Magnetocaloric effect in DyCu2

The magnetocaloric effect of the rare-earth intermetallic compound DyCu2 is explored through magnetization measurements. DyCu2 is paramagnetic at the room temperature but becomes antiferromagnetic below 27 K (Neel temperature). Strong temperature and field dependence of magnetization in DyCu2 at and around the Neel temperature lead to a large magnetocaloric effect. An appreciable magnetocaloric effect persists well above the Neel temperature probably because of the presence of short-range ferromagnetic correlations in the paramagnetic state of DyCu2. This along with the absence of magnetic hysteresis lead to a large effective refrigerant capacity of 194 J/kg below 44 K, which makes the material important as a potential magnetic refrigerant for the cryogenic liquefier cycles.