Artificial gauge field for photons in coupled cavity arrays

We propose and characterize solid-state photonic structures where light experiences an artificial gauge field. A nontrivial phase for photons tunneling between adjacent sites of a coupled cavity array can be obtained by inserting optically active materials in the structure or by inducing a suitable coupling of the propagation and polarization degrees of freedom. We also discuss the feasibility of observing strong gauge field effects in the optical spectra of realistic systems, including the Hofstadter butterfly spectrum.