Published in

American Association for the Advancement of Science, Science Advances, 20(9), 2023

DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf6655

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Effects of rare-earth magnetism on the superconducting upper critical field in infinite-layer nickelates

This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

The search for superconductivity in infinite-layer nickelates was motivated by analogy to the cuprates, and this perspective has framed much of the initial consideration of this material. However, a growing number of studies have highlighted the involvement of rare-earth orbitals; in that context, the consequences of varying the rare-earth element in the superconducting nickelates have been much debated. Here, we show notable differences in the magnitude and anisotropy of the superconducting upper critical field across the La-, Pr-, and Nd-nickelates. These distinctions originate from the 4 f electron characteristics of the rare-earth ions in the lattice: They are absent for La 3+ , nonmagnetic for the Pr 3+ singlet ground state, and magnetic for the Nd 3+ Kramer’s doublet. The unique polar and azimuthal angle-dependent magnetoresistance found in the Nd-nickelates can be understood to arise from the magnetic contribution of the Nd 3+ 4 f moments. Such robust and tunable superconductivity suggests potential in future high-field applications.