Non-centrosymmetric heavy-fermion superconductors

Abstract

In this chapter we discuss the physical properties of a particular family of non-centrosymmetric superconductors belonging to the class heavy-fermion compounds. This group includes the ferromagnet UIr and the antiferromagnets CeRhSi 3, CeIrSi 3, CeCoGe 3, CeIrGe 3 and CePt 3Si, of which all but CePt 3Si become superconducting only under pressure. Each of these superconductors has intriguing and interesting properties. We first analyze CePt 3Si, then review CeRhSi 3, CeIrSi 3, CeCoGe 3 and CeIrGe 3, which are very similar to each other in their magnetic and electrical properties, and finally discuss UIr. For each material we discuss the crystal structure, magnetic order, occurrence of superconductivity, phase diagram, characteristic parameters, superconducting properties and pairing states. We present an overview of the similarities and differences between all these six compounds at the end. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2012.