An air bearing slider which includes a raised bearing surface or surfaces
contoured to limit off nodal pressurization. The air bearing surfaces are
located proximate to nodal regions of a height field or profile between
the slider and disc surface to limit off-nodal pressurization. The air
bearing slider includes a narrow raised bearing surface profile proximate
to the trailing edge of the slider body and an expanded intermediate
profile along an intermediate portion to provide lift and roll stability
proximate to an intermediate nodal region of the slider body to limit off
nodal pressurization.