High pressure floating-zone growth of perovskite nickelate LaNiO3 single crystals

TL;DR

This paper reports the successful growth of high-quality LaNiO3 single crystals using a high-pressure floating zone method, enabling advanced studies and applications in correlated electron materials and thin film technologies.

Contribution

First demonstration of high-pressure floating zone growth of LaNiO3 single crystals, facilitating deeper understanding and new applications of this correlated metal.

Findings

Crystals characterized by x-ray diffraction, resistivity, specific heat, and magnetic susceptibility.

Crystals suitable as substrates for ferroelectric and multiferroic thin films.

Demonstrates the effectiveness of high pO2 growth for nickelate perovskites.

Abstract

We report the first single crystal growth of the correlated metal LaNiO3 using a high-pressure optical-image floating zone furnace. The crystals were studied using single crystal/powder x-ray diffraction, resistivity, specific heat, and magnetic susceptibility. The availability of bulk LaNiO3 crystals will (i) promote deep understanding in this correlated material, including the mechanism of enhanced paramagnetic susceptibility, and (ii) provide rich opportunities as a substrate for thin film growth such as important ferroelectric and/or multiferroic materials. This study demonstrates the power of high pO2 single crystal growth of nickelate perovskites and correlated electron oxides more generally.