A magnetic sensing element comprising a composite film having a center portion
and two side portions, a second antiferromagnetic layer, a chromium nonmagnetic
layer, and third antiferromagnetic layers is provided. The composite film comprises
a first antiferromagnetic layer; a pinned magnetic layer on the first antiferromagnetic
layer; a nonmagnetic material layer on the pinned magnetic layer; and a free magnetic
layer on the nonmagnetic material layer. The second antiferromagnetic layer is
disposed on the free magnetic layer. The chromium nonmagnetic layer is disposed
on the second antiferromagnetic layer at the center portion. The third antiferromagnetic
layers are disposed on the second antiferromagnetic layer at the two side portions.
The magnetization direction in the two side portions of the free magnetic layer
is pinned in the track width direction and the magnetization direction in the center
portion is rotatable in response to external magnetic fields.
