Kondo scattering in underdoped Nd1-xSrxNiO2 infinite-layer superconducting thin films

TL;DR

This study provides experimental evidence that Kondo scattering dominates the low-temperature transport properties in underdoped Nd1-xSrxNiO2 thin films, contributing to understanding their fundamental physics.

Contribution

It is the first to identify Kondo scattering as the dominant mechanism in underdoped Nd1-xSrxNiO2 thin films through resistivity and Hall measurements.

Findings

Resistivity minimum with logarithmic temperature dependence observed.

Linear scaling between anomalous Hall conductivity and conductivity verified.

Weak localization effects are secondary in these samples.

Abstract

The recent discovery of superconductivity in infinite-layer nickelates generates tremendous research endeavors, but the ground state of their parent compounds is still under debate. Here, we report experimental evidences for the dominant role of Kondo scattering in the underdoped Nd1-xSrxNiO2 thin films. A resistivity minimum associated with logarithmic temperature dependence in both longitudinal and Hall resistivities are observed in the underdoped Nd1-xSrxNiO2 samples before the superconducting transition. A linear scaling behavior $\sigma_{xy}^{AHE}\sim\sigma_{xx}$ between anomalous Hall conductivity $\sigma_{xy}^{AHE}$ and conductivity $\sigma_{xx}$ is revealed, verifying the dominant Kondo scattering at low temperature. The effect of weak (anti-)localization is found to be secondary. Our experiments can help clarifying the basic physics in the underdoped Nd1-xSrxNiO2 infinite-layer thin films.