A magnetoresistive random-access memory cell includes a templating layer. The templating layer includes a binary alloy having an alternating layer lattice structure. The cell further includes a half metallic half-Heusler layer including a half metallic half-Heusler material having a tetragonal lattice structure. The half metallic half-Heusler layer is located outward of the templating layer, and has a half-Heusler in-plane lattice constant that is different from an in-plane lattice constant in a cubic form of the half metallic half-Heusler material. A tunnel barrier is located outward of the half metallic half-Heusler layer, and a magnetic layer is located outward of the tunnel barrier.