  With the aim of improving the performance of classical paramagnetic salts for
adiabatic refrigeration processes at the sub-Kelvin range, relevant
thermodynamic parameters of some new Yb-based intermetallic compounds are
analyzed and compared. Two alternative potential applications are recognized,
like those requiring fixed temperature reference points to be reached applying
low intensity magnetic fields and those requiring controlled thermal drift for
temperature dependent studies. Different thermomagnetic entropy S(T,B)
trajectories were identified depending on respective specific heat behaviors at
very low temperature. To gain insight into the criteria to be used for a proper
choice of suitable materials in respective applications, some simple
relationships are proposed to facilitate a comparative description of their
magnetocaloric behavior, including the referent Cerium-Magnesium-Nitride (CMN)
salt in these comparisons
