Magnetoresistance and magnetocaloric effect at a structural phase transition from a paramagnetic martensitic state to a paramagnetic austenitic state in Ni₅₀ Mn_36.5 In_13.5 Heusler alloys

It is established, using magnetization measurements, that Ni₅₀ Mn_36.5 In_13.5 is in a paramagnetic state (PS) above and below the martensitic transition temperature (TM. Magnetoresistance (MR) and magnetic entropy changes (Δ _SM) in the vicinity of _TM were studied. MR and Δ _SM at _TM were found to be ≈-8% and ≈+24 J Kg^-1 K^-1, respectively, at ΔH=5 T. Although MR and Δ SM values were lower than compared to those found in other Heusler systems, the significantly smaller hysteresis observed in Ni₅₀ Mn_36.5 In_13.5 makes this compound, and other such compounds that undergo a martensitic transition in a PS, promising for the study and applications of magnetocaloric magnetic materials.