Orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light is a fundamental optical degree offreedom that has recently motivated much exciting research in diverse fieldsranging from optical communication to quantum information. We show for thefirst time that it is also a unique and valuable resource for quantumsimulation, by demonstrating theoretically how \emph{2d} topological physicscan be simulated in a \emph{1d} array of optical cavities using OAM-carryingphotons. Remarkably, this newly discovered application of OAM states not onlyreduces required physical resources but also increases feasible scale ofsimulation. By showing how important topics such as edge-state transport andtopological phase transition can be studied in a small simulator with just afew cavities ready for immediate experimental exploration, we demonstrate theprospect of photonic OAM for quantum simulation which can have a significantimpact on the research of topological physics.
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