Majumdar, ArkaTrivedi, RahulSaxena, Abhi2023-09-272023-09-272023-09-272023Saxena_washington_0250E_25484.pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/1773/50789Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2023Quantum simulators are devices made up of quantum mechanical components that can be used to study otherwise hard-to-probe quantum systems in a laboratory environment. These work by implementing Hamiltonians that accurately describe complex quantum phenomena and allow full control over the underlying parameters dictating the physics. Using photons as particles to study various physical phenomena forms the basis of some of the most promising paradigms for realizing these quantum simulators. A typical photonic quantum simulator consists of a lattice of programmable non-linear resonators, also called coupled cavity arrays (CCAs), with complete access to the Hamiltonian being simulated. While recently, numerous works on quantum simulation with microwave photons have attracted popular attention, using higher-energy optical photons can provide several additional advantages. In this thesis, we engineer photonic CCAs operating in the optical regime, which can be used for various quantum applications. For photonic CCAs to be used as quantum simulators, they need to be scalable, measurable, and controllable. In this work, we go over approaches satisfying each of these criteria. First, we tackle the scalability requirement by demonstrating photonic CCAs implementing the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model describing a polyacetylene molecule. We discuss the operation regime we need to be in for optical CCAs to be scalable to a large number of sites and use the SSH Hamiltonian as a toy model to depict the photonic design requirements that need to be met to do so. We then discuss the measurability of the realized CCAs by proposing algorithms to perform tomography of the implemented Hamiltonians by measuring only at the sites forming the outermost boundaries of these lattices. Next, we focus on adding controllability to our photonic CCAs and, to that end, develop novel thermo-optical heaters that allow us to have active control over the implemented Hamiltonian parameters. Finally, we conclude the thesis by briefly proposing a paradigm whereby, following the approach outlined in this work and utilizing the recent advancements in integrating novel quantum emitters with photonic cavities, we can realize truly scalable photonic quantum simulators.application/pdfen-USCC BY-NCCavity ArraysPhotonicsQuantum SimulationThermo-optic HeatersTomographyElectrical engineeringElectrical and computer engineeringThesis