A magnetic sensor 1 includes a plurality of MR elements disposed in first to fourth areas. Each of the first to fourth areas includes a first end edge and a second end edge located at both ends in a first reference direction, and a third end edge and a fourth end edge located at both ends in a second reference direction. Each of the first and second end edges extends along the second reference direction. Each of the third and fourth end edges extends along a third reference direction. Each of the plurality of MR elements has a shape long in a direction different from each of the first reference direction, the second reference direction, and the third reference direction.

A magnetic sensor includes at least one sensor main body; a detection circuit provided on the at least one sensor main body, the detection circuit including a magnetic detection element; and a plurality of sensor terminals provided on the at least one sensor main body. The plurality of sensor terminals include a plurality of signal terminals and a plurality of power supply terminals. The plurality of signal terminals are all disposed on a side of one end of the at least one sensor main body. The plurality of power supply terminals include at least one first terminal disposed on the side of the one end of the at least one sensor main body, and a plurality of second terminals disposed on a side of another end of the at least one sensor main body.

A magnetic field detection apparatus includes first and second projections that are provided on a flat surface of a substrate and that each include first and second inclined surfaces. First and second MR films are provided on the first and second inclined surfaces, respectively. A first wiring line couples the first MR films provided on the respective first inclined surfaces of the first and second projections. A second wiring line couples the second MR films provided on the respective second inclined surfaces of the first and second projections. The first and second projections are adjacent in a first direction, with the first inclined surface of the first projection and the second inclined surface of the second projection opposed to each other in the first direction. One or more patterns are provided on the first inclined surface of the first projection, the second inclined surface of the second projection, or both.

A magnetic sensor includes an insulating layer including a flat portion and a protruding portion, a first MR element, and a second MR element. The protruding portion includes a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface. The first MR element is disposed on the first inclined surface. The second MR element is disposed on the second inclined surface. The protruding portion extends in a first direction parallel to a top surface of a substrate, and includes a plurality of recess portions each recessed in a direction parallel to the top surface of the substrate at an end of the protruding portion in the first direction.

A magnetic sensor includes a substrate including a top surface; an insulating layer disposed on the substrate, the insulating layer including first and second inclined surfaces each inclined with respect to the top surface of the substrate; and an MR element structure. An MR element is disposed on the first inclined surface or the second inclined surface. The MR element includes a bottom surface facing the first inclined surface or the second inclined surface, a top surface, and a first surface connecting the bottom surface and the top surface and including two steps.

A magnetic sensor includes a first insulating layer, a second insulating layer, a third insulating layer, a lower coil element located on an opposite side of the first insulating layer from the second insulating layer, and a second MR element. The second MR element includes a magnetization pinned layer and a free layer. The magnetization pinned layer and the free layer are located on an opposite side of the third insulating layer from the second insulating layer. The first and third insulating layers each contain a first insulating material. The second insulating layer contains a second insulating material.

A magnetic field detection apparatus includes a substrate, first and second projections, first and second MR films, and first and second wiring lines. The first and second projections are provided on a flat surface of the substrate and each include first and second inclined surfaces. The first and second MR films are provided on the first and second inclined surfaces, respectively. The first wiring line couples the first MR film on the first inclined surface of the first projection and the first MR film on the first inclined surface of the second projection to each other. The second wiring line couples the second MR film on the second inclined surface of the first projection and the second MR film on the second inclined surface of the second projection to each other. The first and second wiring lines intersect on the first inclined surface, the second inclined surface, or both.

A magnetic sensor includes an insulating layer, a first MR element, and a second MR element. The insulating layer includes a first layer and a second layer, and also includes first and second inclined surfaces formed across the first layer and the second layer. Each of the first and second MR elements includes a magnetization pinned layer and a free layer. The magnetization pinned layer and the free layer of the first MR element are disposed on the first inclined surface. The magnetization pinned layer and the free layer of the second MR element are disposed on the second inclined surface.

A magnetic sensor includes an insulating layer, a first MR element, and a second MR element. The insulating layer includes a protruding surface including first and second inclined surfaces. Each of the first and second MR elements includes a magnetization pinned layer and a free layer. The magnetization pinned layer and the free layer of the first MR element are disposed on the first inclined surface. The magnetization pinned layer and the free layer of the second MR element are disposed on the second inclined surface. The dimension of the protruding surface in a direction parallel to the Z direction is in the range of 1.4 .Math.m to 3.0 .Math.m.

A magnetic sensor includes an insulating layer including a protruding surface, a first MR element, and a second MR element. The first MR element is disposed on a first inclined surface of the protruding surface. The second MR element is disposed on a second inclined surface of the protruding surface. The protruding surface includes first to third curved surface portions. Each of the second and third curved surface portions is a curved surface protruding in a direction closer to the top surface of the substrate.