Magnetoresistive-effect element having electrode layers oppositely disposed on main surfaces of a magnetoresistive-effect thin film having hard magnetic bias layers with a particular resistivity

摘要

A first ferromagnetic layer is made to show a single magnetic domain to prevent any magnetic walls from appearing. A pair of bias layers 4 are made of a hard magnetic material showing a high resistivity are arranged at opposite ends of a TMR thin film 3. As a result, the sense current flowing through the TMR thin film 3 is prevented from diverting to the bias layers 4. Thus, a sufficiently strong bias magnetic field can be applied to the TMR thin film 3. As a result, the free layer 13 of the TMR thin film 3 is made to show a single magnetic domain to prevent any magnetic walls from appearing.