Magnetic Field Influence on Er 3 Ni Specific Heat

Er 3 Ni specific heat in 0, 1, 3, and 4.3 T magnetic fields was measured. The specific heat curves for 0 T and 1 T have a single peak due to magnetic phase transition, but those for 3 T and 4.3 T have no peak. Er 3 Ni specific heat decreases with increasing magnetic field around its ordering temperature, but increases in the higher-temperature region. Using the measured specific heat data, regenerator efficiency and cooling power were calculated to estimate the specific heat reduction influence due to a magnetic field on the Er 3 Ni regenerator performance. The results show that efficiency and cooling power in the practical leaking magnetic field are almost the same as those in 0 T.