MAGNETIC SENSOR, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING MAGNETIC SENSOR, AND CURRENT SENSOR

摘要

Provided is a magnetic sensor (1) which is equipped with: a magnetoresistance element (11) wherein fixed magnetic layers (21) are stacked on a free magnetic layer (23) with a nonmagnetic material layer (22) therebetween; and an anti-ferromagnetic layer (24) on the opposite side of the free magnetic layer from the side facing the nonmagnetic material layer, said anti-ferromagnetic layer (24) generating an exchange coupling bias with the free magnetic layer to align the direction of magnetization of the free magnetic layer in a predetermined direction in a magnetization-variable state. A ferromagnetic layer (25) is disposed on the opposite side of the anti-ferromagnetic layer from the side facing the free magnetic layer and generates an exchange coupling bias with the anti-ferromagnetic layer to align the direction of magnetization of the same in a predetermined direction in a magnetization-variable state. The direction of magnetization based on the exchange coupling bias generated in the free magnetic layer is a direction that is equal to the direction of magnetization based on the exchange coupling bias generated in the ferromagnetic layer. The ferromagnetic layer can impart to the free magnetic layer a reflux magnetic field having a component that is in a direction along a sensitive axis (D2).