Side rail slider having improved fly height control

摘要

A slider is disclosed for use with a magnetic data recording system such as that used in computer systems. The slider has an improved air bearing design which allows placement of the read and write elements at an edge of the slider, while maintaining stable fly height at the location of the read and write sensors. Placing the read and write elements allows more of the surface area of the disk to be used by allowing the head to perform correctly while reading and writing data right up to the edge of the disk. Stable fly height of the slider is achieved by using a single pad at a corner of the trailing edge, the pad having the read and write elements therein. A stable flight profile is maintained through use of asymmetrical rails disposed longitudinally along lateral sides of the slider.