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Unraveling spin density wave order in layered nickelates La3Ni2O7 and La2PrNi2O7 via neutron diffraction

Igor Plokhikh1,2,3,*, Thomas J. Hicken1,†, Lukas Keller1, Vladimir Pomjakushin1, Samuel H. Moody1, Pascale Foury-Leylekian4, Jonas J. Krieger1, Hubertus Luetkens1, Zurab Guguchia1 et al.

Rustem Khasanov1,‡ and Dariusz Jakub Gawryluk1,§

  • *Contact author: igor.plokhikh@psi.ch
  • †Contact author: thomas.hicken@psi.ch
  • ‡Contact author: rustem.khasanov@psi.ch
  • §Contact author: dariusz.gawryluk@psi.ch
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Phys. Rev. Research 8, 033151 – Published 7 August, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/rw8k-tng5

Abstract

The observation of pressure-induced superconductivity in two- and three-layer Ruddlesden-Popper nickelates has spurred intense interest in these materials as a platform for exploring unconventional superconductivity. While the ground state of these systems has been shown to exhibit magnetism, the direct determination of their magnetic structure remains elusive. This is a crucial aspect, as magnetism may play a role in the pairing mechanism of superconductivity in these materials. In this study, we resolve the magnetic structures in the bilayer (2222) polymorphs of La3Ni2O7 and La2PrNi2O7 compounds, using a combination of complementary techniques, namely, neutron powder diffraction and muon-spin rotation/relaxation (μSR). Magnetic neutron scattering in both samples emerges below ∼150 K and is observed at the (qx,12,0) position, with qx=0 and 12 for La3Ni2O7 and qx=0 for La2PrNi2O7. Alternating low-magnetic-moment (0.05–0.075μB) and high-magnetic-moment (0.66μB) stripes form a single layer; the bilayers are formed through antiferromagnetic stacking of single layers along the out-of-plane direction. The magnetic scattering with two propagation vectors qx=0 and 12 in the undoped La3Ni2O7 is attributed to two magnetic stacking polymorphs within a single crystallographic phase. The magnetic structures are substantiated by the μSR spectra. These findings provide a detailed understanding of the magnetic ground state in bilayer nickelates, offering crucial insights into the possible precursor states that may influence the emergence of superconductivity in these materials.

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Phys. Rev. Research 8, 033151– Published 7 August, 2026
  • Received 8 November 2025
  • Accepted 22 June 2026
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