Innovative cryogenic cooling material using spin frustration from abundant elements

Abstract

Abstract Cryogenic cooling technology is essential for modern applications, such as magnetic resonance imaging and quantum computing; however, it currently relies heavily on critical resources such as helium and heavy rare-earth elements. As demand for cryogenic cooling increases, developing alternative technologies that reduce reliance on these scarce resources is crucial. This study introduces regenerator materials from abundant elements—copper, iron, and aluminum—that function as Gifford–McMahon (GM) cryocoolers. These materials achieve cryogenic cooling through the spin frustration effect, where competing magnetic interactions enhance magnetic heat capacity. CuFe₁₋ₓAlₓO₂ demonstrates effective cooling capacity at the helium condensation temperature comparable with that of conventional heavy rare-earth-based materials and surpasses the performance specifications of commercial GM cryocoolers. These findings demonstrate the potential of non-rare-earth magnetic materials for sustainable cryogenic technology, reducing dependence on critical resources.