AAB slider with improved particle sensitivity

A slider having a body for confronting a moving medium, the slider body comprising:

• a leading edge generally impinging fluid flow due to movement of the medium relative to the slider;
• a trailing edge;
• a cavity dam extending to the leading edge;
• first and second side rails extending rearward from the cavity dam along opposite sides of the slider;
• at least one sub-ambient cavity between the first and second side rails;
• an air bearing surface extending over a region on the cavity dam between the opposite sides from at least adjacent the at least one sub-ambient cavity to the leading edge, the air bearing surface being characterized by the absence of a channel that extends between the sides at or adjacent the leading edge;
• and
• a plurality of spaced-apart step level slots extending into the air bearing surface at the leading edge to admit fluid into a space adjacent the region of the air bearing surface on the cavity dam.

An AAB slider comprising:

• a slider body having a leading edge, a trailing edge and first and second opposite sides, the leading edge generally impinging fluid flow due to movement of a medium relative to the slider;
• a cavity dam extending to the leading edge;
• first and second side rails extending rearward from the cavity dam along opposite sides of the slider;
• at least one sub-ambient cavity between the first and second side rails;
• a continuous air bearing surface extending over a region on the cavity dam between the opposite sides from at least adjacent the at least one sub-ambient cavity to the leading edge;
• and
• a plurality of spaced-apart step level slots extending into the air bearing surface at the leading edge to admit fluid into a space adjacent the region of the air bearing surface on the cavity dam.