Low-field induced giant magnetocaloric effect in TmCuAl compound

A giant low field reversible magnetocaloric effect has been observed in TmCuAl compound around 4 K, which is the boiling point of helium. The maximum value of magnetic entropy change (−ΔSMmax) and adiabatic temperature change (ΔTadmax) is 17.2 J/Kg K and 4.6 K without thermal and field hysteresis loss, for field changes of 0–2 T, respectively. Especially, the giant value of −ΔSMmax (12.2 J/Kg K) is obtained for a field change of 0-1 T. The results indicate that the TmCuAl compound could be considered as a good candidate material for low-temperature and low-field magnetic refrigerant.