Patent ID: 7369375

Claim:
A magneto-resistance effect element comprising: a lower electrically conductive layer; a first magnetic layer; a second magnetic layer provided on the lower electrically conductive layer, said first magnetic layer being provided on the second magnetic layer and magnetically coupled to the second magnetic layer; a free layer provided on the first magnetic layer, magnetically coupled to the first magnetic layer, and having an orientation of magnetization varied by a magnetic field applied thereto; a first non-magnetic layer provided on the free layer; a fixed layer provided on the first non-magnetic layer and having a pinned orientation of magnetization; and a vertical bias layer for applying a magnetic field to said second magnetic layer, wherein at least part of said second magnetic layer is in direct contact with said vertical bias layer and a sense current for detecting a change in electrical resistance of said first non-magnetic layer flows substantially in perpendicular relation to said first non-magnetic layer.