Negative pressure slider with optimized leading pocket for profile control

A data storage device comprising:

• a recording medium for storing information;
• a transducer;
• a negative pressure air bearing slider for carrying said transducer, said slider including a leading edge, a trailing edge, first and second side edges, and a substantially planar air bearing surface, said air bearing surface comprising:
• at least one TE pocket of predetermined width and predetermined depth defined by a first generally U-shaped rail including a first cross rail substantially parallel to said trailing edge, and a first pair of side rails extending from said first cross rail in the direction of said trailing edge, and
• at least one LE pocket defined by a second generally U-shaped rail including a second cross-rail substantially parallel to said leading edge, and a second pair of side rails extending from said second cross rail in the direction of said leading edge, wherein the depth of said LE pocket is the same as said predetermined depth of said TE pocket, and wherein the width of said LE pocket is less than said predetermined width of said TE edge pocket;
• means for selectively positioning said transducer proximate to said recording medium;
• means for providing relative motion between said transducer and said recording medium;
• and
• means for transferring information between said transducer and said recording medium, said information being provided from or to a host device linkable to said data storage device;
• wherein said negative pressure air bearing slider maintains a substantially constant distance between said transducer and said relatively moving recording medium for improved reliability of said transferred information, and hence, for improved performance of said data storage device.