Glossary
Magnetocaloric Materials

Magnetic transition of the 1 order

A first-order magnetic transition is characterized by its discontinuous nature, and the derivative of the associated Gibbs free enthalpy is discontinuous. In most cases, the magnetic transition is superimposed on structural transitions such as a magnetic phase volume change or a phase transition, and two phases coexist around the magnetic transition temperature. It is often accompanied by hysteresis phenomena in the thermal and magnetic cycles linked to the coexistence of the two magnetic states.

Magnetic transition of the 2^nd order

A second-order magnetic transition is characterized by its continuous nature, with only the second derivative of the Gibbs free enthalpy being discontinuous. The transition is solely of magnetic order, there is no coexistence of several phases during the transition and the order gradually decreases...