Patent ID: 8432646

Claim:
A magnetic detection element including a magnetoresistive sensor multilayer film having a fixed layer whose magnetization direction is fixed, a free layer whose magnetization direction is changed in accordance with an external magnetic field, and a non-magnetic intermediate layer between the fixed layer and the free layer; current flowing in a perpendicular direction to a plane of the magnetoresistive sensor multilayer film; and the magnetic detection element comprising: an upper shield electrode and a lower shield electrode formed so as to sandwich the magnetoresistive sensor multilayer film in the top-bottom direction; magnetic domain control films formed at both sides of the magnetoresistive sensor multilayer film for applying bias fields to the free layer; a sensor multilayer film lower layer formed lower than the fixed layer, the free layer, and the non-magnetic intermediate layer, and having level differences, thicknesses thereof becoming smaller as getting away from the magnetoresistive sensor multilayer film; and insulating films formed in contact with the both side ends of the magnetoresistive sensor multilayer film having level differences such that thicknesses of the insulating films are formed thinner on the magnetoresistive sensor multilayer film side in accordance with the level differences of the sensor multilayer film lower layer, wherein the magnetic domain control films have about-horizontally-oriented portions of both upper and lower surfaces thereof positioned vertically above the sensor multilayer film lower layer.