A vertically oriented zero order Bessel light beam is shown to create a one-dimensional array of trapped particles over extended (millimeter) distances. The particles take up equilibrium positions over the entire length of the beam and this is a consequence of the interplay between optical scattering and the self-healing properties of the Bessel beam. This work has analogies to recent studies of optically bound matter and allows for the simple creation of one-dimensional particle chains and their subsequent spectroscopic analysis.
Using computer simulations we explore the dynamics of nonlinear pulsed Bessel-like beams arising from axicon-focused Gaussian beams and circularly apodized beams propagating in air. These pulses exhibit similar self-action. We also note that noninear behavior can occur for these pulses in the absence of significant plasma density. This is especially interesting in light of recent experimental observations of self-guiding without plasma.
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