Field dependence of the magnetocaloric effect in Gd and (Er1−xDyx)Al2: Does a universal curve exist?

The field dependence of the magnetic entropy change of ferromagnetic lanthanide-based materials has been studied. The recently proposed master curve for the field dependence of the magnetocaloric effect of Fe-based amorphous alloys can also be constructed for these lanthanide-based crystalline materials, suggesting a universal behavior. The exponent n controlling the field dependence of the magnetic entropy change can be used for the interpretation of results in the case of multiple magnetic ordering phenomena.