Development of antiferromagnetic correlations in the heavy fermion system UPt(3).
01 January 1987
We have carried out an inelastic neutron scattering study of UPt(3). For low temperatures, antiferromagnetic correlations, with a characteristic energy of 6 meV, between spins in adjacent planes of this hexagonal material are observed. They become apparent below the temperature at which the bulk magnetic susceptibility displays a maximum. We conclude that correlations between the localized (f-like) moments are an important aspect of the low temperature, coherent state of heavy fermion systems. The relation of our results to the unconventional superconductivity of Upt(3) is also described.