HK1072654B - Subambient pressure air hearing slider and method for designing thereof - Google Patents

Description

Ultra low flying height slider and design method

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the design of air bearing sliders for disk drives. More particularly, the present invention relates to a modular design of slider air bearing surfaces to achieve ultra-low flying heights.

Background

Disk drives are common information storage devices that consist essentially of a set of rotatable disks that are accessed by magnetic read and write elements. These data transfer elements (commonly referred to as transducers) are typically supported by and embedded within a slider body that is positioned in relatively close proximity over the individual data tracks formed on the magnetic disk for read and write operations. To properly position the transducer relative to the disk surface, an Air Bearing Surface (ABS) formed on the slider body is subjected to a flow of Air that provides sufficient lift force to "fly" the slider and transducer above the data tracks of the disk. The high speed rotation of the disk generates a stream of air flow or wind along the surface of the disk in a direction substantially parallel to the tangential velocity of the disk. The air flow engages the ABS of the slider so that the slider can fly above the rotating disk. In fact, the flying slider is separated from the disk surface by this automatic air bearing. The ABS of a slider is typically configured on the surface of the slider that faces the rotating disk and, under various conditions, greatly affects the ability to fly over the disk.

Some of the primary objectives of ABS designs are to fly the slider and its transducer as close as possible to the surface of the rotating disk and to maintain a constant close spacing in any case of flying. The height or separation gap between the air bearing slider and the rotating disk is generally defined as the flying height. Typically, the mounted transducer or read/write element flies only about a few micro-inches above the surface of the rotating disk. The flying height of the slider is seen as one of the most critical parameters affecting the disk reading and recording capabilities of the mounted read/write element. For example, it may be advantageous to reduce or have a relatively small flying height. The relatively small flying height allows the transducer to achieve greater resolution between different data bit locations and magnetic fields from closely defined areas on the disk surface. Also, low flying sliders are believed to provide improved high density recording or storage capacity to the magnetic disk, which is generally limited by the spacing between the transducer and the magnetic media. Thus, the narrow separation gap allows short wavelength signals to be recorded or read. Meanwhile, as the popularity of lightweight and compact notebook computers using relatively small yet powerful disk drives increases, the demand for progressively smaller slider bodies having lower flying heights is constantly increasing.

It has also been observed that a constant flying height is advantageous and can be more easily achieved by a particular ABS design. Fluctuations in flying height are believed to adversely affect the resolution and data transfer capabilities of the attached transducer or read/write element. When the flying height is relatively constant, the amplitude of the recorded or read signal does not change much. In addition, changes in flying height can result in unintended contact between the slider assembly and the magnetic rotating disk. Sliders are generally considered to be either direct contact, dummy contact or flying sliders which describe their intended contact with the rotating disk. Regardless of the type of slider, it is generally desirable to avoid unnecessary contact with the surface of the rotating disk in order to reduce wear on both the slider body and the disk. Degradation or wear of the recording medium can lead to loss of recorded data, while wear of the slider can also lead to eventual failure of the transducer or magnetic element.

What often causes the flying height to change is the continuous high speed movement of the slider across the rotating disk as read or write operations are performed. For example, depending on the radial position of the slider, the respective linear velocities of the magnetic disks change. Higher velocities are observed at the outer edge of the rotating disk, while lower velocities are found at the inner edge. As a result, the air bearing slider flies at different relative speeds at different radial positions relative to the disk. Because the slider typically flies higher at higher speeds, the flying height has a tendency to increase when positioned over the outer region of the disk. At the same time, the lower velocity at the inner region of the disk causes the slider to float lower at low speeds. Therefore, slider designs must account for the noticeable effect of changes in radial position and relative velocity on flying height.

The flying height of the slider is also adversely affected by the change in pitch. The skew angle is defined and measured as the angle formed between the longitudinal axis of the slider body and the direction of the air flow tangential to the disk rotation. When the mounted slider is positioned at the inner or outer edge of the rotating disk, its longitudinal axis is generally oblique to the direction of the air flow. The longitudinal axis of the slider may be defined as a reference centerline running along the length of the slider body. These angular orientations or tilt angles generally vary as the rotary actuator arm is varied, and the gimbal suspension assembly rotates about its pivot point, moving the slider in an arcuate path across the rotating disk. In view of the growing demand for high density disk drives having relatively small actuator arms, large tilt angles have been more prevalent due to the shortened arm length. It is often noted that in the case of a pitch value greater than zero, the slider is pressurized at a reduced value, which would cause an undesirable reduction in flying height. Even a relatively modest range of pitch angles can adversely affect the ability of the slider to float. As a result, ABS designs are constantly attempting to minimize slider sensitivity to change pitch.

Another fluctuation in flying height may be identified as slider roll. The roll angle is measured and defined by the difference in flying height between the longitudinal sides of the slider. An unequal pressure distribution tends to occur between the ABS and the disk whenever the slider flies at an inclination with respect to the direction of the air flow. This imbalance causes the slider to roll, with one side of the slider body being closer to the disk than the other side. However, the slider is preferably positioned for constant slider roll regardless of any changes in flying conditions, including differences in tangential velocity between the inner and outer tracks of the rotating disk, and continuous lateral movement or changing pitch angles over the disk surface.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ABS design known for a universal catamaran slider 5 may be formed with a pair of parallel rails 2 and 4 that extend along the outer edges of the slider surface facing the disk. Other ABS configurations including three or more additional tracks having various surface areas and geometries have also been developed. The two rails 2 and 4 typically extend along at least a portion of the slider body length from the leading edge 6 to the trailing edge 8. The leading edge 6 is defined as the edge of the slider where the rotating disk passes before the length of the slider 5 extends toward the trailing edge 8. As shown, the leading edge 6 may be tapered despite the large undesirable tolerances typically associated with this machining process. As shown in fig. 1, the transducer or magnetic element 7 is typically mounted at a location along the trailing edge 8 of the slider. The rails 2 and 4 form an air bearing surface on which the slider flies and provide the necessary lift when in contact with the air flow generated by the rotating disk. As the disk rotates, the resulting wind or air flow travels along the underside of and between the catamaran slider rails 2 and 4. As the air flow passes under the rails 2 and 4, the air pressure between the rails and the disk increases, thereby providing positive pressurization and lift. Catamaran sliders generally produce a sufficient amount of lift, or positive load force, to cause the slider to fly at an appropriate height above the rotating disk. In the absence of rails 2 and 4, the large surface area of the slider body 5 will produce a very large air bearing surface area. Generally, as the air bearing surface area increases, the amount of lift generated is also increased. Without the rails, the slider would therefore fly too far from the rotating disk, thereby losing all of the benefits of having a low flying height previously described.

As depicted in fig. 2, the head gimbal assembly 40 often provides a slider with multiple degrees of freedom that describe the flying height of the slider, such as vertical spacing or pitch angle and roll angle. As shown in FIG. 2, the suspension 74 holds the HGA 40 above a moving disk 76 (having an edge 70) and moves in the direction indicated by arrow 80. In operation of the disk drive shown in FIG. 2, the actuator 72 moves the HGA in an arc 78 over various diameters of the disk 76 (e.g., inner diameter ID, middle diameter MD, and outer diameter OD).

While catamaran sliders are initially effective in providing adequate flying height, they are particularly sensitive to varying pitch angle ranges and other adverse flying conditions. As the pitch angle increases, such as when a flying slider crosses a rotating disk, the distribution of air pressure beneath the rails becomes distorted. As shown in fig. 1, by accessing the inner and outer portions of the disk at relatively high speeds, air is introduced under each track in uneven amounts, which generally causes the slider to roll. As a result, the slider is subjected to unevenly distributed pressure, which can cause the slider to roll in a direction such that the flying height is not consistent between the ABS rails. Thus, the installed transducer is unable to operate efficiently or to perform its data transmission operations accurately. Regardless of the sensitivity of the ABS track to various tilt ranges and other adverse flying conditions, this track design is widely recognized as a general configuration that provides effective pressurization or lift to enable the slider to fly.

To counteract the positive pressurization of the flying slider body to provide a low and constant flying height, it is known to form an ABS that also provides a negative or low pressurization to cause the slider body to pull or drag toward the disk. For example, Negative Pressure Air Bearings (NPAB) or self-loading sliders are known, which provide a counteracting negative pressure loading. In this dual pressurization scheme, the ABS may be generally formed with a leading edge, a trailing edge, side rails, and a cross rail extending in a generally H-shaped direction between the side rails. The cross track creates a low pressure area behind it and between the side tracks, where the cross track is typically positioned closer to the leading edge than the trailing edge of the slider. The low pressure region creates a negative pressure or load that counteracts the positive pressure created along the ABS side rail portions-the reaction of negative and positive forces-is known to increase slider stability and air bearing stiffness, provide rapid slider flying, and reduce its sensitivity to changes in, for example, changing disk speed and radial motion, which can cause fluctuations in flying height. Compensating for changes in the positive and negative pressures in response to changes in velocity between the inner and outer tracks of the disk helps maintain the overall goal of a substantially constant and stable flying height. However, the biasing force generated in the low pressure regime can often have undesirable effects that actually cause variations in flying height. NPAB sliders also often exhibit significant roll and flying height reduction under pitch conditions due to unequal pressurization or distribution of air beneath the rails.

All of the above-described ABS configurations and modifications to air bearing sliders attempt to achieve a low and constant flying height. Different degrees of effectiveness are provided by these ABS designs, none of which have good control over flying height or pitch and roll angle. For example, many existing ABS designs have been observed to exhibit a greatly increased slider roll angle over the outer track area of the disk. These structures also generally fail to control the increase in slider pitch angle when moving from the inner rail to the outer rail region.

The recording density for magnetic disks has increased with the need for low flying heights for air bearing sliders. In the prior art, a flying height of less than 10nm is considered an ultra-low flying height. As mentioned above, one problem with low flying heights is that there is a greater risk of head/disk contact, which can result in damage to the slider head and/or the magnetic recording disk. In view of this, there is a need for a robust and stable ABS design, particularly for ultra-low flying height implementations. The robustness is due to the fact that ABS designs have a stable flying height and are insensitive to external variations such as manufacturing tolerances, air characteristics, and environmental conditions (e.g., temperature).

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides a low pressure air bearing slider having a plurality of Air Bearing Surfaces (ABS) that provides an ultra-low and constant flying height even in varying temperature environments. This design may be considered a "module" in which various parameters for the slider, such as convexity, curvature, and depression, are controlled separately by the size and positioning of various features of the slider. In other words, controlling one of these parameters may effectively "decouple" these parameters from affecting each other. For example, the crown sensitivity of the slider can be controlled by controlling the length and positioning of the side ABS structure in addition to by changing the size of the rear ABS. The curved surface sensitivity can be controlled by setting the width of the side ABS structure. Finally, once the curvature and convexity sensitivity of the slider is set, the overall flying height for the slider can be set by appropriately positioning the low profile members that create a low pressure area between them, resulting in a low flying height for the slider.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slider with a read and write element assembly having a tapered conventional catamaran air bearing slider configuration.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a mounted air bearing slider according to the present invention (not drawn to scale).

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of a low pressure slider constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial plan view of the rear air bearing surface of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a head flexure including the slider of FIG. 3.

Fig. 6a and 6b are comparative designs for the slider of fig. 3 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the slider 10 for a low pressure slider according to an embodiment of the present invention. To illustrate certain features of the ABS described below, it should be understood that the entire slider body, not shown, may be formed from a substrate material such as Al₂O₃And TiC. The slider 10 shown in FIG. 3 includes a front air bearing surface 12. The air bearing surface is delineated from the leading edge 13 of the slider 10 by a front step 14. In this particular embodiment, the forward step 14 has a depth relative to the forward air bearing surface. In this embodiment, the depth is between 2 and 10 micro-inches. Double-sided air bearing surfaces 15, 16 are provided at the inner and outer edges of the slider 10. Although both surfaces are provided, the present invention is not limited to this number. Each of the air bearing surfaces 15, 16 comprises a secondary structure 15a, 16b, respectively, at a lower level. In this embodiment, the secondary structures 15a-16b are at a height equal to the height of the front step 14. A rear air bearing surface 17 is provided at the trailing edge of the slider 10. These air bearing surfaces are at the same height in this embodiment. The air bearing surface 17 includes a first rectangular face 18 that is relatively larger than a rear rectangular face 19 (described in more detail below). In this embodiment. The rear air bearing surface 17 has secondary structures 17a and 17b, both at the same height as the secondary structures 15a, 16 a. The secondary structures 15a, 16a, 17a and the front step 14 provide pressurization for the introduction of air and a lifting force for the slider 10. The magnetic recording device or head is located in the slider body at its trailing edge (not specifically shown in FIG. 3).

A number of stiction reduction pads 20a-g may be provided that extend higher than these air bearing surfaces. The stiction reduction pads may be composed of the same substance as the slider body and include a diamond-like carbon substance at their ends to reduce starting friction and prevent damage to the slider air bearing surface and other components.

The slider 10 includes a suction area 21 that is contained by the front step 14 and/or the front air bearing surface 12 along with the low profile strips 22a and 22 b. In this embodiment, the low-profile strips 22a-b have a relatively narrow width (e.g., between 30 and 60 microns). Also in this embodiment, the height of the low-profile strip is the same as the front step 14 and secondary structures 15a, 16a, 17a of the side and rear ABS.

The design of the slider of fig. 3 can be considered to be a certain "module" in the design, since there are at least three elements whose dimensions can be individually selected in order to express different aspects of the slider's characteristics.

For example, a convexity or protrusion is a feature of the slider. It refers to the curvature of the air bearing surface from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the slider. The first rectangular face 18 is designed to be narrow according to the length of the slider 10 and wide according to the face-to-face dimensions of the slider. The second rectangular face is designed to be very narrow (e.g., on the order of mask alignment tolerances of the manufacturing process; e.g., 5 milli-inches (parts per million in inches) or 130 microns). Since the rear ABS 17 provides such a high voltage area, reducing the width of the second rectangular face 19 will reduce the flying height of the slider so that a threshold of less than 10 nanometers for ultra-low flying can be achieved. Because the area is so narrow, the chance of this area contacting the recording medium is greatly reduced. Even when contact occurs, the contact area will be very small, resulting in minimal damage to the read/write element and the slider itself under such conditions.

Fig. 4 shows an enlarged view of the second rectangular surface 19. The second rectangular area begins at the trailing edge 18a of the first rectangular area, toward the trailing edge 31 of the slider. As shown in FIG. 4, the width of the second rectangular area 19 may be smaller than the width of the read/write element 30 portion. Therefore, during the etching operation to produce the second rectangular area 19, care must be taken to prevent damage to the components of the read/write element 31, either by etching or by corrosion. Controlling the size of the rear ABS 17 enables the slider to be produced so that the sensitivity of the crown in the slider is reduced. First, because the protrusion is a lengthwise parameter to the slider, the narrow air bearing surface results in minimal flying height changes, depending on the changes in the curvature of the ABS surface. Second, the front section of the rear ABS 17 is substantially flat, which also reduces the flying height sensitivity of the slider due to the protrusion.

Referring to fig. 3, during operation, the side air bearing surfaces 15 and 16 supply rolling stiffness to the slider. The dimensions of these ABS's affect not only the slider's sensitivity to crown, but also the sensitivity to the slider's second parameter, the curve (or cross-crown as well). Curved refers to curvature in the slider between sides of the slider body. In particular, the facing surface width of the side ABS's 15, 16 makes the slider more sensitive to curved surfaces. Also the front to back edge width of the side ABS15, 16 makes the slider more sensitive to camber. The positioning of the side ABS15, 16 may affect the overall flying height. The closer these pads are to the trailing edge of the slider, the more load they become to cause a higher flying height. In addition, the two-sided ABS helps determine the overall flying height sensitivity to disk drive height changes.

Based on the foregoing, it can be seen that control of the positioning and size of the rear ABS 17 and side ABS15, 16 can be used to control the effect of camber and camber on slider flying height. The number of curves and convexities seen in the slider will be directly related to the operating environment of the slider. Referring to FIG. 5, a side view of head gimbal assembly 40 is shown. In fig. 5, the slider 10 is coupled to a flexure 42 via an epoxy 41. In this embodiment, the epoxy is a combination of a standard epoxy and a conductive epoxy (e.g., silver epoxy). The conductive epoxy forms a conductive path between the slider and the suspension. Changes in temperature cause changes in the slider profile (i.e., convexity and camber) due to mismatch in thermal expansion of the slider 10, epoxy 41, and suspension mass (typically constructed of stainless steel).

At cold temperatures (e.g., 5 c), the convexity and curvature increase due to material shrinkage of the flexure 42. At relatively hot temperatures (e.g., 60 c), the convexity and camber are reduced due to expansion of the flexure mass. Due to the convexity and curvature, the effects on slider flying height are opposite to each other. As the convexity increases, the flying height for the slider increases, while the increase in curvature causes the flying height of the slider to decrease. Thus, the size and positioning of the side ABS's 15 and 16 and the rear ABS 17 can be controlled such that the slider flying height sensitivities to camber and camber can be approximately equal to each other over a range of temperature variations. In other words, at cooler temperatures, the increase in slider flying height due to the increase in crown is offset by the decrease in slider flying height due to the increase in camber. At relatively high temperatures, the decrease in slider flying height due to the decrease in crown is offset by the increase in slider flying height due to the decrease in camber.

One potential requirement for an ultra-low flying height is that the flying height hardly changes as the height changes. The change in flying height due to the height change is related to the height of the low pressure region created in the slider body. Referring to fig. 3, a low pressure region exists between the low profile strips 22a and 22 b. In prior art designs, the low pressure area is typically contained inside the side ABS rails. Therefore, to reduce the low pressure area, the ABS rails would need to be expanded or moved, greatly affecting the flying height. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the height of the low-profile strips 22a and 22b and their width are selected so as to not provide an air bearing surface, but still adequately create a sub-ambient pressure zone. In this example, the widths of the low-profile bars 22a and 22b are each set to 30 mils. Alternatively, their widths may be set to the same tolerance for manufacturing photolithography as the trailing ABS portion 19. Since the low profile strips are not air bearing surfaces, they do not have to be placed toward the side edges of the slider body, but instead can be moved inward toward the center of the slider body to reduce the suction provided by the low pressure region.

Referring to fig. 6a and 6b, additional embodiments of the present invention are shown. In FIG. 6a, the side ABS's 15, 16 are moved further toward the trailing edge of the slider. As the side ABS moves further toward the trailing edge, these ABS's are subjected to more loading which results in an increase in slider flying height. Also, the rear ABS 17 is made smaller while the second rectangular portion 19 is made wider when compared to the same structure in FIG. 3. At the leading edge of the rear ABS, the rear portion 17 likewise comprises secondary structures 17b of the same height as the secondary structures 17 a. Eventually, the low-profile members 22a, 22b have moved outward to increase the pressure area below room temperature. As represented in FIG. 6a, when compared to FIG. 3, the slider's sensitivity to curved surfaces has increased since the side ABS has moved toward the slider's trailing edge. Since the size of the side ABS and the size of the first portion of the rear ABS do not change, the slider's sensitivity to crown does not change appreciably, thus representing an example of how the sensitivity for one parameter changes without affecting the change of the other parameter. In the example of FIG. 6a, once the sensitivity of the curvature/crown is set, the overall flying height of the slider can be set individually by setting the low profile strip separation and setting the second rectangular portion width of the rear ABS.

Referring to fig. 6b, the slider design is changed again. In FIG. 6b, the front ABS 14 includes a second portion 14a that extends from the ABS in a front direction and a third portion 14b that extends from the ABS in a rear direction. The third section is used to destroy the low pressure area comprised by the low profile members 22a, 22 b. The side ABS's 15, 16 become narrower from the leading edge to the trailing edge, resulting in a reduction in camber sensitivity. Once the convexity and curvature sensitivity have been set, the overall flying height can be set by controlling the width of the second rectangular portion 19 of the rear ABS 17 (e.g., by widening). Also in this particular embodiment, the side ABS's 15, 16 and the rear ABS 17 include extensions 15c, 16c, 17c toward the slider's leading edge. These extensions provide additional pressurization when the slider is positioned at the inner diameter of the moving disk.

While the invention has been described with reference to the above applications, the description of this preferred embodiment is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. It should be understood that all aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific descriptions, configurations or dimensions set forth herein, which rely on various aerodynamic principles and variables and may be determined, for example, by a computer simulation process using a computer simulation program as developed in the computer mechanical laboratory of California, Berkeley, University of California. Various modifications in form and detail of the disclosed apparatus, as well as other variations of the present invention, will be apparent to a person skilled in the art upon reference to the present disclosure. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or variations of the specific embodiments as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (23)

1. A low pressure air bearing slider comprising:

a slider body defined by a leading edge, inner and outer edges extending longitudinally along the slider body, and a trailing edge, said slider body comprising

A front air bearing surface;

a front portion extending from a slider leading edge, the front portion having a first height that is less than a height of the front air bearing surface;

a side air bearing surface having a second height and comprising a secondary structure having a height less than the second height;

a low pressure region extending intermediate the front portion and the first and second low-profile members, the first and second low-profile members having a height less than a height of the front air bearing surface.

2. The low pressure air bearing slider of claim 1, wherein the first and second low profile members have a height equal to the first height.

3. The low pressure air bearing slider of claim 2, wherein said slider is used in an ultra-low flying height environment of a disk drive.

4. The low pressure air bearing slider of claim 1, further comprising:

a rear air bearing surface including a first rectangular portion facing a leading edge of the slider and a second rectangular portion facing a trailing edge of the slider.

5. The low pressure air bearing slider of claim 4, wherein said second rectangular portion has a width of less than 30 mils.

6. The low pressure air bearing slider of claim 5, wherein said second rectangular portion has a width of 5 mils.

7. The low pressure air bearing slider of claim 4, wherein the width of said second rectangular portion is limited to mask alignment tolerances in a photolithographic process of manufacturing said slider.

8. The low pressure air bearing slider of claim 4, further comprising:

a read/write element, wherein the second rectangular portion is positioned over the read/write element.

9. A low pressure air bearing slider comprising:

a slider body defined by a leading edge, inner and outer edges extending longitudinally along the slider body, and a trailing edge, said slider body comprising

A front air bearing surface;

a front portion extending from a slider leading edge, the front portion having a first height that is less than a height of the front air bearing surface;

a low pressure region extending intermediate the front portion and first and second low-profile members having a height less than a height of the front air bearing surface;

at least one side air bearing surface having a second height and comprising a secondary structure having a height less than the second height, wherein the positioning of the side air bearing surface and the width of the side air bearing surface in the longitudinal direction of the slider are selected to achieve a predetermined flying height sensitivity to a protrusion in the slider, wherein protrusion refers to the curvature of the air bearing surface from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the slider.

10. The low-pressure air bearing slider as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first and second low-profile members have a height equal to the first height.

11. The low pressure air bearing slider of claim 10, wherein said slider is used in an ultra-low flying height environment of a disk drive.

12. The low-pressure air bearing slider as set forth in claim 9, further comprising:

a rear air bearing surface including a first rectangular portion facing a leading edge of the slider and a second rectangular portion facing a trailing edge of the slider.

13. The low pressure air bearing slider of claim 12, wherein said second rectangular portion has a width of less than 30 mils.

14. The low pressure air bearing slider of claim 13, wherein said second rectangular portion has a width of 5 mils.

15. The low pressure air bearing slider of claim 12, wherein the width of said second rectangular portion is limited to mask alignment tolerances in a photolithographic process of manufacturing said slider.

16. The low-pressure air bearing slider as set forth in claim 12, further comprising:

a read/write element, wherein the second rectangular portion is positioned over the read/write element.

17. The low pressure air bearing slider of claim 9, wherein the low profile member is not an air bearing surface.

18. A method of designing a low pressure air bearing slider, wherein the slider includes a slider body defined by a leading edge, inner and outer edges extending longitudinally along the slider body, and a trailing edge, said slider body including a front air bearing surface and a front portion extending from the slider leading edge, said front portion having a first height less than the height of said front air bearing surface, the method comprising:

the width of the side air bearing surface in the longitudinal direction of the slider body and the positioning of the side air bearing slider are selected to achieve a predetermined flying height sensitivity to the camber in the slider, where camber refers to the curvature of the air bearing surface from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the slider.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the selecting operation further comprises: the width of the rear air bearing surface in the longitudinal direction of the slider body is selected to achieve a predetermined flying height sensitivity to camber in the slider.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

the width of the side air bearing surface in the lateral direction of the slider body is selected to achieve a predetermined flying height sensitivity to a curved surface in the slider, where curved surface refers to the curvature in the slider between the sides of the slider body.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the flying height sensitivities of convexity and camber cancel each other for a slider.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

two low profile components are positioned behind the forward air bearing surface and the forward portion to define a low pressure region.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the aft air bearing surface includes a forward rectangular portion and an aft rectangular portion, the method further comprising:

the width of the rear rectangular portion of the rear air bearing surface is selected in a lateral direction of the slider body to achieve a predetermined flying height for the slider.