Silicon slider for magnetic recording fabricated by an alkaline etch

A slider for use in magnetic recording, comprising:

• a slider body constructed of single crystal Si, the slider body having an ABS surface, the slider body having a (111) crystalline structure along a plane parallel with the ABS surface;
• a trailing end surface formed on the slider body, the trailing end surface being substantially perpendicular to the ABS surface;
• and
• a read/write head formed on the trailing end surface of the slider body.

A disk drive system, comprising:

• a housing;
• a magnetic disk rotatably mounted within the housing;
• an actuator pivotally mounted within the housing;
• a slider connected with the actuator for movement adjacent to a surface of the magnetic disk;
• the slider further comprising:
• a slider for use in magnetic recording, comprising:
• a slider body constructed of Si, the slider body having an ABS surface, the slider body having a (111) crystalline structure along a plane parallel with the ABS surface;
• a trailing end surface formed on the slider body, the trailing end surface being substantially perpendicular to the ABS surface;
• and
• a read/write head formed on the trailing end surface of the slider body.

A method for manufacturing a slider for magnetic recording, comprising:

• providing a crystalline Si wafer having a surface and a (111) crystalline plane perpendicular to the surface;
• forming a mask on the surface, the mask having an opening defining a trench oriented along the (111) crystalline plane;
• and
• exposing the wafer to an etchant.