Magnetic head sub-ambient air pressure slider for a disk drive device or

Abstract

A sub-ambient pressure, air bearing slider is disclosed for positioning a magnetic read/write head proximately to a rotating disk. The slider includes first and second rails extending along the side of the slider facing the rotating disk from a leading edge of the slider to a trailing edge of the slider. Each rail has a thigh region extending at an angle from the leading edge to a lateral side of the slider, a foot region extending at an angle from a lateral side of the slider toward the trailing edge of the slider, and a knee region at a lateral side of the slider coupled between the foot and thigh regions. Recesses are provided to shape the first and second rails. A central recess provides a volume for sub-ambient pressure. One or more tails can be placed within the central region to prevent the shifting of pressure completely to one side of the slider. The design of the first and second rails leads to a more uniform flying height for the slider and magnetic head over all tracks of the disk.