High-pressure synthesis, crystal growth, phase diagrams, structural and magnetic properties of Y(2)Ba(4)Cu(n)O2(2n+x), HgBa2Can-1CunO2n+2+delta and quasi-one-dimensional cuprates

In this paper we present a review of high-gas-pressure single crystal growt h studies of YBa2Cu4O8 and Y2Ba4Cu7O15-x performed in oxygen pressure up to 3000 bar and Hg1-xMxBa2Can-1CunO2n+2+delta (M = Pb, Re; n = 1-7) compounds in argon pressure up 11 000 bar at temperature up to 1200 degrees C. Chain compounds A(1-x)CuO(2) (A = Sr, Ca, Ba) have been synthesized at high oxyg en pressure up to 2000 bar. High-pressure phase diagram studies of the inve stigated systems are also discussed. Structure analyses of Y2Ba4CunO2n+x (n = 6-8), Hg1-xMxBa2Can-1CunO2n+2+delta (M = Pb, Re; n = 1-8), Sr0.73CuO2 an d (Sr,Ca)(4)Cu6O10 single crystals have been performed. The effects of subs titutions and trends in bondlengths are discussed. The vortex state propert ies of HgBa2Ca2Cu3O8+delta and YBa2Cu4O8 single crystals are compared. For Hg-based compounds, the influence of oxygen content, chemical substitutions and radiation defects on vortex pinning were determined. The quasi-one-dim ensional cuprates Ca0.83CuO2 and Sr0.73CuO2 show an antiferromagnetically o rdered state of long-range 3D character at T < 10 K. The spin dynamics of S r0.73CuO2 , measured by inelastic neutron scattering, indicate that this or dered state coexists with a dimerized singlet ground state.