Patent ID: 8743593

Claim:
A magnetoresistance effect element comprising; an amorphous non-magnetic metal layer, an orientation control layer formed over the non-magnetic metal layer, a tunnel magnetoresistance effect element formed above the orientation control layer and including a ferromagnetic free layer, a ferromagnetic pinned layer, and an insulation layer formed between the ferromagnetic free layer and the ferromagnetic pinned layer, a magnesium oxide passivation layer for covering the side wall of the tunnel magnetoresistance effect element, the side wall of the orientation control layer, and the side wall and the surface of the non-magnetic metal layer, an interlayer insulation layer for covering the magnesium oxide passivation layer, and a pair of electrode layers for flowing a current in a direction perpendicular to the film surface of the tunnel magnetoresistance effect element, wherein the insulation layer comprises a (001) oriented magnesium oxide, and wherein the magnesium oxide passivation layer has a (001) crystal face in a direction perpendicular to the film surface.