Intertwined density waves in a quasi-2D metallic oxide

February 25, 2021

In a study published in Nature Communications, researchers report the mechanism behind a metal-metal transition in a quasi-2D metallic oxide.

(top left) X-ray diffraction showing incommensurate charge superlattice. (top right) Incommensurate magnetic structure revealed by neutron diffraction schematic of density waves in a single trilayer based on analysis of scattering patterns.

Scientific Achievement

We discovered that coexisting sinusoidal charge- and spin density waves drive a metal-metal transition in trilayer La₄Ni₃O₁₀; we attribute density wave formation to Fermi surface gapping.

Significance and Impact

Our findings establish quasi-2D La₄Ni₃O₁₀ as the missing link between the latent charge- and spin-order of 3D metallic nickelates and the fully-expressed order found in 2D insulating stripe-phase nickelates.

Research Details

High-resolution single-crystal X-ray and neutron diffraction revealed charge- and spin density waves.
Distinctive patterns of superlattice reflections lead to proposed models of the sinusoidal modulations in charge and spin sectors.
First principles calculations implicate Fermi surface nesting as the driving mechanism.

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19836-0

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