μSR studies of heavy fermion systems

We have performed both zero field and high transverse field measurements at dilution refrigerator temperatures on a number of heavy electron systems, examining the superconducting and magnetic properties of these interesting materials. Among the materials studied to date are UBe13, URu2Si2 and U6Fe. The magnetic field penetration depth in the superconducting state of UBe13 is greater than 10000 A, as no increase in the transverse field relaxation rate is observed below Tc. A sharp increase in the precession frequency is seen, starting at Tc. This frequency shift shows little temperature dependence at low temperature; we found no clear evidence for unconventional superconductivity in this material. Zero field measurements in URu2Si2 show the weak antiferromagnetic transition at 17.5 K. Finally, we have observed relaxation in high transverse field due to the formation of a flux lattice in U6Fe, a material where the electron effective mass is rather lighter than in other heavy fermion systems. The relaxation exhibits a sharp onset at Tc=3.9 K, and is flat at low temperatures as expected for a conventional superconductor. (orig.)