Texture structure for optimizing head disc interface

A data head supporting a transducer for read or write operations comprising:

• a slider, including at least one transducer supported by the slider;
• and
• the slider including means for head-disc contact interface having a surface roughness characterized by fine pitch projections having a projection pitch d of approximately <1.0 μm, a relatively smooth roughness height having a roughness average Ra of approximately 1.0 nm or less and having a ratio σ/R greater than or equal to approximately 1.0×10−5 where σ is a root mean square of the heights of the projections and R is an average value of a radius of curvature of projection summits.

A head-disc interface for digital recording comprising:

• a data head including a transducer element;
• and
• at least one head disc interface surface having a fine pitch surface roughness including fine pitch projections having a relatively smooth roughness height having a roughness average Ra of approximately 1.0 nm or less and projection pitch of approximately d<1.0 μm, the fine pitch surface roughness characterized by a ratio σ/R greater than or equal to approximately 1.0×10−5 where σ is a root mean square of the heights of the projections and R is an average value of a radius of curvature of projection summits and the fine pitch surface roughness is formed using interference lithography.