ABSTRACT
The rare earth metals and their alloys were the second objects after 3d metals where magnetocaloric properties were intensively investigated. This is related to the existence of different magnetic structures and transitions in these materials, the high values of their magnetization and the localized nature of the rare earth ion magnetic moment. The latter makes rare earth metals and alloys a convenient model object for magnetic investigations. A large variety of magnetic structures are provided by oscillating indirect exchange interactions between localized 4f magnetic moments mediated in the rare earth metals via conduction electrons. Alloying of different rare earth elements allows us to vary magnetic transition temperatures, types of magnetic phase and magnetic transitions.
