New high-temperature superconductors based on rare-earth and transition metal oxyarsenides and related phases: synthesis, properties and simulations

Abstract

The discovery in February 2008 of superconductivity with the transition temperature about 26 K in fluorine-doped oxyarsenide LaO1–xFxFeAs stimulated numerous studies of superconducting and other physical properties of this and related materials, resulting in a new family of high-temperature (Tc ~ 26–55 K) superconductors.The experimental and theoretical state of the art is reviewed concerning the synthesis, properties and simulation of the new family and related systems.