending backward from the air-bearing surface to a first position, and the second region being coupled with the first region at the first position and extending backward from the first position; and a metallic layer filling a part in the second region, and formed essentially of a second metallic material that has a higher melting temperature than a melting temperature of the first metallic material.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a control circuit, a driver circuit and a write head. The control circuit may be configured to generate a plurality of control signals in response to a data input signal. The driver circuit may be configured to generate a differential write control signal in response to the plurality of control signals. The driver circuit may receive the plurality of control signals through a flexible bus. The driver circuit may be located remotely from the control circuit. The write head may be configured to write information by physically moving above one of a plurality of tracks on a disk in response to the write control signal. The driver circuit may be configured to move along with the write head.

Abstract: A suspension for a HGA comprises a flexure having a suspension tongue arranged for supporting a slider, which comprising a stainless steel layer and a dielectric layer formed thereon. The dielectric layer has a top surface and bottom surface, a plurality of bonding pads are formed on the top surface at a leading portion of the suspension tongue and arranged for connecting with the slider, and at least two separate supporting pieces are formed on the bottom surface and located at a corresponding position with the bonding pads, thereby releasing stress generated on the bonding pads. The invention also discloses a HGA and a disk drive unit with the same. The invention can release the stress generated on the bonding pads of the suspension, reduce the temperature impact to the suspension, and in turn, reduce thermal crown change of the slider, thereby improving the reading and writing performance.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic write head having a laminated trailing return pole structure that reduces magnetic eddy currents in the return pole for improved write head efficiency. The trailing magnetic return pole includes multiple magnetic layers. Each magnetic layer is separated from an adjacent magnetic layer of the return pole by a non-magnetic layer. The non-magnetic layer terminates at a region that is removed from the air bearing surface in order to allow contact between the magnetic layers at the ABS, thereby preventing stray magnetic fields from emitting from the magnetic layers of the write pole.

Abstract: A slider comprising a contact sensor element configured to respond to a change in resistance due to a change in temperature, and a shield structure. The shield structure comprises a lower thermal conductivity than the contact sensor element and a greater hardness than the contact sensor element.

Abstract: A mobile terminal includes a casing having a battery accommodation portion where a battery is installed and a battery stopper accommodation groove is recessively formed in a side thereof, a battery cover detachably coupled to the casing to cover the battery accommodation portion and having a cover knob accommodation groove that is formed by penetrating an area thereof, and a cover and battery stopper installed in the casing and having a side that is hook coupled to and released from the cover knob accommodation groove and the other side that is forcibly coupled to and released from the battery stopper accommodation groove by being engaged with the operation of the side that is hook coupled to and released from the cover knob accommodation groove.

Abstract: A suspension board with circuit includes a metal supporting board, an insulating layer formed on the metal supporting board, and a conductive layer formed on the insulating layer. The insulating layer includes a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer. The conductive layer includes a first conductive pattern and a second conductive pattern. The first conductive pattern includes a first connecting portion formed on the first insulating layer and under the second insulating layer and a first terminal. The second conductive pattern includes a second connecting portion formed on the second insulating layer and a second terminal. The suspension board with circuit is formed with an opening, and a slider is provided such that an electronic element is inserted in the opening to be electrically connected to the first terminal and a magnetic head on the slider is electrically connected to the second terminal.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic read head having a balanced capacitive coupling with the substrate. The read head includes a magnetoresistive sensor with first and second magnetic, electrically conductive shields separated from a substrate by a layer of non-magnetic, electrically insulating material. A dummy magnetic shield is formed on the non-magnetic electrically insulating layer and is electrically connected with the second magnetic, electrically conductive shield. The dummy shield is formed to have a capacitive coupling with the substrate that matches the capacitive coupling of the first magnetic, electrically conductive shield with the substrate.

Abstract: Gimbal designs are provided that minimize adverse dynamic performance of a HDD suspension, particularly subsequent to head-disk-interface (HDI) interactions. The improvement of operational performance can be seen in graphical representations of the vibrational modes of a gimbal mounted slider subsequent to such HDI interactions. Each gimbal design includes a ramp limiter formed as two separated arms connected by one or two transverse bars and a routing of conducting traces that relieves stress and minimally contacts these bars.

Abstract: First and second piezoelectric element overlapped portions of an insulating layer of a flexure part is formed with first and second connecting openings, respectively. There are provided on an upper surface of the insulating layer, first and second lower conductive adhesive agents that electrically connect lower electrode layers of first and second piezoelectric elements to a voltage supply wiring through the first and second connecting openings, and a surrounding insulative adhesive agent that is arranged so as to surround the first and second lower conductive adhesive agents in a plan view.

Abstract: A suspension board with circuit includes a metal supporting board, an insulating layer formed on the metal supporting board, and a conductive pattern formed on the insulating layer and having a terminal portion connected to connecting terminals of a magnetic head mounted on a slider. A slider mounting region where the slider is disposed is defined, and a plurality of the terminal portions are spaced apart from each other in the slider mounting region, and in the metal supporting board, an opening which opens so as to expose the insulating layer where the terminal portions are disposed is formed at the slider mounting region.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head includes a first ferromagnetic layer, an intermediate layer, a third ferromagnetic layer, a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole. The intermediate layer is provided between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer. The third ferromagnetic layer includes a CoIr alloy and is provided so that the first ferromagnetic layer is sandwiched between the third ferromagnetic layer and the intermediate layer. The first magnetic pole is provided so that the third ferromagnetic layer is sandwiched between the first magnetic pole and the first ferromagnetic layer. The second magnetic pole is provided so that the second ferromagnetic layer is sandwiched between the second magnetic pole and the intermediate layer.

Abstract: A reading element of a magnetic head has a first magnetoresistive effect part (first MR part) and a second magnetoresistive effect part (second MR part), an electrical resistance of the first MR part changing according to an external magnetic field applied to a first magnetic field sense area, an electrical resistance of the second MR part changing according to an external magnetic field applied to a second magnetic field sense area. A width of the second magnetic field sense area in a track width direction of the recording medium is larger than a width of the first magnetic field sense area in the track width direction, and a phase of change in the electrical resistance of the second MR part with respect to the external magnetic field substantially reverses to or substantially the same as a phase in the electrical resistance of the first MR part.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording head includes a main magnetic pole, a shield, and a stacked structure body. The shield is provided to oppose the main magnetic pole. The stacked structure body is provided between the main magnetic pole and the shield. The stacked structure body includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and an intermediate layer. The first magnetic layer has coercivity lower than a magnetic field applied from the main magnetic pole. A size of a film surface of the second magnetic layer is larger than a size of a film surface of the first magnetic layer. The intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer and is made of a nonmagnetic material. A current is configured to pass between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.

Abstract: A desiccant device that emits no contamination and is therefore suitable for use in an electronic device such as a magnetic disk drive system. The desiccant device includes a pouch formed of a laminate layer. The laminate layer includes a thin, non-permeable monolithic membrane laminated to a porous media. The thin, non-permeable monolithic membrane is thin enough to allow a desired vapor to pass there-through by molecular diffusion, but does not include any voids, pores or holes that would allow gas, liquid or solid to permeate there-through. Since the permeable membrane only passes vapor by molecular diffusion, it prohibits any dust fibers or other contamination from emitting from the desiccant device and thereby prevents contamination of the electronic device such as the disk drive.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a slider body, a transducer and a write driver. The transducer comprises a writer. The write driver is integrated on the slider body, and directly connected to the writer.

Abstract: In a disc drive, a slider having electronic communication with the surface of a data disc, the slider having a first up-track mill transition that has a transition mill to remove oblique mill transitions so that the transition has a substantially perpendicular portion that impacts contaminant particles on or near the disc surface. In other embodiments, other edges of the slider have transition mills to remove oblique transition mills from possible impact with such particles.

Abstract: A head-gimbal assembly. The head-gimbal assembly includes a suspension, a microactuator disposed on the suspension, and a head-slider bonded to the microactuator. The head-gimbal assembly further includes a connection pad disposed on the suspension, a connection pad disposed on the microactuator and formed over an edge between a side surface and a top surface of the microactuator to have a bend portion with an obtuse angle, and a metallic interconnection joint for interconnecting the connection pad of the suspension with the connection pad of the microactuator.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording head includes a slider, an edge-emitting laser diode fixed to the slider, and an external mirror provided outside the slider. The slider includes a magnetic pole, a waveguide, and a near-field light generating element. The laser diode includes: an emitting end face that lies at an end in a direction parallel to the plane of an active layer and includes a laser-light emission part; and a mounting surface that lies at an end in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the active layer and faces the slider. The external mirror includes: a first reference surface that is parallel to the emitting end face and faces the emitting end face; a second reference surface that is parallel to the mounting surface and faces toward the same direction as the mounting surface does; and a reflecting surface that connects the first and second reference surfaces to each other and reflects the laser light emitted from the emission part toward the waveguide.

Abstract: In a magnetic head suspension according to the present invention, each of paired piezoelectric elements is disposed within an open section of a supporting part so that at least a part of its distal-side end surface faces a distal-side wall surface of the distal end section of the supporting part with having a distal-side gap between the distal-side end surface and the distal-side wall surface and at least a part of its proximal-side end surface faces a proximal-side wall surface of the proximal end section of the supporting part with having a proximal-side gap between the proximal-side end surface and the proximal-side wall surface in a state where both of upper and lower electrode layers of the piezoelectric element do not face the supporting part and any rigid members that are fixed to the supporting part.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head includes first and second shield layers that are positioned on both sides of a magnetoresistive (MR) stack with respect to a film surface orthogonal direction; a first exchange-coupling layer that is positioned between the MR stack and the first shield layer and that generates an exchange-coupling between a first magnetoresistive (MR) magnetic layer and a first magnetic control layer of the first shield layer; a second exchange-coupling layer that is positioned between the MR stack and the second shield layer and that generates an exchange-coupling between a second magnetoresistive (MR) magnetic layer and a second magnetic control layer of the second shield layer; a bias magnetic field application layer that is disposed at an opposite surface of the MR stack from an air bearing surface (ABS) and that applies a bias magnetic field to the MR stack in a direction orthogonal to the ABS; and pair of side shield layers that are positioned at both sides of the MR stack with respect to a tra

Abstract: A system for poling piezoelectric devices comprises a plurality of thin-film components, a plurality of piezoelectric devices, a poling pad for poling the piezoelectric devices, a plurality of traces, and a plurality of current-limiting elements. The thin-film components are separated by dice lanes to form an array, and the piezoelectric devices are formed on the thin-film components. The traces connect the piezoelectric devices across the dice lanes in parallel to the poling pad. Each current-limiting element is connected in series with one of the piezoelectric devices, in order to limit current to individual piezoelectric devices that experience current-related failure.

Abstract: Reducing slider bounce within a hard disk drive. A force is received at a first material while the first material is in contact with a disk of a hard disk drive; the first material comprising a portion that is flexible in a first direction and is substantially non-flexible in a second direction. The first direction is a direction that is normal to the disk and the second direction is a direction that is parallel to a surface of the disk.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a head includes a slider and a head portion on the slider. A facing surface of the slider includes a negative-pressure cavity defined by a recess in the facing surface, a leading step portion on an upstream side of the negative-pressure cavity, a pair of side portions extending in a first direction from the leading step portion, a trailing step portion on an outflow side of the negative-pressure cavity, a pair of skirt portions extending in the first direction from the side portions toward the outflow end of the slider, and an enclosure step portion continuously arranged along an outflow end edge and opposite side edges of the facing surface from the trailing step portion to opposite sides of the skirt portions and outsides of the side portions and formed deeper than the skirt portions and shallower than the negative-pressure cavity.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a magnetic head for perpendicular recording, includes a slider including a facing surface opposed to a recording medium, and a head portion on the slider and configured to perform information processing for the recording medium. The head portion includes a main pole configured to apply a perpendicular recording magnetic field to the recording medium, a recording coil configured to excite the main pole, a write shield pole opposing the main pole across a write gap, side shields arranged individually on opposite sides of the main pole in a track width direction and magnetically isolated from the main pole, and low-flux-density layers formed of a material having a saturation magnetic flux density lower than that of the main pole, located between the main pole and the side shields, and configured to regulate magnetic fluxes flowing from the main pole to the side shields.

Abstract: A magnetic head slider according to the present invention comprises: a slider body including either a write head element or a read head element or both the write head element and the read head element; a seed layer provided on an air bearing surface of the slider body, the seed layer covering either the write head element or the read head element or both the write head element and the read head element, the seed layer having a film thickness that is less than 1 nm; and a protective film formed of diamond-like carbon, the protective film covering the seed layer. The seed layer is mainly formed of silicon and contains a 6A group element in a proportion of 2 atomic fractions or more and 30 atomic fractions or less.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a slider, a recording/reproduction element formed on a distal end face of the slider, and a resin film formed at least on the recording/reproduction element and the distal end face and having at least one of water repellency and oil repellency.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include a system and method for improving the reliability performance of hard disk drives by routing the traces connected to the slider from the trailing edge to the leading edge and having a portion of the traces being under the magnetic slider. Aspects of the present invention can also include routing the traces in a manner that lessens the stress experienced during vibration or shock events.

Abstract: A second thin film having a second thickness is overlaid on a first thin film having a first thickness in a first laminate unit. The first thin film is made of nonmagnetic noble metal atoms. The second thin film is made of magnetic atoms. A fourth thin film having a fourth thickness different from the second thickness is overlaid on a third thin film having a third thickness different from the first thickness in a second laminate unit. The third thin film is made of the nonmagnetic noble metal atoms. The fourth thin film is made of the magnetic atoms. The total saturation magnetization Ms and the total anisotropic magnetic field Hk can be adjusted by changing the numbers of the first and second thin films.

Abstract: A head supporting mechanism equipped with a waveguide is provided by which stiffness of the waveguide does not give a large influence to flying-heights and attitudes of a slider. In the head supporting mechanism, the waveguide provided on a suspension is arranged in such a manner that a portion of the waveguide is bent in either an in-plane direction or an out-plane direction of the suspension.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic head slider includes a write head having a single magnetic pole, the single magnetic pole having a main magnetic pole piece that extends to a medium opposing surface facing a magnetic disk. The main magnetic pole piece generates a recording magnetic field from a medium opposing surface side end face thereof being divided into an injection region and a non-injection region. Impurities which deteriorate magnetic properties are present in a higher concentration in the injection region relative to a concentration of the impurities in the non-injection region due to injection of the impurities in the injection region. The non-injection region has a narrower width at a leading end of the medium opposing surface side end face than at a trailing end of the medium opposing surface side end face.

Abstract: The head-slider is configured to receive an air-stream produced by rotation of a magnetic-recording disk and is configured to fly in proximity with a recording surface of the magnetic-recording disk. The head-slider includes a trailing edge on an outflow side of the air-stream, and a disk-facing surface that is configured to face the recording surface of the magnetic-recording disk. A low-surface-energy film is disposed on a portion of a trailing-edge side of the head-slider that is in contact with a boundary between the trailing edge and the disk-facing surface. The low-surface-energy film has a lower surface energy than other portions of the trailing-edge side where the low-surface-energy film is not disposed.

Abstract: An object is to provide a sintered body causing less chipping and having a sufficiently higher polishing rate than a conventional AlTiC sintered body, and providing a sufficiently smooth air bearing surface. The sintered body according to the present invention consists of Al2O3, a compound represented by the chemical formula (1) below, and a composite oxide containing Al and Ti, TiCxOy??(1) wherein x+y?1, x>0 and y>0.

Abstract: A disk drive. The disk drive includes a plurality of head-sliders, an actuator, a plurality of clearance adjustment sections, and a controller. Each head-slider includes a slider and a magnetic-recording head on the slider for accessing a disk for storing data. The plurality of head-sliders is secured to the actuator that is configured to move the plurality of head-sliders concurrently. Each clearance adjustment section corresponds to each head-slider of the plurality of head-sliders and adjusts a clearance of the corresponding head-slider. In addition, the controller is configured to position the actuator by servo control with a first head-slider selected from the plurality of head-sliders, to change a clearance of a second head-slider different from the first head-slider by controlling a clearance adjustment section of the second head-slider to bring the second head-slider into contact with a disk, and to detect the contact to measure the clearance of the second head-slider.

Abstract: A suspension board with circuit includes a conductive pattern, a board main body portion, an auxiliary portion folded back with respect to the board main body portion, a slider disposed on a side of the suspension board with circuit which is closer to the board main body portion, and mounting thereon a magnetic head, and a light emitting element disposed on a side of the suspension board with circuit which is closer to the auxiliary portion. The conductive pattern includes a first conductive pattern including first and second terminals connected to an external circuit and the magnetic head, and second conductive pattern including third and fourth terminals connected to the external circuit and light emitting element. Both of the first and second terminal are disposed on the board main body portion. The third and fourth terminals are disposed on the board main body portion and on the auxiliary portion respectively.

Abstract: Provided is a head slider that can heat a recording medium with a simple structure. In the head slider (10), a hole portion (14h) having an opening in a medium facing surface (10a) facing a disk-shaped recording medium (2) is formed, and a heating element (32) that is heated by being energized and a reflection portion (43) for reflecting heat radiated from the heating element (32) toward the disk-shaped recording medium (2) are disposed in the hole portion (14h).

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a carriage assembly includes a carriage block body, a carriage arm, a coil, a pair of support arms, and a frame body. The carriage block body is rotatably connected to a spindle. The carriage arm extends forward from the front of the carriage block body. The coil is located behind the carriage block body, and defines a linear region extending along a reference straight line extending radially from the center of the spindle. The support arms extend in parallel to the linear region from a back surface of the carriage block body. The frame body is made of a resin material, and fills between the coil and the support arms to couple the coil and the support arms. The support arms extend more outside than the external end of the linear region of the coil in the radial direction.

Abstract: A magnetic read/write head includes: a slider having an ABS, a surface at an leading edge, and a surface at an trailing edge; a piezoelectric device arranged on the surface at the trailing edge of the slider; and a magnetic read/write element arranged on the piezoelectric device. The piezoelectric device, upon application of voltage, is displaced asymmetrically with respect to a displacement axis which is on the surface at the trailing edge of the slider and which is perpendicular to the surface of the magnetic recording medium. With this asymmetrical displacement of the piezoelectric device, the magnetic read/write element rotates about the rotation axis perpendicular to the surface of the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A magnetic head assembly includes: a slider; an actuator disposed on an end face of the slider; and a magnetic head unit connected to the actuator. The actuator has a structure in which multiple electrodes are arranged in a piezoelectric body, and is driven in d33 mode. In other words, when a predetermined voltage is applied to the actuator, a portion between the electrodes in the piezoelectric body expands or contracts with respect to a voltage application direction. When the piezoelectric body of the actuator expands or contracts, the magnetic head unit is deformed, and the deformation causes a change of the distance between a magnetic head (recording element and reproducing element) and a magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing sliders from a bar has: a radiating step which includes radiating an electromagnetic wave on at least a part of each space on a second surface of said bar, wherein said second surface is a back surface of a first surface of said bar, said first surface being formed into an air bearing surface of said slider, wherein said space is sandwiched between said elements, and wherein said electromagnetic wave is radiated such that an entire portion of said bar forms a curved shape such that said first surface forms a convex surface; a lapping step of lapping said first surface while pressing said bar against a lapping surface such that said first surface of each element forms a concave shape; and a dicing step of dicing said bar along said spaces to separate said bar into said sliders.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing a suspension gram load to increase head to disk interface reliability for contact recording systems. The method provides a suspension for reaching over a disk. A slider having a read/write head element on a trailing edge (TE) portion is also provided, the slider coupled with the suspension. In addition, a gram load of the suspension is reduced to minimize the friction force during contact of the TE with the disk such that when the TE portion of the slider contacts the disk the bouncing motion of the TE with respect to the disk is reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for utilizing an off-center gimbal to increase head to disk interface reliability for contact recording systems. The method provides a suspension for reaching over a disk. A slider having a read/write head element on a trailing edge (TE) portion is also provided, the slider coupled with the suspension. In addition, an off-center gimbal device is coupled with the slider and the suspension away from the center of the slider and closer to the TE portion of the slider such that when the TE portion of the slider contacts a disk a bouncing motion of the TE with respect to the disk is reduced.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head for reading and writing information with respect to a rotating disk medium includes a pad having a working surface which contacts the recording medium. The pad has a leading edge and a trailing edge with the leading edge facing in the general direction of relative motion between the head and the medium. The ledge has a narrower width than the trailing edge so as to reduce the effort of debris accumulation at the disk-head interface. The narrower leading edge allows the head to deflect oncoming debris as the head traverses the surface of the rotating magnetic medium.