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Abstract:
We present a combined study of Ni K-edge resonant x-ray scattering and
density functional calculations to probe and distinguish electronically
driven ordering and lattice distortions in nickelate heterostructures.
We demonstrate that due to the low crystal symmetry, contributions from
structural distortions can contribute significantly to the
energy-dependent Bragg peak intensities of a bond-ordered NdNiO3
reference film. For a LaNiO3-LaAlO3 superlattice that exhibits magnetic
order, we establish a rigorous upper bound on the bond-order parameter.
We thus conclusively confirm predictions of a dominant spin density wave
order parameter in metallic nickelates with a quasi-two-dimensional
electronic structure.