Patent ID: 7525772

Claim:
A magnetoresistive device comprising: a magnetoresistive film; and a pair of electrodes electrically connected to upper and lower film surfaces of the magnetoresistive film, wherein the magnetoresistive film comprises: a magnetization pinned film including a first ferromagnetic layer having magnetization substantially pinned in one direction; a magnetization free film including a second ferromagnetic layer whose magnetization rotates in accordance with an external magnetic field; an intermediate layer formed between the magnetization pinned film and the magnetization free film, the intermediate layer including an insulating film , and a columnar metal conduction portion formed within the insulating film to provide electrical conductivity between the magnetization pinned film and the magnetization free film; and a compound layer that is formed between the metal conduction portion and at least one of the magnetization pinned film and the magnetization free film, the compound layer including a compound having at least one of an electrovalent-bound characteristic and a covalently-bound characteristic.