Patent ID: 7598579

Claim:
An MTJ element for reducing spin-transfer magnetization switching current in a magnetic device, comprising: a pinned layer having an AP2/coupling layer/AP1 configuration wherein the AP2 layer is formed on an AFM layer and the AP1 layer is a composite made of a lower amorphous CoFeB layer and an upper crystalline CoFe layer; a crystalline MgO tunnel barrier formed on the upper crystalline CoFe AP1 pinned layer; an amorphous CoFeB free layer formed on the MgO tunnel barrier, both of said amorphous lower AP1 CoFeB layer and amorphous CoFeB free layer have an identical composition represented by Co x Fe y B z where x is from about 40 to 60 atomic %, y is from about 20 to 40 atomic %, and z is from about 15 to 25 atomic %; and a composite capping layer formed on the CoFeB free layer wherein the composite capping layer is comprised of a lower layer that contacts the free layer and an upper layer, and said lower layer is made of a metal having an oxidation potential greater than that of Co, Fe, and Ta to provide a high oxygen gettering capability.