Experimental methods of the magnetocaloric effect studies

• The direct and indirect methods of the MCE investigation are reviewed.
• The realization of the dynamic mode of the direct measurements is considered.
• The experimental apparatus for direct ΔT measurements in dynamic mode is presented.
• The high sensitive measurements are possible due to the lock-in amplifier.
• The setup allows to measure temperature and field dependences of the heat capacity.

The methods of experimental investigations of the magnetocaloric parameters (adiabatic temperature change and isothermal magnetic entropy change caused by external magnetic field) are reviewed and discussed. The direct and indirect methods are compared and their advantages and disadvantages are considered. Possible influence of the used methods on the obtained results is regarded. The main attention is paid to the direct methods of measurements. The realization of the dynamic mode of the direct adiabatic temperature change measurement is considered. Importance of the magnetocaloric measurements in dynamic mode for characterization of the magnetocaloric materials suitable for using as working bodies in magnetic heat machines is shown. The methods of the experimental data processing are discussed.