The paper explores the implementation of robust photonic devices using topological properties of optical systems. The authors demonstrate how quantum spin Hall Hamiltonians can be created with linear optical elements using a network of coupled resonator optical waveguides (CROW) in two dimensions. They show that key features of quantum Hall systems, such as the Hofstadter butterfly and robust edge state transport, can be achieved in such systems. Specifically, they demonstrate that topological protection can significantly improve the performance of optical delay lines and overcome limitations related to disorder in photonic technologies. The system is designed to simulate a 2D magnetic tight-binding Hamiltonian with degenerate clockwise and counter-clockwise modes, which behave analogously to spins with spin-orbit coupling. By tuning the phase of the connecting waveguides, the system can be arranged to have a uniform phase difference around each plaquette, creating a synthetic magnetic field. The authors also investigate the robustness of the system to disorder, showing that edge states are immune to disorder, unlike in 1D systems where disorder leads to localization. They compare the transport properties of their photonic quantum Hall system to CROW, demonstrating that the photonic system exhibits noiseless transport with delays comparable to CROW. The paper concludes by discussing the potential applications of this system in photonic delay lines and the exploration of various fundamental quantum Hall phenomena.The paper explores the implementation of robust photonic devices using topological properties of optical systems. The authors demonstrate how quantum spin Hall Hamiltonians can be created with linear optical elements using a network of coupled resonator optical waveguides (CROW) in two dimensions. They show that key features of quantum Hall systems, such as the Hofstadter butterfly and robust edge state transport, can be achieved in such systems. Specifically, they demonstrate that topological protection can significantly improve the performance of optical delay lines and overcome limitations related to disorder in photonic technologies. The system is designed to simulate a 2D magnetic tight-binding Hamiltonian with degenerate clockwise and counter-clockwise modes, which behave analogously to spins with spin-orbit coupling. By tuning the phase of the connecting waveguides, the system can be arranged to have a uniform phase difference around each plaquette, creating a synthetic magnetic field. The authors also investigate the robustness of the system to disorder, showing that edge states are immune to disorder, unlike in 1D systems where disorder leads to localization. They compare the transport properties of their photonic quantum Hall system to CROW, demonstrating that the photonic system exhibits noiseless transport with delays comparable to CROW. The paper concludes by discussing the potential applications of this system in photonic delay lines and the exploration of various fundamental quantum Hall phenomena.