Fig. 5: Structural and electronic effects of layering NdNiO3 with the band insulator NdAlO3.
From: Quantifying the role of the lattice in metal–insulator phase transitions
a Schematic of superlattice consisting of NdNiO3 layered in between the band insulator NdAlO3; b schematic view of two atomic layers of NdNiO3 sandwiched between NdAlO3 layers as described in ref. 4. Dashed line with red slash: forbidden electronic hopping path, indicating mechanism of dimensional confinement. Zig-zag lines connecting O (red circles) and Al atoms: representation of the increased stiffness to distortions of apical Ni–O bonds as a result of resistance from the Al–O bonds.
