Process to tune the slider trailing edge profile
US6423240B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 7, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 23, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 7, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49048
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of altering the topography of a trailing edge of a slider is disclosed, the slider having a substrate surface, at least one magnetic recording head imbedded in an alumina undercoat, and a vertical axis relative to the substrate surface. The steps include first applying an alumina overcoat to at least the trailing edge, followed by lapping at least the trailing edge of the slider. The slider (or sliders) is then placed on a pallet that rotates, exposing the trailing edge to an ion beam. The ion beam is generated using an etchant gas such as Argon, or a mixture of gases such as Argon and Hydrogen, or Argon and CHF3. The trailing edge (or trailing edges) are then exposed at least once to the ion beam at a predetermined milling angle and predetermined time, the milling angle being the angle made by the ion beam relative to the vertical axis. The milling angle is typically between 0° and 85°.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.