Proximity Induced Chiral Quantum Light Generation in Strain Engineered WSe₂/MPX₃ Heterostructures

We report free-space generation of highly chiral single photons from QEs created via nanoindentation of monolayer WSe2 - NiPS3 heterostructures at zero external magnetic field. These QEs emit with a degree of circular polarization and single photon purity as high as 0.89 and 80% respectively, independent of pump laser polarization. The chiral quantum light emission arises from magnetic proximity interactions between localized excitons in the WSe₂ monolayer and the out-of-plane magnetization of defects in antiferromagnetic (AFM) order of NiPS.