Process for forming a simplified self-loading head slider

摘要

The present invention is a subambient pressure air bearing slider having a slider body with a leading edge, a trailing edge and first and second side edges. First and second side rails are positioned along the first and second side edges, respectively, with each side rail defining an air bearing surface. The cavity dam extends between the first and second side rails and is recessed from the bearing surfaces. A subambient pressure cavity extends between the first and second side rails adjacent the cavity dam. The leading edge taper is formed along the leading edge and has a surface extending from the leading edge to an intersection with the air bearing surfaces of the first and second side rails. First and second side walls are formed within the leading edge taper between the first and second side edges. The first and second side walls converge towards the leading edge from the intersection of the bearing surfaces and the leading edge taper. As a result, the flying characteristics of the slider are less sensitive to process variations which vary in height of the cavity dam.