Large magnetic entropy changes in the Ni45.4Mn41.5In13.1 ferromagnetic shape memory alloy

The inverse magnetocaloric effect associated with the martensitic transition in the Ni45.4Mn41.5In13.1 Heusler alloy is reported. A large positive magnetic entropy change of 8 J/kg K under a low magnetic field of 10 kOe is found near the martensitic transition temperature. This change originates from the first-order transition from a low-temperature weak-magnetic martensitic phase to a high-temperature ferromagnetic austenitic phase. The large low-field magnetic entropy change indicates a great potential of Ni-Mn-In alloys as working materials for magnetic refrigeration in a wide temperature range. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.