Magnetism and superconductivity in rare earth–nickel–borocarbides

Abstract

The R Ni 2 B 2 C (R=Gd–Lu,Y) series of compounds offers a spacious testing ground for the interaction between 4 f and conduction electrons and specifically for interactions between local magnetic moments and the superconducting ground state. In this review we will survey the effects that local moments have on the superconducting transition temperature (Tc), the upper superconducting critical field (Hc2(T)) and the vortex pinning and critical current density (Jc).