Mean-Field Approximation Analysis of Magnetocaloric Effect in Rare-Earth Materials

Abstract

This paper describes the results of a computer simulation analysis ofthe magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in rare earth metals and rare earthbased materials. The analysis was previously developed for calculatingpeak values of the MCE in rare earth magnets using a mean-fieldapproximation. This study concentrates on the variation of the keythermodynamic parameters such as magnetic field, temperature, Curie andDebye temperatures of the magnets in wide range of their values. Theresults of theoretical studies of the MCE in large magnetic fields aredescribed. The possible mechanisms of magnetic entropy change in aparaprocess region are discussed. The study shows strong influence ofthe Debye temperature of the magnets on the MCE value in the widetemperature region (from 4.2 K to 200-230 K).