The ability to create and manipulate materials in two-dimensional (2D) form has repeatedly had a transformative impact on science and technology. In parallel with the exfoliation and stacking of intrinsically layered crystals, the atomic-scale thin film growth of complex materials has enabled the creation of artificial 2D heterostructures with emergent phenomena, as seen in perovskite oxides. We present a general method to create freestanding complex oxide membranes and heterostructures with millimeter-scale lateral dimensions and nanometer-scale thickness [1]. This facilitates many new opportunities we are beginning to explore, and here we focus on probing the nanomechanical response and the application of extreme strain states [2]. The presentation will also discuss the potential approaches to design the membrane-based heterostructures in conjunction with broader 2D materials.

[1] D. Lu et al., Nature Materials 15, 1255 (2016).
[2] S.S. Hong et al., Science 368, 71 (2020).