Chiral single photons from deterministic quantum emitter arrays via proximity coupling to van der Waals ferromagnets

Abstract Chiral single photons are highly sought to enhance encoding capacities or enable propagation-dependent routing in nonreciprocal devices. Unfortunately, most semiconductor quantum emitters (QEs) produce only linear polarized photons unless external magnets are applied. Magnetic proximity coupling utilizing 2D ferromagnets promises to make bulky external fields obsolete. Here we directly grow Fe-doped MoS₂ (Fe:MoS₂) via chemical vapor deposition that displays pronounced hard ferromagnetic properties even in monolayer form. This approach with monolayer ferromagnets enables full utilization of the strain from the pillar stressor to form QE in WSe₂ deterministically. The Fe:MoS₂/WSe₂ heterostructures display strong hysteretic magneto-response and high-purity chiral single photons with a circular polarization degree of 92 ± 1% (74% average) without external magnetic fields. Furthermore, the chiral single photons are robust against uncontrolled twist-angle and external stray-fields. This ability to manipulate quantum states and transform linear polarized photons into high-purity chiral photons on-chip enables nonreciprocal device integration in quantum photonics.