Superconductivity seen in a non-magnetic nickel oxide

Magnetism alone was thought to be responsible for superconductivity in copper oxides. The finding of superconductivity in a non-magnetic compound that is structurally similar to these copper oxides challenges this view.

In 1986, scientists unexpectedly discovered that a lanthanum barium copper oxide, La_1.85Ba_0.15CuO₄, becomes a superconductor (has zero electrical resistance) below a relatively high temperature¹ of 35 kelvin. This result triggered one of the most intense experimental and theoretical research efforts in condensed-matter physics. Soon afterwards, many other copper oxides (cuprates) were found to superconduct at temperatures² of up to 133.5 K. However, after more than 30 years, there is no consensus regarding the underlying mechanism of cuprate superconductivity. Writing in Nature, Li et al.³ report that a neodymium strontium nickel oxide, Nd_0.8Sr_0.2NiO₂, superconducts below 9–15 K. This material has a similar crystal structure to that of the cuprate superconductors, suggesting that the authors’ discovery could lead to a better understanding of superconductivity in these systems.

Superconductivity seen in a non-magnetic nickel oxide D41586-019-02518-3_17096920

Superconductivity seen in a non-magnetic nickel oxide D41586-019-02518-3_17096920

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-02518-3

Superconductivity seen in a non-magnetic nickel oxide

Superconductivity seen in a non-magnetic nickel oxide

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