Slider layer with similar coefficient of thermal expansion to transducer

Slider body 48 has an end layer 50 on the trailing face comprising a basecoat 52 and a centre rail 46 which has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is equivalent to that of the metallic layers of transducing head 34, such that protrusion of the head 34 does not vary with temperature. The end layer 50 and centre rail 46 may be of he same material which may comprise TiO2, MgO, Y2O3-ZrO2, BeO, Y2O3, or TiN. The coefficient of thermal expansion of end layer 52 may be greater than that of the substrate 48. A buffer layer (fig 4, 260) having a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of the substrate 48 but less than that of the end layer 50 may be provided between substrate 48 and end layer 50. The buffer layer (fig 4, 260) has a lower Young's modulus than either of the end layer 50 and the inelastic substrate 48 and serves to absorb any deformation between them.