It is made possible to provide a highly reliable magnetoresistive effect
element and magnetic memory that operate with low power consumption and
low current writing. The magnetoresistive effect element includes: a
magnetization free layer including at least two magnetic layers subject
to antiferromagnetic coupling and a non-magnetic layer provided between
the magnetic layers; a tunnel barrier layer provided on one surface of
the magnetization free layer; a first magnetization pinned layer provided
on an opposite surface of the tunnel barrier layer from the magnetization
free layer; a non-magnetic metal layer provided on an opposite surface of
the magnetization free layer from the tunnel barrier layer; and a second
magnetization pinned layer provided on an opposite surface of the
non-magnetic metal layer from the magnetization free layer. The first and
second magnetization pinned layers are substantially the same in
magnetization direction. The non-magnetic metal layer includes Cu, Ag,
Au, or an alloy of them. The non-magnetic layer in the magnetization free
layer includes Ru, Rh, Ir or an alloy of them.