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Complex spin-density-wave ordering in La$_4$Ni$_{3}$O$_{10}$

Yantao Cao, Andi Liu, Bin Wang, Mingxin Zhang, Yanpeng Qi, Thomas J. Hicken, Hubertus Luetkens, Zhendong Fu, Jason S. Gardner, Jinkui Zhao, Hanjie Guo

Abstract

The discovery of high-temperature superconductivity in layered nickelates under pressure has recently triggered enormous interest. Studies of these compounds have revealed a density-wave-like transition at ambient pressure, though its connection with superconductivity is still not well understood. Here, we report a detailed \msr\ study on single crystals of trilayer nickelate \LNO\ at ambient pressure. We have identified a spin-density-wave (SDW) transition at the temperature of $T_\mathrm{N} \sim$130 K, as well as a broad crossover around 70 - 100 K. Based on the temperature dependence of the muon precession amplitudes and magnetic susceptibility, we attribute this additional crossover either to a spin reorientation, or to an inhomogeneous SDW ordering.

Complex spin-density-wave ordering in La$_4$Ni$_{3}$O$_{10}$

Abstract

The discovery of high-temperature superconductivity in layered nickelates under pressure has recently triggered enormous interest. Studies of these compounds have revealed a density-wave-like transition at ambient pressure, though its connection with superconductivity is still not well understood. Here, we report a detailed \msr\ study on single crystals of trilayer nickelate \LNO\ at ambient pressure. We have identified a spin-density-wave (SDW) transition at the temperature of 130 K, as well as a broad crossover around 70 - 100 K. Based on the temperature dependence of the muon precession amplitudes and magnetic susceptibility, we attribute this additional crossover either to a spin reorientation, or to an inhomogeneous SDW ordering.

Paper Structure

This paper contains 2 equations, 5 figures.

Figures (5)

  • Figure 1: (a) Temperature dependence of the corrected magnetic susceptibility with magnetic field applied along different directions, together with their difference. The shaded region indicates the crossover regime. (b) Temperature dependence of the specific heat under different fields.
  • Figure 2: Typical ZF-$\mu$SR time spectra measured at various temperatures. The initial muon spin polarizations are perpendicular to the c-axis and along the c-axis in the left and right panels, respectively. The solid lines are the fits according to Eqs. (1) and (2). A schematic of the experimental setup is shown in the inset of (c).
  • Figure 3: Fourier transform of the ZF-$\mu$SR time spectra measured at various temperatures. The initial muon spin polarizations are (a) perpendicular to the c-axis and (b) along the c-axis. The dashed lines are a guide to the eye.
  • Figure 4: (a) Typical wTF-$\mu$SR time spectra measured above and below the transition temperature. The function of $A_{\mathrm{UD}}(t) = A_{\mathrm{PM}}\mathrm{cos}(\omega_\mu t + \varphi)\mathrm{exp}(-\lambda t)$ is fitted to the spectrum in order to extract the oscillation amplitude. (b) Temperature dependence of the paramagnetic volume fraction.
  • Figure 5: Temperature dependence of the extracted fitting parameters: (a,c) the internal fields $B_i$, and (b,d) the amplitudes of each component. The solid lines in (b) and (d) are a guide to the eye.