Superconducting phases of f-electron compounds

TL;DR

This paper reviews the diverse superconducting phases in f-electron compounds, highlighting their unconventional pairing mechanisms and the complex interplay between magnetism, valence, and crystal fields.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of experimental findings on superconductivity in f-electron compounds, emphasizing novel pairing interactions and phase behaviors.

Findings

Superconductivity occurs at magnetic phase boundaries.

Unconventional pairing mechanisms are suggested by experimental data.

Superconductivity is observed near valence transitions and magneto-polar order.

Abstract

Intermetallic compounds containing f-electron elements display a wealth of superconducting phases, that are prime candidates for unconventional pairing with complex order parameter symmetries. For instance, superconductivity has been found at the border of magnetic order as well as deep within ferro- and antiferromagnetically ordered states, suggesting that magnetism may promote rather than destroy superconductivity. Superconductivity near valence transitions, or in the vicinity of magneto-polar order are candidates for new superconductive pairing interactions such as fluctuations of the conduction electron density or the crystal electric field, respectively. The experimental status of the study of the superconducting phases of f-electron compounds is reviewed.