Magnetocaloric properties of the Ni 2Mn 1-x(Cu,Co) xGa Heusler alloys

We have investigated the magnetocaloric properties on the Ni2 Mn1-x Ax Ga Heusler alloys with partial substitution of Mn by A=Co (x=0.10, 0.20, and 0.30) and Cu (x=0.15 and 0.20) in the vicinity of the martensitic transition by measuring magnetization curves at magnetic field up to 20 kOe and in the temperature range of 250-300 K. The changes of the magnetic part of entropy dependence on magnetic field and temperature have been evaluated. © 2006 American Institute of Physics