Recent investigations into thin films of nickelate compounds, specifically the La${3-x}$Sr${x}$Ni${2}$O${7-δ}$ system, have brought to light a phenomenon termed a "superconducting dome." This observation, detailed in research published around August 2025 and February 2026, points to the emergence of superconductivity within these materials when subjected to pressure. The implication is that this could represent a pathway toward achieving high-temperature superconductivity, a long-sought goal in materials science.
The superconducting dome, a signature of materials exhibiting superconductivity over a specific range of pressure, has been observed in La${3-x}$Sr${x}$Ni${2}$O${7-δ}$ thin films. This finding is significant because it suggests that superconductivity in these nickelates is not a simple, linear response to external conditions but rather a more complex phenomenon influenced by pressure. The superconducting states observed in these films are described as unconventional, with robust d-wave pairing characteristics.
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UNCONVENTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OBSERVED
Research on infinite-layer nickelates, published as early as May 2024, has indicated that unconventional superconductivity can manifest even without the typical "doping" of materials. This implies a fundamental difference in how superconductivity arises in these nickel-based compounds compared to traditional superconducting materials. These systems are characterized by orbital-selective superconductivity, with superconductivity appearing to stem from specific electron orbitals within the material. A particular focus has been on the d$_{x2-y2}$ wave symmetry of the superconducting state.
NICKELATES AS A NEW PLATFORM
The scientific community views nickelate-based 112 thin films as a new frontier for exploring unconventional superconductivity. Reports from January 2022 suggest that these materials can exhibit superconductivity up to around 15 Kelvin. However, a more recent and compelling development indicates potential for higher temperatures, with some thin films showing superconductivity at approximately 48 K and under high pressure, temperatures have reached as high as 80 K. These findings position nickelates as a promising alternative to the more studied cuprates for achieving higher superconducting transition temperatures.
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BACKGROUND CONTEXT
The exploration of superconductivity in nickelates has gained traction in recent years, offering a parallel research avenue to the long-standing quest for high-temperature superconductivity in cuprates. Materials like LaNiO${2}$ and multilayered nickelates, including La${3}$Ni${2}$O${7}$ and La${4}$Ni${3}$O${10}$, are being investigated for their unique electronic structures and potential to exhibit superconductivity. The absence of rare-earth magnetism in some of these nickelate structures, as noted in research from September 2021, further distinguishes them and simplifies the conditions under which superconductivity can be studied. The layered nature of these compounds, with distinct NiO${2}$ planes (bilayer, trilayer, etc.), plays a crucial role in their electronic properties and superconducting behavior. The correlation strength within these materials, whether intermediate or strong, is a key factor influencing the superconducting mechanism, with ongoing debate about the exact role of electron-phonon interactions.
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