Curvature adjustment of sliders by scribing of slider suspension

Abstract

A method for changing the curvature of an air bearing surface (ABS) of a slider after the slider is attached to a suspension. The method includes the step of scribing a surface of the suspension to alter the stress on the suspension to change the curvature of the suspension and thus cause a change in the curvature of the slider ABS. The method includes producing scribe lines by ablation and melting/resolidification of the suspension to alter the stress on the suspension, thereby also causing a change of curvature in the ABS. Scribing is performed within a scribe region, which is defined according to a slider footprint. The curvature of a suspension can be altered by scribing before the slider is attached to it thus adjusting the curvature of the suspension to reduce any undesirable slider curvature changes caused by the attachment process. The present invention also includes suspensions processed according to the method.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.