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Distinct orbital contributions to electronic and magnetic structures in La4Ni3O10

Shilong Zhang1,*, Hengyuang Zhang2,*, Zehao Dong3, Jie Li4, Qian Xiao1,5, Mengwu Huo2, Hsiao-Yu Huang6, Di-Jing Huang6, Yayu Wang3 et al.

Yi Lu4, Zhen Chen7, Meng Wang2,†, and Yingying Peng1,8,‡

  • *These authors contributed equally to this work.
  • †Contact author: wangmeng5@mail.sysu.edu.cn
  • ‡Contact author: yingying.peng@pku.edu.cn
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Phys. Rev. Research 8, 023119 – Published 4 May, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/7ds6-z5w8

Abstract

High-Tc superconductivity has recently been discovered in Ruddlesden-Popper (RP)-phase nickelates under pressure, where the low-energy electronic structure is dominated by Ni dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals. However, the respective roles of these orbitals in superconductivity remain unclear. Here, by combining x-ray absorption, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations on La4Ni3O10 single crystals, we identify ligand holes in the px,y orbitals of planar oxygen and the pz orbitals of apical oxygen, which hybridize with the Ni dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals, respectively. These ligand holes enable orbital-selective O K-edge resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) study, which reveals that dx2−y2 states dominate the low-energy charge excitations and are more itinerant. We also observe an ∼0.1eV bimagnon through RIXS and Raman spectroscopy. Our results reveal distinct contributions of Ni dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals to the electronic and magnetic structure and provide direct experimental insights to understand the RP-phase nickelate superconductors.

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Phys. Rev. Research 8, 023119– Published 4 May, 2026
  • Received 24 September 2025
  • Accepted 7 April 2026
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