Spontaneous generation of voltage in Gd5(SixGe4-x) during a first-order phase transition induced by temperature or magnetic field
Abstract
The spontaneous generation of voltage has been observed during the first-order magnetic-Martensitic phase transition process in Gd5(SixGe4-x) alloys regardless of whether the transformation is triggered by temperature or magnetic field. Based on various experimental data we show that thermoelectric power is a major contributor to the observed voltage. The characteristics of the simultaneously recorded spontaneous voltage and the signal from a differential thermocouple attached to the sample are quite complex, indicating that thermal effects arising in this class of materials during the first-order phase transition are nontrivial. The unusual dynamics of both the heat release and absorption during the phase transformations in Gd5(SixGe4-x) result in the appearance of temperature gradients and, therefore, thermoelectricity.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review B
- Pub Date:
- May 2001
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevB.63.174110
- Bibcode:
- 2001PhRvB..63q4110L
- Keywords:
-
- 64.60.Ht;
- 72.90.+y;
- 75.50.Cc;
- Dynamic critical phenomena;
- Other topics in electronic transport in condensed matter;
- Other ferromagnetic metals and alloys