We construct a Hamiltonian for the generation of arbitrary pure states of the quantized electromagnetic field. The proposition is based upon the fact that a unitary transformation for the generation of number states has already been found. The general unitary transformation here obtained would allow the use of nonlinear interactions for the production of pure states. We discuss the applicability of this method by giving examples of generation of simple superposition states. We also compare our Hamiltonian with the one resulting from the interaction of trapped ions with two laser fields. [S1050-2947(98)00710-0].58433493352