Near-coherent quantum emitters in hexagonal boron nitride with discrete polarization axes

Abstract: Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) has recently gained attention as a solid state host of quantum emitters. However, hBN emitters reported to date lack the properties needed for their deployment in scalable quantum technologies. Here we employ spectral hole burning spectroscopy and resonant polarization measurements to observe nearly-coherent hBN quantum emitters, both as singles and in ensembles, with three discrete polarization axes indicative of a C2v symmetry defect. Our results constitute an important milestone towards the implementation of hBN quantum emitters in integrated quantum photonics.