Electron and Superconducting Properties of the AFeAs (A= Li, Na) Family Alkali-Metal Pnictides: Current Stage of the Research (mini-review)

Abstract

The review is focused on one of the most exotic families of iron-based superconductors belonging to the AFeAs structural type, where A is alkali metal. We briefly concern physical and electron properties of the typical members of this family, LiFeAs and NaFeAs, discuss the theoretical models describing the multiple-gap superconducting state, and the experimental data available in literature. As well, we specify the main unsolved problems, that seem crucial for both the AFeAs family and for iron-based superconductors in general.