Magnetocaloric effect and phase separation in Ni$_{50}$Mn$_{35}$Sb$_{15-x}$Ge$_x$ ($x = 0, 2, 3$) alloys

Experimental data on the magnetocaloric effect in Ni$_{50}$Mn$_{35}$Sb$_{15-x}$Ge$_x$ ($x = 0, 2, 3$) Heusler alloys are considered. The theoretical interpretation of these results, including temperature dependences of entropy changes in the investigated alloys in the magnetic field, is performed considering the electronic and magnetic phase separation during the first-order transition.