Vectorial complex-source vortex beams

The scalar complex source vortex model is an accurate description of highly focused scalar vortices. We use it to construct a variety of vectorial solutions of Maxwell's equations describing highly focused and variously polarized vector vortex beams accurately. Three different families of optical vector vortex beams are presented and studied in detail. In this model, optical vortices derived within Cartesian symmetry correspond to circularly and linearly polarized highly focused vortex beams in the focus of a high numerical aperture focusing system. In addition, we report on vortical complex-source beams derived within cylindrical and spherical symmetries which exhibit very special and intriguing properties.