  We propose and demonstrate a method to produce a thin and highly collimated
annular beam that propagates similarly to an ideal thin Gaussian ring beam,
maintaining its excellent propagation properties. Our optical configuration is
composed of a binary axicon - a circular binary phase grating, and a lens,
making it robust and well suited for high-power lasers. It has a near-perfect
circular profile with a dark center, and its large radius to waist ratio is
achieved with high conversion efficiency. The measured profile and propagation
are in excellent agreement with a numerical Fourier simulation we perform.
