Magneto-resistive layer arrangement and gradiometer with said layer arrangement

A magnetoresistive layer system for use in one of a GMR sensor element, an AMR sensor element, and a gradiometer, the magnetoresistive layer system comprising:

• a layer sequence including at least two magnetic layers, wherein the at least two magnetic layers are magnetically soft layers made of a ferromagnetic material, and wherein a direction of magnetization in the magnetically soft layers is capable of being influenced by an external magnetic field;
• a non-magnetic electrically conductive intermediate layer arranged between the at least two magnetic layers;
• and
• at least one magnetically hard layer integrated in the magnetoresistive layer system at least in certain areas to apply a magnetic field to at least an area of a boundary surface between the at least two magnetic layers and the non-magnetic electrically conductive intermediate layer;
• wherein:
• the magnetic field of the at least one magnetically hard layer displaces an operating point in a characteristic curve of the magnetoresistive layer system, and
• an electrical resistance of the magnetoresistive layer system is changeable as a function of an external magnetic field acting on the magnetoresistive layer system.