Phases with nominal composition La1.4Ca1.6Mn2O7, La2Ca2Mn3O10, and La2/3Ca1
/3MnO3 were prepared. Magnetisation and magneto resistance measurements for
the obtained samples as well as a careful structural characterisation indi
cated that the Ruddlesden-Popper(RP) phases with calcium are not stable. Th
e transition temperatures found for the n = 2, 3 RP phases are. respectivel
y. 170 and 202 K. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.