Patent ID: 7012790

Claim:
A magnetic head comprising, a magnetoresistive device including a laminate structure in which a non-magnetic layer is interposed between a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer, a yoke for introducing an external magnetic field from a magnetic gap to the magnetoresistive device; a current introducing part for allowing current to flow between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer via the non-magnetic layer; a measuring part for detecting a change in resistance occurring between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer in accordance with a relative magnetization angle between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer that is changed by the external magnetic field induced via the yoke; and a substrate over which the magnetoresistive device and the yoke are formed, wherein a magnetic layer that is either one selected from the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer and in which magnetization rotation is caused more easily by external magnetization than in the other magnetic layer comprises at least two magnetic films and at least one non-magnetic film that are laminated alternately, a thickness of the non-magnetic film is not less than 2 nm and not more than 10 nm, and magnetization directions of the pair of adjacent magnetic films via the non-magnetic film are substantially parallel or substantially antiparallel in no magnetic field.