Superconductivity in Trilayer Nickelate La4Ni3O10-δ Single Crystals

July 18, 2024
a. Phase diagram of La4Ni3O10 under pressure. b. Combined refinement results using single crystal neutron and X-ray diffraction. c. Crystal structure at ambient conditions

Scientific Achievement

Emergence of superconductivity with a maximum Tc~30 K was realized in trilayer nickelates by applying high pressure at 69 Gpa.

Significance and Impact

Reveal a material platform to explore the interplay between the spin/charge order, flat band structures, interlayer coupling, strange metal behavior and high-temperature superconductivity. 

Research Details

  • Resistance, magnetic susceptibility, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were measured under high pressure on La4Ni3O10-δ crystals to reveal the structure and bulk properties of the superconducting phase at high pressures.
  • Single crystal neutron diffraction was used to characterize the structure symmetry and the precise oxygen occupancies in the La4Ni3O10-δ  crystal at the ambient pressure.

“Superconductivity in trilayer nickelate La4Ni3O10-d single crystals,” 
Y. Zhu, D. Peng, E. Zhang, B. Pan, X. Chen, L. Chen, H. Ren, F. Liu, Y. Hao, N. Li, Z. Xing, F. Lan, J. Han, J. Wang, D. Jia, H. Wo, Y. Gu, Y. Gu, L. Ji, W. Wang, H. Gou, Y. Shen, T. Ying, X. Chen, W. Yang, H. Cao, C. Zheng, Q. Zeng, J. Guo & J. Zhao, 
Nature, 631, 531 (2024). 
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07553-3