Magnetic detecting element and magnetic sensor utilizing same

A magnetic detecting element used in a magnetic sensor embedding therein no permanent magnet, the magnetic detecting element comprising:

• a laminated structure where a fixed magnetic layer and a free magnetic layer are laminated through a non-magnetic material layer, wherein
• the fixed magnetic layer is a self-pinned type where a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer are laminated through a non-magnetic intermediate layer and the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer are antiparallelly magnetization-fixed, and the second magnetic layer is in contact with the non-magnetic material layer,
• the first magnetic layer is formed using FeCo serving as a material having a higher coercive force than the second magnetic layer,
• a film thickness of the first magnetic layer falls within a range greater than or equal to 10 Å and less than or equal to 17 Å, and is thinner than a film thickness of the second magnetic layer,
• a difference in magnetization amount between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer is substantially zero, and
• the non-magnetic intermediate layer is formed using Rh.