Atomic Lattice and Electronic Structure of Superconducting Nickelate Thin Films

ORAL

Abstract

The recent discovery of superconductivity in Sr-doped NdNiO2 is an important development for condensed matter physics [1]. Nominally similar in structure to the infinite-layer cuprate superconductors, the nickelates present a complementary platform for investigating the underlying physical mechanisms driving superconductivity in these systems. The stabilization of superconducting samples is, however, as yet limited to thin film geometries, raising the importance of spatially localized characterization techniques capable of probing only the regions of interest without contributions from the substrate. Here, we harness the high spatial and energy resolution achieved with scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) to explore both the lattice and electronic structure of these superconducting thin films. Structurally, the effects of different growth parameters are explored across several films within the nickelate series. Electronically, we investigate possible similarities to the cuprate superconductors.

[1] Li, et al. Nature 572, 624 (2019).

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Presenters

  • Berit Goodge

    Cornell University, Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University

Authors

  • Berit Goodge

    Cornell University, Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University

  • Danfeng Li

    Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Sciences, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA, SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Physics, Stanford University, Stanford University, Applied Physics, Stanford University

  • Kyuho Lee

    Physics, Stanford University, Stanford University

  • Motoki Osada

    Stanford University, Physics, Stanford University, Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University

  • Bai Yang Wang

    Department of Physics, Stanford University, Physics, Stanford University, Stanford University

  • Harold Hwang

    Institute for Materials and Energy Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford University, Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Applied Physics, Stanford University, SIMES, SLAC, Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Sciences, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA, SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Physics, Stanford University, Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Sciences, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

  • Lena Fitting Kourkoutis

    Cornell University, Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science