Magnetothermal conductivity of ErAl2 for cryogenic applications

Abstract
The thermal conductivity K of rare‐earth intermetallic compounds with magnetic ordering temperatures T0 below 100 K is a key parameter affecting their use in magnetic refrigerators and regenerators. We have measured the thermal conductivity of ErAl2, T0=12 K, between 5 and 170 K in 0‐ and 7‐T applied magnetic fields. The zero‐field results show a strong, 20‐K‐wide minimum in the thermal conductivity near the ordering temperature. The results at 7 T indicate that the magnetic field eliminates the minimum and produces a monotonic temperature dependence. We attribute these effects to magnetic scattering of electrons.