Magnetocaloric effect in Ni-Mn-X (X = Ga, In, Sn, Sb) Heusler alloys

Abstract

A review is given of experimental and theoretical works concerning the investigation of magnetic and structural phase transitions and of the magnetocaloric effect in Ni-Mn-X (X = Ga, In, Sn, Sb) Heusler alloys possessing unique properties, such as the existence of coupled magnetostructural and metamagneto-structural phase transitions, giant magnetocaloric effect, shape-memory effect in the ferromagnetic state, giant magnetodeformation and magnetoresistance, exchange anisotropy. A conclusion is made that the Heusler alloys, because of their unique properties, are promising for the application in various engineering devices, including technology of magnetic refrigeration.