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Aspects of the Synthesis of Thin Film Superconducting Infinite-Layer Nickelates

The recent observation of superconductivity in Nd$_{0.8}$Sr$_{0.2}$NiO$_{2}$ calls for further investigation and optimization of the synthesis of this metastable infinite-layer nickelate structure. Here, we present our current understanding of important aspects of the growth of the parent perovskite compound via pulsed laser deposition on SrTiO$_{3}$ (001) substrates, and the subsequent topotactic reduction. We find that to achieve single-crystalline, single-phase superconducting Nd$_{0.8}$Sr$_{0.2}$NiO$_{2}$, it is essential that the precursor perovskite Nd$_{0.8}$Sr$_{0.2}$NiO$_{3}$ thin film is stabilized with high crystallinity and no impurity phases; in particular, a Ruddlesden-Popper-type secondary phase is often observed. We have further investigated the evolution of the soft-chemistry topotactic reduction conditions to realize full transformation to the infinite-layer structure with no film decomposition or formation of other phases. We find that capping the nickelate film with a subsequent SrTiO$_{3}$ layer provides an epitaxial template to the top region of the nickelate film, much like the substrate. Thus, for currently optimized growth conditions, we can stabilize superconducting single-phase Nd$_{0.8}$Sr$_{0.2}$NiO$_{2}$ (001) epitaxial thin films up to ~ 10 nm.