Phase transition processes and magnetocaloric effects in the Heusler alloys NiMnGa with concurrence of magnetic and structural phase transition

The Ni2MnGa-based Heusler alloys with high magnetocaloric effect have attracted considerable attention as a promising magnetic refrigerant. The phase-transition processes and magnetic entropy changes in the NiMnGa alloys with the concurrence of magnetic and structural phase transitions were studied. The ac magnetic susceptibility results showed the magnetic transition occurred during the reverse martensitic phase transition in the Ni55.5Mn20Ga24.5 alloy and the direct transition from the ferromagnetic matrensitic phase to the paramagnetic austenitic phase occurred in the Ni54.9Mn20.5Ga24.6 alloy. When the magnetic field had changed to 2 T, a comparable large magnetic entropy change was observed in both the Ni55.5Mn20Ga24.5 and Ni54.9Mn20.5Ga24.6 alloys, which is speculated as the result of the discontinuous change of magnetization near the phase transition.