Magnetic head slider with reduced bearing surface area and magnetic disk drive

摘要

A compact slider has a reduced area of bearing surfaces, thus substantially decreasing a lifting force obtained through an air bearing characteristic. In one embodiment, a shallowly grooved surface and air bearing surfaces are disposed on an inflow side of a bearing surface of a slider. The air bearing surfaces are connected to each other through a connection air bearing surface. Side shallowly grooved surfaces are respectively disposed rearward of the air bearing surfaces. The side shallowly grooved surface extends up to a point near an outflow end. A center air bearing surface is disposed on the outflow end of the slider. A magnetic head is mounted on the center air bearing surface. A center shallowly grooved surface is disposed on an inflow side of the center air bearing surface. A deeply grooved surface is disposed at a center of the bearing surface. No cutting margins are provided on both sides of the slider. The air bearing surfaces on the inflow side therefore reach end faces in a width direction of the slider.