Programmable Air Bearing Sliders for Magnetic Storage

This paper introduces a novel approach for low flying sliders. The authors propose a slider with a programmable air bearing that permits it to be flown high or low on demand. This is achieved by changing the shape of the slider body with the use of piezoelectric materials. The design of the slider is presented along with simulation results that indicate a flying height change from 186 to 53 nm with a 80 volt excitation. Experimental data shows a slider changing height in 500 μsec under very stable conditions. The advantages of electrically controlled flying heights are discussed. Presented as a Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers paper at the ASME/STLE Tribology Conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, October 8–10, 1990