The isothermal variation of the entropy (ΔST) may be miscalculated from magnetization isotherms in some cases: MnAs and Gd5Ge2Si2 compounds as examples

AbstractThe determination of the isothermal variation of the entropy (ΔST) is discussed in the present work. We show that ΔST has very different profiles and magnitudes when calculated from M vs. H or M vs. T experimental data. For MnAs compound, ΔST obtained from M vs. T data does not present a colossal peak. This result and the agreement between theoretical and experimental non-colossal magnetocaloric effect indicate that the colossal peak may be miscalculated from M vs. H experimental data. For Gd5Ge2Si2 compound, ΔST obtained from M vs. T data does not present the peak observed in ΔST from M vs. H data