We examine the bulk electronic structure of using Ni core-level hard x-ray photoemission spectroscopy combined with density functional theory dynamical mean-field theory. Our results reveal a large deviation of the Ni occupation from the formal valency, highlighting the importance of the charge transfer from oxygen ligands. We find that the dominant configuration is accompanied by nearly equal contributions from and states, exhibiting an unusual valence state among Ni-based oxides. Finally, we discuss the Ni and orbital-dependent hybridization, correlation and local spin dynamics. Published by the American Physical Society2025
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This content will become publicly available on May 1, 2026
Superconductivity in the Parent Infinite-Layer Nickelate NdNiO2
We report evidence for superconductivity with onset temperatures up to 11 K in thin films of the infinite-layer nickelate parent compound . A combination of oxide molecular beam epitaxy and atomic hydrogen reduction yields samples with high crystallinity and low residual resistivities, a substantial fraction of which exhibit superconducting transitions. We survey a large series of samples with a variety of techniques, including electrical transport, scanning transmission electron microscopy, x-ray absorption spectroscopy, and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering, to investigate the possible origins of superconductivity. We propose that superconductivity could be intrinsic to the undoped infinite-layer nickelates but suppressed by disorder due to a possibly sign-changing order parameter, a finding which would necessitate a reconsideration of the nickelate phase diagram. Another possible hypothesis is that the parent materials can be hole doped from randomly dispersed apical oxygen atoms, which would suggest an alternative pathway for achieving superconductivity. Published by the American Physical Society2025
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- Award ID(s):
- 2039380
- PAR ID:
- 10597697
- Publisher / Repository:
- APS
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Physical Review X
- Volume:
- 15
- Issue:
- 2
- ISSN:
- 2160-3308
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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