Air bearing slider having optimized etch depth ratio

An air bearing slider for supporting a transducer over a moving recording medium wherein said air bearing slider lifts off from said recording medium with a predetermined take-off velocity when said recording medium begins to move, said air bearing slider comprising:

• a first pad having a first ramp surface for compressing air flow incident on said first pad, said first pad defining a negative pressure region of said slider;
• a second pad having a second ramp surface for compressing air flow incident on said second pad;
• and
• a third pad having a third ramp surface for compressing air flow incident on said third pad;
• wherein said second and third ramp surfaces are formed at a first etch depth and said negative pressure region is formed at a second etch depth such that the etch depth ratio of said first etch depth to said second etch depth provides said air bearing slider with a take-off velocity ratio that is greater than or equal to 100%.

An air bearing slider for supporting a transducer over a moving recording medium that can lift off said recording medium with a predetermined take-off velocity when said recording medium begins to move, said air bearing slider comprising:

• at least one rail provided with a first etched region along a side edge, said first etched region having a first etch depth;
• and
• a second etched region having a second etch depth;
• wherein an etch depth ratio of said first etch depth to said second etch depth provides said air bearing slider with a take-off velocity ratio that is greater than or equal to 80%.

An air bearing slider for supporting a transducer over a moving recording medium that can lift off said recording medium with a predetermined take-off velocity when said recording medium begins to move, said air bearing slider comprising:

• a first etched region having a first etch depth that is greater than or equal to approximately 50 nanometers;
• and
• a second etched region having a second etch depth;
• wherein an etch depth ratio of said first etch depth to said second etch depth provides said air bearing slider with a take-off velocity ratio that is greater than or equal to approximately 70%.

An air bearing slider for supporting a transducer over a moving recording medium that can lift off said recording medium with a predetermined take-off velocity when said recording medium begins to move, said air bearing slider comprising:

• a first etched region having a first etch depth;
• and
• a second etched region having a second etch depth that is greater than or equal to approximately 500 nanometers;
• wherein an etch depth ratio of said first etch depth to said second etch depth provides said air bearing slider with a take-off velocity ratio that is greater than or equal to 70%.