Superconductivity in Freestanding Infinite-Layer Nickelate Membranes

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• Superconductivity Research

Background:

• Superconductivity in infinite-layer nickelates is a significant area of research for high-temperature superconductivity.
• Current observations are limited to epitaxial thin films, restricting material manipulation and modulation.
• Freestanding membranes offer unique strain tunability and stacking capabilities for material engineering.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize freestanding superconducting nickelate membranes for enhanced superconductivity studies.
• To explore novel methods for engineering superconductivity and uncovering underlying physics.
• To establish a versatile platform for investigating pairing symmetry and critical temperature enhancement.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of freestanding La$_{0.8}$Sr$_{0.2}$NiO$_{2}$ membranes.
• Interface engineering during precursor phase film growth.
• Rapid transfer process for achieving superconductivity in freestanding membranes.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of superconducting freestanding La$_{0.8}$Sr$_{0.2}$NiO$_{2}$ membranes.
• Demonstration of the critical role of interface engineering and transfer process.
• Establishment of a new platform for superconductivity research in nickelates.

Conclusions:

• Freestanding nickelate membranes provide a novel platform for manipulating and studying superconductivity.
• This approach facilitates investigations into pairing symmetry using Josephson tunneling junctions.
• Potential for achieving higher critical temperatures through high-pressure experiments on these membranes.