A slider fabrication assembly and method for making the same are provided.
A slider is formed on a substrate. A corrodible component of the slider
is exposed to an environment in contact with the slider. A kerf region of
the substrate is positioned adjacent to the slider. The kerf region is
removable from the slider. A sacrificial anode is embedded in the kerf
region and exposed to the environment. The sacrificial anode is
electrically coupled to the corrodible component of the slider thereby
forming an electrochemical cell. The sacrificial anode is less noble,
i.e., more corrodible, than the corrodible slider component, and thus
corrodes first. When the kerf region is removed, the corroded sacrificial
anode is removed as well.