Patent ID: 8372661

Claim:
A method of forming a MRAM MTJ on a substrate, comprising: (a) sequentially forming a seed layer, AFM layer, and a pinned layer on said substrate, said pinned layer has an AP2/coupling layer/AP1 configuration wherein the AP2 layer is formed on an AFM layer and the AP1 layer contacts a MgO tunnel barrier layer; (b) forming a crystalline MgO tunnel barrier having a crystal orientation on the AP1 pinned layer by a process sequence comprising: (1) depositing a first Mg layer that contacts the AP1 layer; (2) performing a ROX method to convert said first Mg layer to a MgO layer; and (3) depositing a second Mg layer on the MgO layer; (c) forming a free layer consisting of a FeB x layer, or a composite with a Fe/CoFeB/Fe composition on the MgO tunnel barrier where x is between 0 and about 5 atomic %; and (d) forming a capping layer on the FeB x or Fe/CoFeB/Fe free layer.