Generation of high-order Bessel beams by use of an axicon

We demonstrate and analyse a method for efficiently generating a high-order Bessel beam of arbitrary order by illuminating an axicon with the appropriate Laguerre-Gaussian light beam. High-order Bessel beams offer distinct advantages over other 'hollow' light beams for atom guiding. Our high-order Bessel beam generation technique offers a direct method for coupling cold atoms into this optical atom guide. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.