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Tunable Charge and Spin Order in PrNiO3 Thin Films and Superlattices

M. Hepting, M. Minola, A. Frano, G. Cristiani, G. Logvenov, E. Schierle, M. Wu, M. Bluschke, E. Weschke, H.-U. Habermeier, E. Benckiser, M. Le Tacon, and B. Keimer
Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 227206 – Published 26 November 2014
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Abstract

We use polarized Raman scattering to probe lattice vibrations and charge ordering in 12 nm thick, epitaxially strained PrNiO3 films, and in superlattices of PrNiO3 with the band insulator PrAlO3. A carefully adjusted confocal geometry is used to eliminate the substrate contribution to the Raman spectra. In films and superlattices under tensile strain which undergo a metal-insulator transition upon cooling, the Raman spectra reveal phonon modes characteristic of charge ordering. These anomalous phonons do not appear in compressively strained films, which remain metallic at all temperatures. For superlattices under compressive strain, the Raman spectra show no evidence of anomalous phonons indicative of charge ordering, while complementary resonant x-ray scattering experiments reveal antiferromagnetic order associated with a modest increase in resistivity upon cooling. This confirms theoretical predictions of a spin density wave phase driven by spatial confinement of the conduction electrons.

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  • Received 26 June 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.227206

© 2014 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

M. Hepting1, M. Minola1, A. Frano1,2, G. Cristiani1, G. Logvenov1, E. Schierle2, M. Wu1, M. Bluschke1,2, E. Weschke2, H.-U. Habermeier1, E. Benckiser1, M. Le Tacon1, and B. Keimer1,*

  • 1Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung, Heisenbergstrasse 1, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
  • 2Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Wilhelm-Conrad-Röntgen-Campus BESSY II, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 15, D-12489 Berlin, Germany

  • *b.keimer@fkf.mpg.de

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Vol. 113, Iss. 22 — 28 November 2014

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