Patent ID: 7564661

Claim:
A magnetic sensing element including a pinned magnetic layer, in which the magnetization direction is pinned in one direction, and a free magnetic layer disposed on the pinned magnetic layer with a non-magnetic material layer therebetween, the magnetic sensing element characterized in that: the free magnetic layer includes a layer made of a metal compound represented by a compositional formula of (X 0.67 Y 0.33 ) a Z b (where a and b represent atomic percentages, and a+b=100 atomic percent) or X d Y e Z f (where d, e, and f represent atomic percentages, and d+e+f=100 atomic percent); and a region, in which the atomic percentage of the element Z in the metal compound is decreased with increasing proximity to the non-magnetic material layer side, is present in the free magnetic layer, wherein the X is at least one element of Cu, Co, Ni, Rh, Pt, Au, Pd, Ir, Ru, Ag, Zn, Cd, and Fe, the Y is at least one element of Mn, Fe, Ti, V, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, Cr, Co, and Ni, and the Z is at least one element of Al, Sn, In, Sb, Ga, Si, Ge, Pb, and Zn.