Universal spin-glass behaviour in bulk LaNiO2, PrNiO2 and NdNiO2

TL;DR

This study reveals that bulk LaNiO2, PrNiO2, and NdNiO2 exhibit universal spin-glass behavior, contrasting with cuprates, and suggests different magnetic and superconducting mechanisms in nickelates.

Contribution

First comprehensive magnetization study showing universal spin-glass behavior in bulk RNiO2 compounds, highlighting differences from cuprate superconductors.

Findings

Spin-glass states characterized by AC susceptibility peaks and memory effects.

Strong similarity in phenomenological parameters across RNiO2 compounds.

Distinct magnetic behavior from cuprates with long-range antiferromagnetic order.

Abstract

Motivated by the recent discovery of superconductivity in infinite-layer nickelate thin films, we report on a synthesis and magnetization study on bulk samples of the parent compounds ${R}$NiO$_{2}$ (${R}$=La, Pr, Nd). The frequency-dependent peaks of the AC magnetic susceptibility, along with remarkable memory effects, characterize spin-glass states. Furthermore, various phenomenological parameters via different spin glass models show strong similarity within these three compounds as well as with other rare-earth metal nickelates. The universal spin-glass behaviour distinguishes the nickelates from the parent compound CaCuO$_{2}$ of cuprate superconductors, which has the same crystal structure and $d^9$ electronic configuration but undergoes a long-range antiferromagnetic order. Our investigations may indicate a distinctly different nature of magnetism and superconductivity in the bulk nickelates than in the cuprates.