Air bearing collision dynamics

The dynamic response of sliders with different air bearing designs, following a controlled collision with an asperity, is reported. Systematic differences are found between air bearings with continuous positive pressure bearing surfaces running from the leading to trailing edge of the slider (so-called continuous rail designs) and some of those with separate positive pressure bearing features at the leading and trailing edges of the slider (so-called island-type designs). Particular island-type designs are found to be more susceptible to flying height modulation during the collision and, under certain conditions, appear to exhibit at least one additional head-disk contact after the slider has moved past the asperity. The results have consequences for reliability, especially in systems where the slider flies below the disk glide height.