Scale-invariant magnetic textures in the strongly correlated oxide NdNiO
arXiv:1910.02072 · doi:10.1038/s41467-019-12502-0
Abstract
Strongly correlated quantum solids are characterized by an inherently granular electronic fabric, with spatial patterns that can span multiple length scales in proximity to a critical point. Here, we used a resonant magnetic X-ray scattering nanoprobe with sub-100 nm spatial resolution to directly visualize the texture of antiferromagnetic domains in NdNiO. Surprisingly, our measurements revealed a highly textured magnetic fabric, which is shown to be robust and nonvolatile even after thermal erasure across its ordering () temperature. The scale-free distribution of antiferromagnetic domains and its non-integral dimensionality point to a hitherto-unobserved magnetic fractal geometry in this system. These scale-invariant textures directly reflect the continuous nature of the magnetic transition and the proximity of this system to a critical point. The present study not only exposes the near-critical behavior in rare earth nickelates but also underscores the potential for novel X-ray scattering nanoprobes to image the multiscale signatures of criticality near a critical point.
8 pages, 3 figures
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