Nonlinear Bessel vortex beams for applications

We investigate experimentally and numerically the nonlinear propagation of intense Bessel-Gauss vortices in transparent solids. We show that nonlinear Bessel-Gauss vortices preserve all properties of nonlinear Bessel-Gauss beams while their helicity provides an additional control parameter for single-shot precision micro structuring of transparent solids. For sufficiently large cone angle, a stable hollow tube of intense light is formed, generating a plasma channel whose radius and density are increasing with helicity and cone angle, respectively. We assess the potential of intense Bessel vortices for applications based on the generation of hollow plasma channels.