Hysteresis in Temperature- and Magnetic Field-Induced Martensitic Phase Transitions in Ni-Mn-Sn Heusler Alloys
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We have investigated the hysteresis of the temperature- and field-induced phase transition of Ni50.5Mn34.0Sn15.6. Specifically, we have characterized the fraction of martensite and parent present along a variety of complex temperature and magnetic field paths, using magnetization as a proxy for phase fractions. We demonstrate that both temperature and magnetic field are thermodynamically equivalent driving forces for the phase transition and result in complementary hysteresis behavior. Additionally, we report that the effective magnetocaloric effect is limited by both large hysteresis losses, as well as the limited extents of phase transformation occurring upon application and removal of a magnetic field. Our results suggest that the hysteresis behavior of a material is critical in evaluating its potential as a functional magnetic refrigerant. 2009 Materials Research Society.