Superconducting gap structure of the 115's revisited

Abstract

Density functional theory calculations of the electronic structure of Ce- and Pu-based heavy fermion superconductors in the so-called 115 family are performed. The gap equation is used to consider which superconducting order parameters are most favorable assuming a pairing interaction that is peaked at (\pi,\pi,q_z) - the wavevector for the antiferromagnetic ordering found in close proximity. In addition to the commonly accepted $d_{x^2-y^2}$ order parameter, there is evidence that an extended s-wave order parameter with nodes is also plausible. We discuss whether these results are consistent with current observations and possible measurements that could help distinguish between these scenarios.