Summers, Adam M.Yu, XiaomingWang, XinyaRaoul, MaximeNelson, JoshTodd, DanielZigo, StefanLei, ShutingTrallero-Herrero, Carlos A.2020-06-172020-06-172017-02-06https://hdl.handle.net/2097/40722We present a compact, simple design for the generation and tuning of both the spot size and effective focal length of Bessel-like beams. In particular, this setup provides an important tool for the use of Bessel-like beams with high-power, femtosecond laser systems. Using a shallow angle axicon in conjunction with a spherical lens, we show that it is possible to focus Bessel-like modes to comparable focal spot sizes to sharp axicons while maintaining a long effective focal length. The resulting focal profiles are characterized in detail using an accurate high dynamic range imaging technique. Quantitatively, we introduce a metric (R0.8) which defines the spot-size containing 80% of the total energy. Our setup overcomes the typical compromise between long working distances and small spot sizes. This is particularly relevant for strong-field physics where most experiments must operate in vacuum.This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=enhttps://www.osapublishing.org/submit/review/copyright_permissions.cfmLaser beamsLaser lightLaser sourcesLaser systemsText