Magnetic sensor and magnetic encoder

A magnetic sensor, comprising at least a first magnetoresistive effect element and a second magnetoresistive effect element that can detect an external magnetic field, wherein

• each of the first magnetoresistive effect element and the second magnetoresistive effect element includes at least a magnetic layer having a magnetization direction that varies according to the external magnetic field;
• the first magnetoresistive effect element has a first response characteristic;
• the second magnetoresistive effect element has a second response characteristic;
• the first response characteristic is a characteristic relative to a change of an output from the first magnetoresistive effect element with the change of the external magnetic field;
• the second response characteristic is a characteristic relative to a change of an output from the second magnetoresistive effect element with the change of the external magnetic field;
• and
• the first response characteristic and the second response characteristic are different from each other.

A magnetic sensor, comprising at least a first magnetic sensing element and a second magnetic sensing element that can detect an external magnetic field, wherein

• when the first magnetic sensing element and the second magnetic sensing element are viewed from an upper side of the first magnetic sensing element and the second magnetic sensing element, both have shapes that are different from each other;
• the first magnetic sensing element has a first response characteristic;
• the second magnetic sensing element has a second response characteristic;
• the first response characteristic is a characteristic relative to a change of an output from the first magnetic sensing element with the change of the external magnetic field;
• the second response characteristic is a characteristic relative to a change of an output from the second magnetic sensing element with the change of the external magnetic field;
• and
• the first response characteristic and the second response characteristic are different from each other.