Method for controlling magnetic properties through ion diffusion in a magnetic junction usable in spin transfer torque magnetic random access memory applications

A method for providing a magnetic junction on a substrate usable in a magnetic device, the method comprising:

• providing a reference layer;
• providing a nonmagnetic spacer layer;
• providing a free layer, the nonmagnetic spacer layer being between the free layer and the reference layer, an interface being between the nonmagnetic spacer layer and the free layer, the step of providing the free layer further including applying at least one electric field while the free layer is at a local temperature above an operating temperature of the magnetic junction, the at least one electric field exerting a force on an anion in the free layer in a direction away from the interface between the free layer and the nonmagnetic spacer layer;
• wherein the magnetic junction is configured such that the free layer is switchable between a plurality of stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction.