Generation of a Bessel beam of variable spot size.

We report the generation of a zero-order Bessel beam of continuously variable spot size using a simple optical setup. We have used a pair of metal axicon mirrors to generate a hollow beam of variable dark diameter. This beam was subsequently focused by a convex lens to get a Bessel beam of variable spot size. We also studied the effect of a hollow-beam ring width on nondiffracting propagation range of the generated beam.