Contrasting thermoelectric responses in rare-earth nickelate thin films

Key Points

• The research aims to explore the thermoelectric properties of thin films made from rare-earth nickelates, focusing on differences in response at low temperatures.
• Thin films of rare-earth perovskite nickelates (La/Nd/Sm)NiO 3 were analyzed for thermoelectric effects.
• Temperature-dependent thermopower measurements were conducted across the films.
• The study examines mechanisms like polaron transport and percolation transitions affecting thermoelectric behavior.
• Insulating SmNiO 3 films exhibit enhanced phonon-drag thermopower at low temperatures.
• Above 200 K, all films show similar metallic diffusion thermopower patterns.
• Thermoelectric anomalies are explained by the interplay of polaron transport and percolation transitions.