Patent ID: 6661221
Filing Date: 2003-12-09
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A magnetic field sensing element comprising:an underlayer formed on a substrate; a giant magnetoresistance element formed on the underlayer for detecting a change in a magnetic field; and an integrated circuit formed on the underlayer for carrying out predetermined arithmetic processing based on a change in a magnetic field detected by the giant magnetoresistance element, wherein the giant magnetoresistance element and the integrated circuit are formed on the same surface, and the giant magnetoresistance element is formed by repeatedly laminating a Fe (x) Co (1âˆ’x) layer (0&lE;x&lE;0.3) and a Cu layer, a film thickness of the Cu layers per layer being set to such a film thickness that causes the change rate of magnetoresistance in a layer of the Cu layers to be around a second peak, and protective films on the giant magnetoresistance element are formed by spin coating or by means of low-thermal plasma CVD method.