Influence of plastic deformation on the magnetic properties of Heusler MnAu 2 Al

The Heulser intermetallic ${\mathrm{MnAu}}_{2}\mathrm{Al}$ is shown to undergo a dramatic change in net magnetization in response to plastic deformation. A mechanism is proposed involving antiferromagnetic interactions in the otherwise ferromagnetic compound (when ordered) that arise due to chemical changes at the antiphase boundaries created by the deformation. The coupling between chemical and magnetic order across antiphase boundaries is likely to occur in other ordered magnetic systems and may provide an explanation for otherwise anomalous magnetic behavior across several systems, including other Heusler intermetallics.