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

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 (T-c similar to 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.