Magnetic sensor

A magnetic sensor comprising:

• a first detection unit for detecting a first component of an external magnetic field, the first component being in a direction parallel to a first direction;
• a second detection unit for detecting a second component of the external magnetic field, the second component being in a direction parallel to a second direction;
• a third detection unit for detecting a third component of the external magnetic field, the third component being in a direction parallel to a third direction;
• and
• a support for supporting the first to third detection units, wherein
• the first to third directions are orthogonal to each other,
• the support has a reference plane orthogonal to the third direction,
• the reference plane includes a first region, a second region, and a third region different from each other,
• the first region is a region formed by vertically projecting the first detection unit onto the reference plane,
• the second region is a region formed by vertically projecting the second detection unit onto the reference plane,
• the third region is a region formed by vertically projecting the third detection unit onto the reference plane,
• the first detection unit includes a first portion and a second portion located at different positions from each other,
• the second detection unit includes a third portion and a fourth portion located at different positions from each other,
• the first to fourth portions and the third detection unit each include at least one magnetic detection element,
• the third detection unit further includes a soft magnetic structure formed of a soft magnetic material,
• the first region includes a first partial region formed by vertically projecting the first portion onto the reference plane, and a second partial region formed by vertically projecting the second portion onto the reference plane,
• the second region includes a third partial region formed by vertically projecting the third portion onto the reference plane, and a fourth partial region formed by vertically projecting the fourth portion onto the reference plane,
• the first partial region and the fourth partial region are located on one side or opposite sides of the third region in a direction parallel to a first straight line, whereas the second partial region and the third partial region are located on one side or opposite sides of the third region in a direction parallel to a second straight line, the first straight line and the second straight line being two mutually orthogonal straight lines that pass through a centroid of the third region and are perpendicular to the third direction,
• each of the first and second portions generates a detection value corresponding to the first component of the external magnetic field, and
• each of the third and fourth portions generates a detection value corresponding to the second component of the external magnetic field.