Patent ID: 7298596

Claim:
A magneto-resistance effect element comprising: a lower conductive layer; a fixed layer provided on the lower conductive layer and having a pinned orientation of magnetization; a first non-magnetic layer provided on the fixed layer; a free layer provided on the non-magnetic layer and having an orientation of magnetization varied by a magnetic field applied thereto, the fixed layer, the first non-magnetic layer and said free layer forming a patterned stack; an insulation layer formed over the lower conductive layer to bury the patterned stack, the insulation layer having a recess formed about the patterned stack; a vertical bias layer formed in the recess of the insulation layer; a first magnetic layer provided on the patterned stack and extending over said vertical bias layer, the first magnetic layer extending beyond the fixed layer, the first non-magnetic layer and the free layer; and a second magnetic layer provided on the first magnetic layer and magnetically coupled to the first magnetic layer; wherein the vertical bias layer under the first magnetic layer applies a magnetic field to said first and second magnetic layers so that 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.