Magnetoresistive element, method of manufacturing magnetoresistive element, magnetic head, and magnetic recording and reading apparatus

A magnetoresistive element comprising:

• a multilayer element including a first magnetic layer, a magnetization direction of the first magnetic layer being pinned, a nonmagnetic layer disposed on the first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer disposed in a first region on the nonmagnetic layer, a magnetization direction of the second magnetic layer being pinned and antiparallel to the magnetization direction of the first magnetic layer, and a third magnetic layer disposed in a second region that is different from the first region on the nonmagnetic layer near one of two opposite end faces of the nonmagnetic layer, a magnetization direction of the third magnetic layer being changeable by an external magnetic field,
• a lower face of the nonmagnetic layer being in contact with an upper face of the first magnetic layer,
• wherein A1 is a junction area between the nonmagnetic layer and the first magnetic layer, A2 is a junction area between the nonmagnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, and A3 is a junction area between the nonmagnetic layer and the third magnetic layer, and a relationship of A1>A2>A3 is satisfied.