Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects of Mn5G3-xGax

We report on the magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects of Mn_5Ge_{3-x}Ga_x compounds with x=0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.9. All samples crystallize in the hexagonal Mn_5Si_3-type structure with space group P6_3/mcm and order ferromagnetically. The Curie temperature of these compounds decreases with increasing x, from 306K (x=0.1) to 274K (x=0.9). The average Mn magnetic moments increases with increasing Ga content, reaching a maximum value at x=0.6. The magnetic entropy changes in these compounds are determined from the temperature and field dependence of the magnetization using the thermodynamic Maxwell relation. The Ga substitution has two kinds of influence on the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of Mn_5Ge_3. One is that the magnitude of the magnetic entropy change decreases, the other is that the MCE peak becomes broadened.