Dynamic heat capacity of perovskite manganites: calorimetric evidence for a first order transition and its implication to the magnetocaloric effect

Finding a solid material with a large value of the magnetocaloric effect near room temperature is of exceeding importance, since this would lead to the development of more compact and environmentally safer cooling systems. Recently, manganites become the focus of attention due to its large magnetocaloric effect. We demonstrate, via dynamic calorimetric measurements, that the large magnetocaloric effect in perovskite manganites stems from the first-order nature of the magnetic transition. Our results offer a clue in search for ideal magnetocaloric materials working in the vicinity of room temperature.