Magnetoresistive effect element, and magnetic head and magnetic reproducing apparatus including the same

A magnetoresistive effect element, comprising:

• a magnetization fixed layer having a ferromagnetic film whose magnetization direction is fixed substantially in one direction;
• a magnetization free layer having a ferromagnetic film whose magnetization direction changes according to an external magnetic field;
• an intermediate layer having an insulation layer and a conduction part, the insulation layer being interposed between the magnetization fixed layer and the magnetization free layer, and the conduction part being disposed in the insulation layer so as to connect the magnetization fixed layer and the magnetization free layer and made of a magnetic metal material;
• and
• a pair of electrodes arranged so as to pass a sense current in a direction substantially perpendicular to film planes of the magnetization fixed layer, the intermediate layer, and the magnetization free layer,
• wherein the ferromagnetic film has a perpendicular orientation part and a non-perpendicular orientation part, the perpendicular orientation part being disposed above the conduction part, with crystal growth direction thereof substantially perpendicular to the film plane, and the non-perpendicular orientation part existing in a portion other than the perpendicular orientation part.