Patent ID: 8098464

Claim:
A magnetic field detecting element comprising: first and second free layers whose magnetization directions change in accordance with an external magnetic field; a spacer layer that is sandwiched between said first and second free layers; a first exchange coupling transmitting layer 52 that is located adjacent to a surface of first free layer 53 , said surface of first free layer 53 being opposite to a surface of said first free layer 53 which is located adjacent to said spacer layer; a first pinned layer 51 which is provided such that said first pinned layer and said first free layer 53 sandwich said first exchange coupling transmitting layer 52 and which is exchange-coupled to first free layer 53 via said first exchange coupling transmitting layer 52 ; a second exchange coupling transmitting layer that is located adjacent to a surface of said second free layer, said surface of said second free layer being opposite to a surface of said second free layer which is located adjacent to said spacer layer; a second pinned layer which is provided such that said second pinned layer and said second free layer sandwich said second exchange coupling transmitting layer and which is exchange-coupled to said second free layer via said second exchange coupling transmitting layer; and a pair of bias magnetic layers which are provided on both sides of at least said first and second free layers with regard to a track width direction thereof, said pair of bias magnetic layers applying a bias magnetic field to said first and second free layers, wherein: said first and second pinned layers are magnetized in directions which are perpendicular to an air bearing surface and which are anti-parallel with each other, respectively; said first exchange coupling transmitting layer or second exchange coupling transmitting layer has a positive exchange coupling strength, while the other has a negative exchange coupling strength; and said first or second pinned layer that is located adjacent to said first or second exchange coupling transmitting layer having the negative exchange coupling strength has a larger magnetic film thickness than said first or, second free layer that is located adjacent to said first or second exchange coupling transmitting layer having the negative exchange coupling strength.