Magnetocaloric effect in mixed rare earth manganite Gd0.5Dy0.5MnO3

Single phase, polycrystalline mixed rare earth manganite Gd0.5Dy0.5MnO3 (orthorhombic, Pbnm) has been prepared by solid state reaction. Magnetization vs temperature data measured in 100 Oe field shows a weak cusp and a tendency to order around 5 K. Paramagnetic susceptibility shows Curie-Weiss behaviour. Magnetocaloric effect (MCE) has been estimated in terms of isothermal magnetic entropy change (Delta S-m). The maximum value of Delta S-m is about -13.4 Jkg(-1)K(-1) at 8 K for a field change of 70 kOe.