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Ginzburg-Landau model of hexagonal superconductors: Application to UPt[sub 3]

Journal Article · · Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States)
;  [1]
  1. Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A7 (Canada)

We consider the so-called [ital E] theory of unconventional hexagonal superconductors in which the superconducting order parameter belongs to one of the two-dimensional [ital E] representations of the hexagonal point group. We show that in the presence of a symmetry-breaking field (such as antiferromagnetism in UPt[sub 3]) there are two distinct mechanisms for obtaining a split transition in zero magnetic field, one of which has been previously discussed. Coupling of the superconductivity to another symmetry-breaking field associated with charge-density-wave modulations is also considered, thus allowing for an interpretation of the observed pressure-temperature phase diagram of UPt[sub 3]. Also, the anisotropy (or lack of it) of the upper critical field of UPt[sub 3] is accounted for, and it is shown that the antiferromagnetic order becomes a [ital canted] antiferromagnetic order in the low-temperature superconducting phase for one of the two models presented here.

OSTI ID:
6401073
Journal Information:
Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States) Vol. 51:13; ISSN 0163-1829; ISSN PRBMDO
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English