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New type of magnetocaloric effect: Implications on low-temperature magnetic refrigeration using an Ericsson cycle

Journal Article · · Applied Physics Letters; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.111459· OSTI ID:7274371
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Ames Laboratory and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011-3020 (United States)

The low-temperature, high magnetic field heat capacity (1.5 to 70 K and 0 to 9.85 T), dc and ac magnetic behaviors of the compound (Gd[sub 0.54]Er[sub 0.46])AlNi show that field-induced magnetic entropy change is significant and almost constant over the temperature region of [similar to]15 to [similar to]45 K. The resulting temperature dependence of the magnetocaloric effect, nearly constant over a 30+ K temperature range, is unprecedented (most magnetic materials have a caretlike shape temperature dependence). These data show that (Gd[sub 0.54]Er[sub 0.46])AlNi can be used as an effective active magnetic regenerator material for an Ericsson-cycle magnetic refrigerator, and could substitute for complex composite layered materials suggested earlier.

DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-82
OSTI ID:
7274371
Journal Information:
Applied Physics Letters; (United States), Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters; (United States) Vol. 64:20; ISSN APPLAB; ISSN 0003-6951
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English