Surface superconductivity and $H_{c3}$ in UPt$_3$

Abstract

Surface superconductivity is studied within Ginzburg-Landau theory for two classes of models for the order parameter of UPt$_{3}$. The first class assumes two independent one-dimensional order parameters ($AB$ models), while the second assumes a single two-dimensional order parameter ($E$ models). $H_{c3}$ is calculated for all cases where the surface normal and magnetic field lie along high symmetry directions. Assuming specular reflection, it is found that except when ${\bf H}\parallel{\bf\hat c}$, the ratio $H_{c3}/H_{c2}$ is either unity or equals its `s-wave' value 1.695, although the precise $H_{c3}$ vs. $T$ curve predicted by the $AB$ and $E$ models differs for various geometries. The results are compared with recent experiments, and predictions are made for future experiments.