Rigid disk slider micromachining challenges to meet microtribology needs

The air bearing surface (ABS) of a rigid disk drive recording head has to satisfy two tribological needs. For a head in transition during spin up or shut down the ABS has to allow either contact start stop (CSS) or ramp load/unload (LUL). The ABS also has to provide a stable flight attitude when a head is in operation. These tribological challenges translate into two sets of fabrication tasks: an ABS plane with a given surface geometry needs to be created as well as an ABS contour and depth profile. In slider fabrication these challenges are met by a combination of mechanical and physical micromachining processes.