Phase behavior of BaLn(2)Mn(2)O(7) (Ln = rare earth) with a layered perovskite structure

Many phases appear in BaLn(2)Mn(2)O(7) family (Ln = rare earth) belonging to one of the Ruddlesden-Popper type compounds, depending upon the experimental conditions such as heating conditions when prepared and composition. Some of these phases were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction method using Rietveld analysis. These phases have only a little difference in crystal structure which has fundamentally K2NiF4 type structure, although the X-ray diffraction patterns are clearly different: a little deformation or tilting of the oxygen octahedron surrounding a central manganese ion composing the main frame of this structure induce these different diffraction patterns. Phase behavior of these compounds, mainly the detailed relation between various phases in BaTb2Mn2O7, was refined including the data of high temperature X-ray diffractometry.