Thickness-Dependent Interface Polarity in Infinite-Layer Nickelate Superlattices.

The interface polarity plays a vital role in the physical properties of oxide heterointerfaces because it can cause specific modifications of the electronic and atomic structure. Reconstruction due to the strong polarity of the NdNiO/SrTiO interface in recently discovered superconducting nickelate films may play an important role, as no superconductivity has been observed in the bulk. By employing four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy, we studied effects of oxygen distribution, polyhedral distortion, elemental intermixing, and dimensionality in NdNiO/SrTiO superlattices grown on SrTiO (001) substrates. Oxygen distribution maps show a gradual variation of the oxygen content in the nickelate layer. Remarkably, we demonstrate thickness-dependent interface reconstruction due to a polar discontinuity. An average cation displacement of ∼0.025 nm at interfaces in 8NdNiO/4SrTiO superlattices is twice larger than that in 4NdNiO/2SrTiO superlattices. Our results provide insights into the understanding of reconstructions at NdNiO/SrTiO polar interfaces.