Magnetocaloric effect of Ho-, Dy-, and Er-based bulk metallic glasses in helium and hydrogen liquefaction temperature range

The authors study the magnetocaloric effect and refrigerant capacity of Ho30Y26Al24Co20, Dy50Gd7Al23Co20, and Er50Al24Co20Y6 bulk metallic glasses. Their magnetic entropy changes associated with spin glass to paramagnetic transition are larger than those of Gd, Gd5Si2Ge1.9Fe0.1, and many other intermetallic compounds reported in the same temperature range. The good refrigerant efficiency combined with their high electrical resistivity, high thermal stability, outstanding mechanical properties, and tunable nature makes these glassy materials be attractive candidates for magnetic refrigerants in helium and hydrogen liquefaction temperature range of 2-50 K. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics.