The present invention provides a spin valve magnetic detecting element
having large .DELTA.R. The positive or negative sign of the .beta. value
of a magnetic material constituting each of a first free magnetic
sub-layer, a second free magnetic sub-layer and a pinned magnetic layer is
defined so that the resistance values for spin-up conduction electrons are
smaller than the resistance values for spin-down conduction electrons in
all magnetic layers when magnetization of a free magnetic layer is changed
to minimize the resistance value. In this case, the change .DELTA.R in
resistance of the magnetic detecting element can be increased.
