ИСТИНА

Polycrystalline, MgCu2-type multicomponent Laves phase intermetallic compound Gd0.2Tb0.2Dy0.2Ho0.2Er0.2Al2 (Cubic, space group Fd-3m, cF24) orders ferromagnetically at ~80 K (TC). The TC is found to be approximately equal to the average of ferromagnetic transition temperatures of the individual components RAl2 (R = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er). Heat capacity shows a lambda-type transition around TC. The second order nature of the transition has been confirmed by plotting universal curve with the isothermal magnetic entropy change vs temperature data. Electrical resistivity is metal-like in the paramagnetic region. Both electrical resistance and thermopower shows a slope change near TC. Temperature dependence of thermal conductivity of Gd0.2Tb0.2Dy0.2Ho0.2Er0.2Al2 is as that of a metal.