Evidence for multiband superconductivity in the heavy fermion compound UNi2Al3

Abstract

Epitaxial thin films of the heavy fermion superconductor UNi2Al3 with Tc{max}=0.98K were investigated. The transition temperature Tc depends on the current direction which can be related to superconducting gaps opening at different temperatures. Also the influence of the magnetic ordering at TN=5K on R(T) is strongly anisotropic indicating different coupling between the magnetic moments and itinerant charge carriers on the multi-sheeted Fermi surface. The upper critical field Hc2(T) suggests an unconventional spin-singlet superconducting state.

4 pages, 6 figures revised version: inset of fig. 2 changed, fig. 3 added accepted for pub. in Phys. Rev. Lett. (estimated 9/04)