detected using β-detected NMR

The rare earth nickelates (RNiO₃) are a prototypical example of a metal-insulator transition in strongly correlated materials; LaNiO₃ is the only RNiO₃ that remains metallic .
Here, we will compare measurements on a single crystal and a thin film of LaNiO₃ using β-detected NMR.
Analogous to μSR, β-NMR is a sensitive local probe of the electronic and magnetic properties of materials through the coupling between the ⁸Li nuclear spin and the electromagnetic properties of the host material and; therefore, provides a unique, local perspective.
We find clear evidence of metallic behaviour and no static magnetism.
However, the detailed account of the data appears inconsistent with the commonly considered distorted perovskite structure[1].

References:
1. V.L. Karner et al. Phys. Rev. B., 100; 165109, 2019