MAGNETORESISTIVE ELEMENT

A magnetoresistive element comprises an n-type emitter layer, a p-type base layer, and an n-type collector layer, the three layers being so arranged as to form a pn-junction with each other, an emitter ferromagnetic layer formed in contact with the n-type emitter layer, a base ferromagnetic layer formed in contact with the p-type base layer, a power source for applying, by way of the emitter ferromagnetic layer, a forward bias voltage between the n-type emitter layer and the p-type base layer, a power source for applying a backward bias voltage to the n-type collector layer and the p-type base layer and a power source for applying, by way of the base ferromagnetic layer, a bias voltage so as to inject minority carriers into the p-type base layer.