We present a scheme of quantum state truncation in the Fock basis (quantum scissors), based on the combined action of a nondegenerate optical parametric amplifier and a beam splitter. Differently from previously proposed linear-optics-based quantum scissors devices, which depend on reliable Fock state sources, our scheme requires only readily available Gaussian states, such as coherent state inputs (vacuum state included). A truncated state is generated after performing photodetections in the global state. We find that, depending on which output ports each of the two photodetectors is positioned, different types of truncated states may be produced: (i) states having a maximum Fock number of $N$, or (ii) states having a minimum Fock number $N$. In order to illustrate our method, we discuss an example having as input states a coherent state in the beam splitter and vacuum states in the amplifier, and show that the resulting truncated states display nonclassical properties, such as sub-Poissonian statistics and squeezing. We quantify the nonclassicality degree of the generated states using the Wigner-Yanase skew information measure. For complementarity, we discuss the efficiency of the protocol, e.g., generation probability as well as the effects of imperfections such as the detector's quantum efficiency and dark counts rate.

• Received 1 May 2021
• Revised 1 August 2021
• Accepted 7 September 2021

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.104.033715