Anisotropy in AnTGa5 Compounds

The AnTGa(5) series (An = U, Np, Pu; T = d transition metal) forms a large family of isostructural compounds, where either itinerant paramagnetism (U-compounds with transition metals from the Fe and Co columns), antiferromagnetism (U-compounds with T = Ni, Pd, Pt and Np-compounds) or superconductivity (Pu-compounds) is observed. Their structure type corresponds to a layered version of the AnGa(3) system. From the structural analogy, a significant anisotropy can be expected and may play an important role in the occurrence of superconductivity in the Pu-based compounds. In this perspective, we briefly review the anisotropic behavior in the series and present physical property measurements on oriented single crystals of PuRhGa5 and PuCoGa5 superconductors.