Publication Date:
2014-11-27
Description:
Nickelates are known for their metal to insulator transition (MIT) and an unusual magnetic ordering, occurring at T = T Néel . Here, we investigate thin films of SmNiO 3 subjected to different levels of epitaxial strain. We find that the original bulk behavior (T Néel 〈 T MI ) is strongly affected by applying compressive strain to the films. For small compressive strains, a regime where T Néel = T MI is achieved, the paramagnetic insulating phase characteristic of the bulk compound is suppressed and the MIT becomes 1st order. Further increasing the in-plane compression of the SmNiO 3 lattice leads to the stabilization of a single metallic paramagnetic phase.
Electronic ISSN:
2166-532X
Topics:
Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics