Patent ID: 7733611

Claim:
A magnetoresistance effect element comprising: a free layer composed of a ferromagnetic layer; a pinned layer composed of a ferromagnetic layer; at least one nano-contact portion disposed between the free layer and the pinned layer, an insulating layer formed of an insulating material and disposed between the free layer and the pinned layer, said insulating layer and said nano-contact portion forming an intermediate layer between the free layer and the pinned layer; and a conductive layer disposed on at least one of a portion between the free layer and the intermediate layer including the insulating layer and the nano-contact portion and a portion between the pinned layer and the intermediate layer including the insulating layer and the nano-contact portion wherein said nano-contact portion has a dimension, including at least one of a length in the layer lamination direction of the magnetoresistance effect element and a length in a direction normal to the layer lamination direction, being not more than a mean free path, and said nano-contact portion is provided, in an inside portion thereof, with a magnetic wall composed of one of a Bloch magnetic wall, a Neel magnetic wall and a combination wall thereof.