Partial-contact head-disk interface approach for high-density recording

An isolated-pad-type slider and a narrow-trailing-edge-type slider were designed and fabricated for partial-contact head-disk interface. Evaluation results showed that friction reduction is the key point for a partial-contact interface. A small isolated pad slider exhibited reduced off-track vibration and less aggressive disk lubricant depletion. Moreover, drive tests of a narrower-trailing-edge slider showed that it has the advantage of easier transition from contact to flying.