Patent ID: 6921587

Claim:
A magnetic sensing element comprising: a lower electrode layer; a multilayer film comprising a first antiferromagnetic layer, a pinned magnetic layer, a nonmagnetic material layer, and a first free magnetic layer deposited in that order on the lower electrode layer; a first insulating layer disposed on each end face in a track width direction of the multilayer film; a second free magnetic layer disposed over the first insulating layer and the first free magnetic layer; a second antiferromagnetic layer disposed on side regions of the second free magnetic layer, such that a portion of the second free magnetic layer is exposed in the track width direction between the second antiferromagnetic layers; a third antiferromagnetic layer disposed on the second free magnetic layer, wherein the second antiferromagnetic layer is disposed on both side regions of the third antiferromagnetic layer; a second insulating layer covering the second antiferromagnetic layers; and an upper electrode layer disposed over the second insulating layer and the exposed portion of the second free magnetic layer.