Patent ID: 7428130

Claim:
A magnetoresistive element of a CPP type, comprising: a fixed magnetization layer, a non-magnetic metal layer, and a free magnetization layer that are stacked; and a diffusion prevention layer, wherein: the free magnetization layer includes CoMnAl; the diffusion prevention layer is provided between the non-magnetic metal layer and the free magnetization layer so as to prevent Mn included in the free magnetization layer from diffusing into the non-magnetic metal layer; and said CoMnAl has a composition within an area formed by connecting a first point ( 44 , 23 , 33 ), a second point ( 48 , 25 , 27 ), a third point ( 60 , 20 , 20 ), a fourth point ( 65 , 15 , 20 ), a fifth point ( 65 , 10 , 25 ), a sixth point ( 60 , 10 , 30 ), and the first point with straight lines in this order in a ternary composition diagram where coordinates of the composition are expressed as (Co content, Mn content, Al content) with each of the Co content, the Mn content, and the Al content being expressed in atomic percentage.