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Nb and its compounds are widely used in quantum computing due to their high superconducting transition temperatures and high critical fields. Devices that combine superconducting performance and spintronic non-volatility could deliver unique functionality. Here we report the study of magnetic tunnel junctions with Nb as the heavy metal layers. An interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy energy density of 1.85 mJ/m²was obtained in Nb/CoFeB/MgO heterostructures. The tunneling magnetoresistance was evaluated in junctions with different thickness combinations and different annealing conditions. An optimized magnetoresistance of 120% was obtained at room temperature, with a damping parameter of 0.011 determined by ferromagnetic resonance. In addition, spin-transfer torque switching has also been successfully observed in these junctions with a quasistatic switching current density of 7.3$$\times \;10^{5}$$$\times {10}^5$A/cm².

As a promising alternative to the mainstream CoFeB/MgO system with interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA),L1₀‐FePd and its synthetic antiferromagnet (SAF) structure with large crystalline PMA can support spintronic devices with sufficient thermal stability at sub‐5 nm sizes. However, the compatibility requirement of preparingL1₀‐FePd thin films on Si/SiO₂wafers is still unmet. In this paper, high‐qualityL1₀‐FePd and its SAF on Si/SiO₂wafers are prepared by coating the amorphous SiO₂surface with an MgO(001) seed layer. The preparedL1₀‐FePd single layer and SAF stack are highly (001)‐textured, showing strong PMA, low damping, and sizeable interlayer exchange coupling, respectively. Systematic characterizations, including advanced X‐ray diffraction measurement and atomic resolution‐scanning transmission electron microscopy, are conducted to explain the outstanding performance ofL1₀‐FePd layers. A fully‐epitaxial growth that starts from MgO seed layer, induces the (001) texture ofL1₀‐FePd, and extends through the SAF spacer is observed. This study makes the vision of scalable spintronics more practical.