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Photoinduced Phase Transition in Infinite-Layer Nickelates
Zhen Yang1,2, Kui-Juan Jin1,2,3, Yulin Gan1
1Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|June 25, 2023
Summary
Researchers induced a quantum phase transition in NdNiO2 films using light, shifting from an insulating to a metallic state. This discovery offers new ways to control quantum materials and explore superconductivity in nickelates.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Quantum materials science
Background:
- Strongly correlated quantum materials exhibit complex electronic behaviors.
- Quantum phase transitions are driven by changes in electronic correlation.
- Kondo-Mott insulating states and their transitions are key research areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate photon-induced quantum phase transitions in infinite-layer NdNiO2 films.
- To explore the manipulation of electronic correlation via photoirradiation.
- To understand the emergence of metallic and superconducting-like states.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of infinite-layer NdNiO2 thin films.
- Photoirradiation to manipulate electron correlation.
- Magnetoresistance and Hall effect measurements to characterize transport properties.
Main Results:
- Observed a photon-induced transition from Kondo-Mott insulator to a metallic state.
- Reported a change in magnetoresistance from negative to positive.
- Identified a superconducting-like transition with a critical temperature up to ~42 K, dominated by electron transport.
Conclusions:
- Photoinduction is a viable method for controlling quantum phase transitions in Mott-like insulators.
- The study highlights the potential for superconductivity in electron-doped nickelates.
- Manipulating Ni-3d and Nd-5d electron correlation is crucial for these transitions.
