Magnetocaloric and barocaloric effects in a Gd₅Si₂Ge₂ compound

The first-order phase transition in Gd₅Si₂Ge₂ is sensitive to both magnetic field and pressure. It may indicate that the influences of the magnetic field and the pressure on the phase transition are virtually equivalent. Moreover, theoretical analyses reveal that the total entropy change is almost definite at a certain Curie temperature no matter whether the applied external field is a magnetic field or a pressure. The entropy change curve can be broadened dramatically under pressure, and the refrigerant capacity is improved from 284.7 J/kg to 447.0 J/kg.