Patent ID: 7808747

Claim:
A magnetoresistive effect element, comprising: a fixed magnetization layer of which magnetization direction is practically fixed in one direction; a free magnetization layer of which magnetization direction changes with respect to an external magnetic field; a nonmagnetic spacer layer that is disposed between the fixed magnetization layer and the free magnetization layer, and includes a first insulating layer, and a first current path which penetrates through the first insulating layer; and an insertion layer which is disposed on an opposite side of the free magnetization layer from the nonmagnetic spacer layer, wherein the first insulating layer has an oxide, a nitride, or an oxynitride including at least one kind of element selected from a group constituted of Al (aluminum), Si (silicon), Mg (magnesium), Ta (tantalum) and Zn (zinc) as a major constituent, and the insertion layer has an oxide, a nitride, or an oxynitride including at least one kind of element selected from a group constituted of Al (aluminum), Si (silicon), Mg (magnesium), Ta (tantalum) and Zn (zinc) as a major constituent.