The first experimental realization of a magnetic ${M}_{n+1}A{X}_{n}$ (MAX) phase, $({\mathrm{Cr}}_{0.75}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{0.25}{)}_{2}\mathrm{GeC}$, is presented, synthesized as a heteroepitaxial single crystal thin film, exhibiting excellent structural quality. This self-organized atomic laminate is based on the well-known ${\mathrm{Cr}}_{2}\mathrm{GeC}$, with Mn, a new element in MAX phase research, substituting Cr. The compound was predicted using first-principles calculations, from which a variety of magnetic behavior is envisaged, depending on the Mn concentration and $\mathrm{Cr}/\mathrm{Mn}$ atomic configuration within the sublattice. The analyzed thin films display a magnetic signal at room temperature.

We present a direct magnetic imaging study on the thermal macrospin ordering of artificial kagome spin ice building blocks. Using photoemission electron microscopy, employing x-ray magnetic circular dichroism, we are able to resolve the single domain magnetic nature of the macrospins and determine the states of the combined building block structures. The nano-patterning and material selection allows thermally activated magnetization reversal for the macrospins to occur. The ordering of the macrospins is dominated by the ground state, consistent with a thermal ground state ordering. This work paves the way for the realization of extended artificial spin ice structures exhibiting experimentally accessible thermal behavior.