Quantum-scissors device for optical state truncation: A proposal for practical realization - art. no. 063818

We propose a realizable experimental scheme to prepare superposition of the vacuum and one-photon states by truncating an input coherent state. The sc heme is based on the quantum scissors device proposed by Pegg, Phillips, an d Barnett [Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 1604 (1998)] and uses photon-counting detec tors, a single photon source, and linear optical elements. Realistic featur es of the photon counting and single-photon generation are taken into accou nt and possible error sources are discussed together with their effect on t he fidelity and efficiency of the truncation process. Wigner function and p hase distribution of the generated states are given and discussed for the e valuation of the proposed scheme.