Charge density waves in infinite-layer NdNiO2 nickelates

In materials science, much effort has been devoted to the reproduction of superconductivity in chemical compositions, analogous to cuprate superconductors since their discovery over 30 years ago. This approach was recently successful in realising superconductivity in infinite-layer nickelates(1-6). Although differing from cuprates in electronic and magnetic properties, strong Coulomb interactions suggest that infinite-layer nickelates have a propensity towards various symmetry-breaking orders that populate cuprates(7-10). Here we report the observation of charge density waves (CDWs) in infinite-layer NdNiO2 films using Ni L-3 resonant X-ray scattering. Remarkably, CDWs form in Nd 5d and Ni 3d orbitals at the same commensurate wavevector (0.333, 0) reciprocal lattice units, with non-negligible out-of-plane dependence and an in-plane correlation length of up to similar to 60 A. Spectroscopic studies reveal a strong connection between CDWs and Nd 5d-Ni 3d orbital hybridization. Upon entering the superconducting state at 20% Sr doping, the CDWs disappear. Our work demonstrates the existence of CDWs in infinite-layer nickelates with a multiorbital character distinct from cuprates, which establishes their low-energy physics.

Automated summary

CDWs were observed in infinite-layer nickelates films with Ni L-3 resonant X-ray scattering, forming at a specific commensurate wavevector related to Nd 5d-Ni 3d orbitals, and disappearing upon 20% Sr doping.