Variations of magnetocaloric effect and magnetoresistance across RCuGe (R=Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) compounds

RCuGe (R=Tb–Er) compounds have been studied by structural, magnetic, magnetocaloric and magnetotransport measurements. All these compounds are iso-structural and show antiferromagnetic ordering below their Néel temperatures (T_N). Except TbCuGe, all the studied compounds show large magnetocaloric effect (MCE), arising due to the field induced metamagnetic transition. They also show a sign reversal of magnetoresistance (MR) with change in temperature or field. The non-monotonic variation of the magnitude of MR is attributed to the competing effects of Lorentz force, changes in the spin disorder scattering and the spin fluctuations. - Highlights: • RCuGe (R=Tb–Er) compounds show low temperature antiferromagnetic ordering. • All compounds show field induced metamagnetic transitions. • These compounds show large magnetocaloric effect and magnetoresistance