The Magnetocaloric Effect in Ni-Mn-X (X=Ga, in) Heusler Alloys and Manganites with Magnetic Transition close to Room Temperature

The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in theNi2+xMn1-xGa (x = 0.33, 0.36, 0.39), Ni50Mn25In25, Ni54Mn21Ga18In7, Ni53.5Mn21.5Ga16In9, Ni45Co5Mn36.5In13.5 Heusler alloys and in the La0.7BayCa0.3-yMnO3 (y = 0.12, 0.24, 0.3) manganites at the Curie points have been measured by the direct method. For the magnetic field change H = 2 T, the maximal adiabatic temperature change Tad in the Ni2+xMn1-xGa alloys is larger than 0.6 K. For the Ni50Mn25In25 alloy the maximal value of Tad = 1.51 K (for the same magnetic field change H = 2 T) is observed at the magnetic phase transition temperature.