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

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 RNiO2 (R = La, Pr, Nd). The frequency-dependent peaks of the alternating current 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 CaCuO2 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.

Automated summary

Motivated by the recent discovery of superconductivity in nickelate thin films, this study focuses on the synthesis and magnetization study of bulk samples of the parent compounds RNiO2. The results show spin-glass states with frequency-dependent peaks in the magnetic susceptibility and remarkable memory effects. The phenomenological parameters obtained from different spin glass models show strong similarity within these compounds and other rare-earth metal nickelates. The findings suggest a distinct nature of magnetism and superconductivity in the bulk nickelates compared to cuprate superconductors.