Slider edge features

Abstract

A slider comprising a body having an air bearing surface (ABS), wherein the ABS extends between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the body. The slider comprises a transducer supported by the body and positioned near the trailing edge, wherein the transducer comprises a pole tip partially extending from the body. The slider comprises a surface defined in the body and forming the trailing edge, wherein the surface comprises a plurality of segments. A first segment of the plurality of segments extends from the ABS and is offset from a portion of the pole tip recessed within the body. The first segment is offset from the pole tip portion by a lesser extent than any other of the plurality of segments.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A slider, the slider comprising:
 a body having an air bearing surface (ABS), the ABS extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the body;   a transducer supported by the body and positioned near the trailing edge, the transducer comprising a pole tip partially extending from the body; and   a surface defined in the body and forming the trailing edge, the surface comprising a plurality of segments, a first segment of the plurality of segments extending from the ABS and offset from a portion of the pole tip recessed within the body, the first segment offset from the pole tip recessed portion by a lesser extent than any other of the plurality of segments, the first segment being less than 450 nm from the pole tip recessed portion.   
     
     
         2 . The slider of  claim 1  wherein the body comprises a single center pad forming the trailing edge, and wherein the trailing edge is formed of a portion of the single center pad comprising alumina. 
     
     
         3 . The slider of  claim 1  wherein a substantially uniform thickness of material is defined between the pole tip recessed portion and the first segment. 
     
     
         4 . The slider of  claim 3  wherein the material comprises alumina. 
     
     
         5 . The slider of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of segments comprises a second segment extending from the first segment, wherein the second segment extends from the first segment at an angle of greater than 90 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The slider of  claim 1  wherein the first segment runs substantially parallel to the pole tip recessed portion. 
     
     
         7 . A slider, the slider comprising:
 a body having an air bearing surface (ABS), the ABS extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the body;   a transducer supported by the body and positioned near the trailing edge, the transducer comprising a pole tip partially extending from the body; and   a surface defined in the body and forming the trailing edge, the surface comprising a plurality of segments, a first segment of the plurality of segments extending from the ABS and offset from a portion of the pole tip recessed within the body, the first segment offset from the pole tip recessed portion by a lesser extent than any other of the plurality of segments, a second segment of the plurality of segments extending from the first segment at an angle of greater than 90 degrees.   
     
     
         8 . The slider of  claim 7  wherein the body comprises a single center pad forming the trailing edge, and wherein the trailing edge is formed of a portion of the single center pad comprising alumina. 
     
     
         9 . The slider of  claim 7  wherein a substantially uniform thickness of material is defined between the pole tip recessed portion and the first segment. 
     
     
         10 . The slider of  claim 9  wherein the first segment runs substantially parallel to the pole tip recessed portion. 
     
     
         11 . The slider of  claim 9  wherein the material comprises alumina. 
     
     
         12 . The slider of  claim 7  wherein the angle of the second segment enables air to rise gradually as the air flows from under the ABS, so as to maintain fly height of the slider when the slider is flown above a recording medium. 
     
     
         13 . The slider of  claim 12  wherein the recording medium comprises a disc, and wherein the slider is part of a disc drive. 
     
     
         14 . The slider of  claim 7  wherein the first segment is less than 450 nm from the pole tip recessed portion. 
     
     
         15 . A method of shaping a trailing edge of a slider, the method comprising:
 encasing a transducer in alumina, the transducer on a wafer of ceramic material and including a pole tip;   forming a trench above an end of the pole tip; and   making a series of cuts into the alumina relative to a pole tip of the transducer to differentiate a slider head.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the ceramic material comprises AlTiC. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the transducer is a part of a plurality of transducers provided in one or more rows on the wafer. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the trench is one of a plurality of trenches each of which is consistently formed with respect to one of the transducer pole tips. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein each of the trenches is formed using an etching process. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein each of the trenches includes a first segment that runs substantially parallel to the corresponding pole tip and a second segment that extends from the first segment at an angle of greater than 90 degrees.