  We propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel experimental scheme to
generate high peak power, segmented, smooth, zero-order Bessel beams with
tunable range. Illuminating the axicon with hollow Gaussian beams (HGBs) of
different orders we have generated Bessel beams of varying range at different
positions away from the axicon. The presence of dark core at the center of the
HGBs removes the effect of imperfection in the axicon tip. As a result, the
entire power of the input beam is transformed into zero-order Bessel beam
without any on-axis intensity modulation. We observe the decrease in range and
increase in peak power of the zero-order Bessel beam with the order of HGBs.
Controlling the superposition of the HGBs of different orders to the axicon we
have demonstrated the increase in the range of the Bessel beam. The current
technique can also produce Bessel beams of different intensity distribution
including single peak or multiple peak Bessel beams. Using single-pass second
harmonic generation in nonlinear crystals of different lengths we have further
verified the increase of peak power of the Bessel beam with the order of the
HGBs and also the increase in the range of the Bessel beam due to the
superposed HGBs. The generic experimental scheme can be used at different
wavelengths and timescales (continuous-wave to ultrafast).
