Patent ID: 7046489

Claim:
A magnetoresistance effect element comprising: a magnetoresistance effect film including a magnetization fixed layer having a ferromagnetic film in which the direction of magnetization is substantially fixed to one direction, a magnetization free layer having a ferromagnetic film in which the direction of magnetization varies in response to an external magnetic field, and a non-magnetic intermediate layer provided between the magnetization fixed layer and the magnetization free layer; a pair of electrodes which are electrically connected to the magnetoresistance effect film and configured to apply a current in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the magnetoresistance effect film; and a resistance regulating layer containing an oxide, a nitride, a fluoride, a carbide or a boride and having a hole or holes provided with metal therein; the resistance regulating layer formed in the non-magnetic intermediate layer or on the interface between the non-magnetic intermediate layer and at least one of the magnetization fixed layer and the magnetization free layer, two adjacent layers which contact the resistance regulating layer having an electric conduction substantially limited to conduction through the hole or the holes of the resistance regulating layer, and the ferromagnetic film of at least one of the magnetization fixed layer and the magnetization free layer comprising at least a first magnetic layer formed of Fe or an Fe base alloy.