In order to investigate the 5f electronic properties in a ferromagnet UGa2
with the hexagonal structure, we have performed the magnetic, elastic, tran
sport and de Haas-van Alphen experiments. From these properties, the crysta
l distortion is found to occur below 100 K in the basal plane, which is mos
t likely driven by the development of a ferromagnetic moment oriented along
the [1 1 (2) over bar 0] direction. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rig
hts reserved.