Patent ID: 7402529

Claim:
A method of fabricating a self-aligned cladding region for use in a magnetoresistive memory device comprising the steps of: forming a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) device with a surface; forming a dielectric layer overlying the magnetoresistive random access memory device; forming a trench through the dielectric layer adjacent to the magnetoresistive random access memory device; forming sidewall spacers of one of a cladding material, or a combination of a cladding material and a barrier material, in the trench; forming a conductive line of conductive material in the trench, using the sidewall spacers, with an upper surface of the conductive line exposed; immersing the exposed upper surface of the conductive line for a time in a first ion bath containing dissolved ions of a first conductive material to form a first barrier layer on the exposed upper surface of the conductive line; and immersing the first barrier layer for a time in an electroless plating bath to form a flux concentrating layer on the first barrier layer, such that the flux concentrating layer is self-aligned with the first barrier layer and the conductive line.