Optimization of slider air bearing contours using the combined genetic algorithm-subregion approach

A hybrid optimization approach, the combined genetic algorithm-subregion method, which combines the advantage of the genetic algorithm and the subregion approach, is presented. Using a binary string to represent a selected design space, the combined genetic algorithm-subregion method adopts the genetic algorithm to perform the optimization process. Starting from a pico slider design originally flying at 14 nm, optimized designs were obtained for sliders with target flying heights of 7, 5 and 3.5 nm, respectively. The results show that the combined genetic algorithm-subregion method has good convergence with a substantial reduction of computation time.