Introduction to Antiferromagnetism in Ultrathin Nickelate Layers

Throughout the remainder of this thesis we will explore nickelate based heterostructures in which ultrathin nickelate layers are epitaxially integrated with a chemically distinct and approximately isostructural material in order to manipulate the magnetic properties of the Ni sublattice. In Chap. 7 we report a comprehensive study of superlattices composed of alternating layers of LaNiO\(_{3}\) and DyScO\(_{3}\) or GdScO\(_{3}\) in which the 3d Ni sublattice couples to the magnetic 4f rare-earth sublattice across the epitaxial interface. In order to introduce concepts necessary for understanding the results of Chap. 7, the current chapter provides a brief review of previous studies of antiferromagnetism in ultrathin nickelate layers with a particular focus on work performed at the Max-Planck-Institute for Solid Sate Research.