"Unveiling the Missing Element: Exploring Absence"
In the ever-evolving world of materials science, where breakthroughs often lead to new avenues of exploration, a recent study published in Nature Materials has shed light on a curious phenomenon in the realm of infinite-layer nickelates. Giacomo Ghiringhelli, a renowned expert in the field, takes us on a captivating journey, weaving together the intricate tapestry of these materials and their striking similarities to the renowned cuprate superconductors.
The discovery of superconductivity in infinite-layer nickelates in 2019 has ignited a renewed interest among scientists, who now have the opportunity to make a direct comparison between these materials and their cuprate counterparts. As Ghiringhelli eloquently explains, the two families share an impressive number of physical properties, from their layered structure and spin-1/2 square lattice antiferromagnetism to the superconducting dome in the temperature/doping phase diagram and the strange-metal type of resistivity.
However, one key aspect that has remained a subject of debate is the presence of charge order, a phenomenon that has profound implications for the electronic and transport properties of both the normal and superconducting states in cuprates. Previous studies had reported the existence of charge order in undoped infinite-layer nickelates, a stark contrast to the cuprates, where charge order is always absent in the parent compounds.
Enter the work of Kyle Shen and his collaborators, who have tackled this conundrum head-on. Through meticulous control of sample quality, using advanced techniques such as molecular beam epitaxy and fine-tuning the reduction process, they have uncovered a remarkable finding: the absence of the characteristic superstructure peak associated with charge order in pristine NdNiO2 samples. This discovery not only resolves the previous discrepancies but also strengthens the similarities between nickelates and cuprates, further solidifying the potential of these materials as a new platform for exploring high-temperature superconductivity.
Ghiringhelli's insightful commentary delves into the broader implications of this work, highlighting the importance of charge order in understanding the complex electronic and magnetic properties of these materials. He astutely points out that while the undoped nickelates now align with the cuprates in this regard, the question of whether charge order emerges in the doped, superconducting phase remains an open and intriguing avenue for further investigation.
As the scientific community continues to unravel the mysteries of infinite-layer nickelates, this study serves as a testament to the power of meticulous experimentation and the relentless pursuit of understanding. Ghiringhelli's engaging narrative invites us to join in the excitement of this evolving field, where each discovery paves the way for new frontiers in materials science and the quest for ever-higher superconducting transition temperatures.
Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41563-024-01835-x
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