Patent ID: 7223485

Claim:
A magnetoresistive device, comprising: a magnetization pinned layer of which magnetization direction is substantially pinned to one direction; a magnetization free layer of which magnetization direction is changed in accordance with an external magnetic field; a nonmagnetic intermediate layer formed between the magnetization pinned layer and the magnetization free layer; and electrodes allowing a sense current to flow in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the stack including the magnetization pinned layer, the nonmagnetic intermediate layer and the magnetization free layer, at least one of the magnetization pinned layer and the magnetization free layer comprising a ferromagnetic layer, the ferromagnetic layer is substantially formed of an alloy represented by the general formula (A) given below: Fe 100-a Co a (A) where 10 at %≦a≦20 at %; and the alloy having a body-centered cubic crystal structure.