Magnetoresistive sensor element and method for reducing the angular error of a magnetoresistive sensor element

A method for minimizing an angle error of a magnetoresistive sensor element, comprising:

• providing a magnetoresistive layer system that is at least regionally striated when viewed from the top and operates on the basis of the giant magneto resistance effect according to the spin valve principle, wherein the magnetoresistive layer system includes a reference layer having a direction of magnetization substantially uninfluenced by a direction of an external magnetic field acting on the reference layer, wherein the magnetoresistive layer system provides a measuring signal that varies as a function of a measurement angle between a component of a field strength of the external magnetic field, said component lying in the plane of the layer system, and the direction of magnetization of the reference layer, and wherein the measurement angle is able to be ascertained from the measuring signal;
• and
• setting, when viewed from the top of the magnetoresistive layer system, a first angle between the direction of magnetization of the reference layer in the absence of the external magnetic field and the longitudinal direction of the magnetoresistive layer system in such a way that, in response to an influence of the external magnetic field having a defined field strength that is selected from a predefined work interval, the angle error of the magnetoresistive layer system is substantially minimal, the angle error being defined as the maximum difference between:
• a) the angle between the component of the field strength of the external magnetic field lying in the plane of the magnetoresistive layer system and the direction of magnetization of the reference layer when a negligibly weak external magnetic field is present;
• and b) the measurement angle, ascertained from the measuring signal, between the component, lying in the plane of the layer system, of the field strength of the external magnetic field over all possible directions of the external magnetic field, and the direction of magnetization of the reference layer.