Inventors:
Srinivasan K. Ganapathi - Goleta CA
Tim O. Cheung - Santa Barbara CA
Paul D. Frank - Santa Barbara CA
Robert B. Love - Santa Barbara CA
Allan F. Rice - Santa Barbara CA
Paul W. Smith - Santa Barbara CA
Assignee:
Applied Magnetics Corp. - Goleta CA
International Classification:
G11B 560, G11B 5187
Abstract:
A slider of the type for use with a rotatable magnetic disk is disclosed. The slider has two ends and a bottom surface which includes an air bearing surface. An adhesive layer and continuous coating of carbon is located on the air bearing surface. A method of sputter depositing this continuous layer of carbon upon the air bearing surface of the slider is also provided. The continuous layer of carbon is crown-shaped and deposited using the sputtering technique. The carbon is directed from a source at the air bearing surface of a slider. A mask is placed between the source and slider so that the carbon is deposited in a crown shape. When the slider is viewed from front to rear the maximum depth of the coating is less than about 6 to 10 nm, while at the ends of the slider the coating depth is near 0 nm. The resistivity of the protective carbon layer is controlled for the additional benefit of protection from damages by electrostatic discharge.