Monte Carlo simulations of magnetocaloric effect of Heusler shape memory Ni-Mn-Ga alloys.

A three-dimensional Monte Carlo model has been used for theoretical description of magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of Ni(2+x)Mn(1-x)Ga Heusler alloys undergoing first order magnetostructural phase transitions. By the help of theoretical model the temperature dependences of the magnetization, heat capacity, entropy and the isothermal entropy change for magnetic field variation from 0 to 5 T are obtained. All quantities are in good agreement with the available experimental data.