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Paramagnetically driven superconducting re-entrance in Eu-doped infinite layer nickelates
Lucia Varbaro1, Lukas Korosec2, Chih-Ying Hsu2,3
1Department of Quantum Matter Physics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. lucia.varbaro@unige.ch.
Nature Communications
|June 19, 2026
Summary
Re-entrant superconductivity in Eu-doped NdNiO2 arises from competing magnetic rare earth ions. Their influence on magneto-transport is only observed when polarized by a magnetic field.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Superconductivity
Background:
- Superconductivity in infinite-layer nickelates is a recent breakthrough, opening new research avenues.
- Efforts focus on enhancing critical temperature, understanding electronic structure, pairing mechanisms, and cuprate similarities.
- Nickelates (Ni1+) are isoelectronic to cuprates (Cu2+), suggesting potential parallels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of magnetic rare earth ions in superconducting Eu-doped NdNiO2.
- To explore field-induced re-entrant superconductivity in this material.
- To elucidate the interplay between magnetic ions and superconducting properties.
Main Methods:
- Experimental analysis of the extraordinary Hall effect.
- Modeling of superconducting critical fields.
- Investigation of magnetic rare earth ion polarization effects.
Main Results:
- Evidence of field-induced re-entrant superconductivity in Eu-doped NdNiO2.
- Demonstration of a delicate balance between competing Eu2+ and Nd3+ ion effects.
- Magneto-transport influence of rare earth ions is contingent on magnetic field polarization.
Conclusions:
- The observed re-entrant superconductivity is attributed to the competing magnetic effects of Eu2+ and Nd3+ ions.
- The magnetic rare earth ions modulate magneto-transport properties only when polarized by an external magnetic field.
- This study highlights the intricate relationship between magnetism and superconductivity in novel nickelate systems.
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