Patent ID: 8665568

Claim:
A magnetic sensor comprising: a nonmagnetic conductive layer; a free magnetization layer disposed on a first part of the nonmagnetic conductive layer; a fixed magnetization layer disposed on a second part of the nonmagnetic conductive layer different from the first part; upper and lower first magnetic shield layers opposing each other through the nonmagnetic conductive layer and free magnetization layer interposed therebetween; upper and lower second magnetic shield layers opposing each other through the nonmagnetic conductive layer and fixed magnetization layer interposed therebetween; a first electrically insulating layer disposed between the lower second magnetic shield layer and nonmagnetic conductive layer; and a first electrode layer for electrically connecting the lower second magnetic shield layer and nonmagnetic conductive layer to each other; wherein the fixed magnetization layer and first electrode layer oppose each other through the nonmagnetic conductive layer; wherein the first electrode layer overlaps a part of the fixed magnetization layer in a first plane parallel to a bottom surface of the fixed magnetization layer on a free magnetization layer side; and wherein a part of the first electrically insulating layer overlaps a part of the fixed magnetization layer in a second plane parallel to the bottom of the fixed magnetization layer, on a side opposite from the free magnetization layer side.