Magnetic sensor and magnetic measurement method

Abstract

A magnetic sensor includes a magnetic detection unit including a magnetoresistance effect element having a pinned magnetic layer, a free magnetic layer, and an intermediate layer formed between the pinned magnetic layer and the free magnetic layer, a magnetic field calculation unit configured to calculate a measurement magnetic field based on an output of the magnetic detection unit, and a saturation magnetic field application unit configured to apply a magnetic field to the free magnetic layer in a direction of the measurement magnetic field to magnetically saturate the free magnetic layer. The magnetic field calculation unit calculates the measurement magnetic field based on a first output of the magnetic detection unit when the measurement magnetic field is applied to the free magnetic layer, and a second output of the magnetic detection unit when the free magnetic layer is magnetically saturated.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.