Direct measurements of the magneto-caloric effect of MnFe4Si3 in pulsed magnetic fields.

We have studied the magnetic and magnetocaloric response of MnFe 4 Si 3 to pulsed and static magnetic fields up to 50 T. We determine the adiabatic temperature change ΔT ad directly in pulsed fields and compare to the results of magnetization and specific heat measurements in static magnetic fields. The high ability of cycling even in fields μ 0 H = 50 T confirms the high structural stability of MnFe 4 Si 3 against field changes, an important property for applications. The magnetic response to magnetic fields up to μ 0 H = 35 T shows that the anisotropy can be overcome by fields of approx. 4 T. • Magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of single crystalline MnFe 4 Si 3 have been studied in pulsed and static fields. The adiabatic temperature change ∆T ad determined directly in pulsed fields is in good agreement to the results of magnetization and specific heat measurements in static magnetic fields. • Direct measurement of the adiabatic temperature change using pulsed magnetic fields is an excellent technique for the evaluation of the magnetocaloric effect, as it provides nearly adiabatic conditions and an experimental situation that is close to the one present in real applications. • The compound MnFe 4 Si 3 shows high cyclability even in very high fields which confirms its high structural stability against field changes, an important property for applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]