Abstract
We present direct evidence that the giant magnetocaloric effect recently discovered in the alloy is associated with a field-induced first-order structural transition from a monoclinic (paramagnetic) to a Pnma orthorhombic (ferromagnetic) structure. A large volume contraction of takes place spontaneously at the transition temperature, The reported structural transition can be induced reversibly by application of an external magnetic field, producing strong magnetoelastic effects.
- Received 17 September 1998
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.58.R14721
©1998 American Physical Society