Magnetic Order Change and Proximity Coupling of Chiral Quantum Emitters in Nano-Indented van der Waals Heterostructures

The development of robust, deterministically placeable, quantum light emitters (QEs) represents a critical need for the development of solid-state photonic quantum technologies. To build complex quantum networks, highly chiral QEs are necessary. Previously, we have reported that strain engineering can create chiral QEs in WSe₂/NiPS₃ heterostructures due to local strain-introduced proximity effects. The origin of this discovery, however, is not well understood. Here, we present recent experimental findings addressing the fundamental puzzles. We show the direct evidence of magnetic order change after nano-indentation on NiPS₃ by employing scanning NV microscopy which is consistent with the temperature-dependent magneto-PL studies. In addition, we have also extended the nano-indentation technique to other family members of TMPX₃ and strikingly we observe proximity-induced chiral QEs here as well. These new discoveries establish TMD/TMPX₃ heterostructures as exciting material platforms for the further exploration of novel emergent phenomena and the realization of solid-state quantum transduction and sensing technologies.