Creation and Control of Quantum Light Emitters in 2D Flatland

Abstract: In this talk, I will highlight our recent efforts on the development of new class of 2D material-based quantum light emitters and exploit of proximity interactions in realization of chiral quantum light emitters. 2D-Quantum emitters have generated a lot of excitement for their potential in quantum information technologies. Most of the QE realized to date operate at wavelengths shorter than 1 micron.  Here I will present three new 2D quantum emitters capable of wavelength tunable single photon emission across 1000-1600 nm NIR spectral range and operation at liquid nitrogen temperatures.  The QEs were realize via strain engineering of MoTe₂,[1] WSe₂/MoS₂,[2]  and InSe₂[3]  2D materials.   Next, I will show that circularly polarized single photon emission can be achieved without the application of a high external magnetic field, injection of spin-polarized carriers and coupling to complex chiral metamaterial structures.  Our experiment shows that QE created at the same location as the magnetic defect in 2D correlated antiferromagnet, NiPS₃, can borrow magnetic properties of the magnetic defect through proximity induced exchange interaction and emit circularly polarized single photons. [4]

References:

1. Zhao, H., Pettes, M. T., Zheng, Y. & Htoon, H. Site-controlled telecom-wavelength single-photon emitters in atomically-thin MoTe2. Nature Communications 12, 1-7 (2021).
2. Zhao, H. et al. Manipulating Interlayer Excitons for Near-Infrared Quantum Light Generation. Nano Letters 23, 11006-11012 (2023).   
3. Zhao, H. et al. Telecom-wavelength Single-photon Emitters in Multi-layer InSe. Submitted to ACS Nano.  (2024)   

Li, X. et al. Proximity-induced chiral quantum light generation in strain-engineered WSe2/NiPS3 heterostructures. Nature Materials 22, 1311-1316 (2023).