Abstract: An amorphous soft magnetic alloy powder which is produced by a water atomization method is provided. The powder contains an amorphous phase having a temperature interval ?Tx of a supercooled liquid of 20K or more; having a hardness Hv of 1000 or less; is provided with a layer with a high concentration of Si at a surface portion thereof; and being represented by the following composition formula: Fe100?a?b?x?y?z?w?tCOaNibMxPyCzBwSit And M is one or two or more elements selected from Cr, Mo, W, V, Nb, Ta, Ti, Zr, Hf, Pt, Pd, and Au.

Abstract: An amorphous soft magnetic alloy powder which is produced by a water atomization method is provided. The powder contains an amorphous phase having a temperature interval ?Tx of a supercooled liquid of 20K or more; having a hardness Hv of 1000 or less; is provided with a layer with a high concentration of Si at a surface portion thereof; and being represented by the following composition formula: Fe100-a-b-x-y-z-w-tCOaNibMxPyCzBwSit And M is one or two or more elements selected from Cr, Mo, W, V, Nb, Ta, Ti, Zr, Hf, Pt, Pd, and Au.

Abstract: A magneto-impedance element, showing a change in impedance in response to an external magnetic field when an alternating current is applied, is composed of a glassy alloy. The glassy alloy is composed of at least one base metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co and Ni; at least one additional metal selected from the group consisting of Zr, Nb, Ta, Hf, Mo, Ti and V; and B. The glassy alloy has a temperature region &Dgr;Tx, of the supercooling liquid zone of 20° C. or more which is represented by the equation &Dgr;Tx=Tx−Tg wherein Tx is the crystallization temperature and Tg is the glass transition temperature. A magnetic head, a thin film magnetic head, an azimuth sensor and an autocanceler are provided with the MI element.