Abstract. This topical review summarizes various features of magnetic penetration depth in unconventional superconductors. Precise measurements of the penetration depth as a function of temperature, magnetic field and crystal orientation can provide detailed information about the pairing state. Examples are given of unconventional pairing in hole- and electron-doped cuprates, organic and heavy fermion superconductors. The ability to apply an external magnetic field adds a new dimension to measurements of penetration depth. We discuss how field-dependent measurements can be used to study surface Andreev bound states, nonlinear Meissner effects, magnetic impurities, magnetic ordering, proximity effects and vortex motion. We also discuss how measurements of penetration depth as a function of orientation can be used to explore superconductors with more than one gap and with anisotropic gaps. Details relevant to the analysis of penetration depth data in anisotropic samples are also discussed.

Print publication: Issue 8 (August 2006)
Received 19 April 2006, in final form 25 May 2006
Published 19 June 2006