In this work, starting by suitable superpositions of equal-frequency Bessel beams, we develop a theoretical and experimental methodology to obtain localized stationary wave fields (with high transverse localization) whose longitudinal intensity pattern can approximately assume any desired shape within a chosen interval 0≤z ≤L of the propagation axis z. Their intensity envelope remains static, i.e., with velocity v = 0, so we have named "frozen waves" (FWs) these new solutions to the wave equations (and, in particular, to the Maxwell equation). Inside the envelope of a FW, only the carrier wave propagates. The longitudinal shape, within the interval 0 ≤z≤L, can be chosen in such a way that no nonnegligible field exists outside the predetermined region (consisting, e.g., in one or more high-intensity peaks). Our solutions are notable also for the different and interesting applications they can have - especially in electromagnetism and acoustics - such as optical tweezers, atom guides, optical or acoustic bistouries, and various important medical apparatuses. © 2005 Optical Society of America.