MAGNETIC SENSOR AND MAGNETIC ENCODER

摘要

Provided are a magnetic sensor and a magnetic encoder which have a preferable magnetic sensitivity for an external magnetic field in the sensitivity axis direction and an improved resistance against external turbulence of a magnetic field in a direction different from the sensitivity axis direction. The magnetic sensor includes a magnetism detection element having an electric resistance value changing for an external magnetic field in the sensitivity axis direction.  The magnetism detection element includes an element unit (10) having a layered structure formed by a first magnetic layer (31) and a second magnetic layer (33) which are layered via a non-magnetic layer (32).  Both of the first magnetic layer (31) and the second magnetic layer (33) can change magnetization fluctuations for the external magnetic field and are magnetized substantially in the anti-parallel direction in parallel to the sensitivity axis direction when in the non-magnetic field state.  An element unit (10) is formed in a prolonged shape having the sensitivity axis direction as a longitudinal direction.