Magnetocaloric Effect in Nanosystems Based on Ferromagnets with Different Curie Temperatures

Abstract

Abstract The magnetocaloric effect in nanosystems based on exchange-coupled ferromagnets with different Curie temperatures is calculated within the mean-field theory. Good agreement between the results of the mean-field theory and the Landau theory, valid near the critical phase transition temperature, is demonstrated for a flat-layered Fe/Gd/Fe structure. We show that a high magnetic cooling efficiency in this system is attainable in principle and prove the validity of the Maxwell relation, enabling an experimental verification of the predictions made. The theory developed for flat-layered structures is generalized to a granular medium.