Calculation of the intensity at the sharp focus of a cylindrical vector beam by three methods

We conduct a comparative analysis of diffraction fields upon sharply focusing vortex and non-vortex incident beams, calculated using three non-paraxial methods. The methods employed are a finite difference time domain (FDTD) method, a Rayleigh–Sommerfeld integral, and a Richards–Wolf transformation. The Richards–Wolf transformation is used with two apodization functions of the exit pupil, for a spherical lens and a thin diffractive lens. The numerical simula-tion shows that the Rayleigh–Sommerfeld integral and the Richards–Wolf transformation can produce almost the same result and save time significantly. Meanwhile, the root-mean-square deviation of the results of both methods from the FDTD method can be as low as 2%. If an ultra-short focal length is used, the Richards–Wolf transformation is found to be more accurate, whereas with increasing distance from the initial plane and outside the focal plane, the Rayleigh–Sommerfeld integral is more accurate.