Abstract: A type of partially coherent and non-uniformly totally polarized sources is proposed. This type of sources belongs to those with cosine-circular coherence, that is, they present a cosine-type dependence on the square of the distances of the points from the source center. On the other hand, these sources are endowed with a non-uniform polarization pattern across their transverse section. In particular, the electric field is linearly polarized at each point of the transverse section and symmetrically oriented with respect to the source center, so that the electric field lines form spirals. These sources will be denoted as “Spirally polarized sources with cosine-circular coherence”. Simple analytical expression for the generated field upon free propagation under paraxial conditions are derived. The intensity and polarization at a typical plane z=const. is studied. It is demonstrated that, under particular conditions, these type of fields remains spirally polarized and with a donut intensity profile at each plane z=const. A simple procedure of synthesis of such sources is also schematized.

Keywords: Polarization, Coherence, Propagation, Physical optics, Statistical optics.

.__________________________________________________________________________________________