Superconductivity in infinite-layer Pr$_{0.8}$Sr$_{0.2}$NiO$_2$ films on different substrates


Abstract in English

The recent discovery of superconductivity in infinite-layer nickelates has motivated tremendous efforts to study these materials that are analogous to cuprates. However, superconductivity in infinite-layer nickelates has been realized only in thin films grown on SrTiO$_3$ substrates, thus raising the question whether it is interface-induced and the query into the role of SrTiO$_3$ substrate. Here, we report the observation of superconductivity in Pr$_{0.8}$Sr$_{0.2}$NiO$_2$ films prepared at almost the same conditions except they are grown on different substrates (LaAlO$_3$)$_{0.3}$(Sr$_2$AlTaO$_6$)$_{0.7}$ (LSAT) and SrTiO$_3$ with the corresponding onset of superconductivity maximized at 15 K and 9K, respectively. Our results not only suggest that the superconductivity in infinite-layer nickelates is unlikely an interface-induced phenomenon and that the SrTiO$_3$ substrate is not a necessary for the emergence of superconductivity, but also indicate that the compressive strain can possibly increase T$_c$ of Pr$_{0.8}$Sr$_{0.2}$NiO$_2$.

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