A magnetic thin film element is provided with a magnetoresistive film
including a first magnetic layer composed of a perpendicular magnetization
film, a second magnetic layer composed of a perpendicular magnetization
film having a higher coercive force than that of the first magnetic layer,
and a nonmagenetic layer interposed between the first magnetic layer and
the second magnetic layer. The resistance of the magnetoresistive film
varies depending on whether or not the magnetic spins of the first
magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer are in the same direction.